JOHAN Mjallby refuses to recognise this afternoon’s Championship finale against Birmingham City as a “dead rubber”.
The Wanderers assistant manager believes his players owe fans at the Macron Stadium a farewell victory after a season of turmoil.
And while little rides on the outcome of the final 90 minutes, Mjallby has warned certain individuals that they cannot be any let-up after Monday’s disappointment at Bournemouth.
“That night wasn’t good enough,” he said of Monday’s 3-0 defeat. “If there was a lack of focus, then it had better not happen again.
“The way I grew up, every time you lace up your boots and go on to the pitch, you give your all. If you’re not ready to do that, then there’s something wrong with you.”
Mjallby thinks the game will be an open affair, with both sides well clear of trouble at the foot of the table.
“We’re safe, the pressure is off, but it’s been great for us as coaches to see how certain players cope with that,” he said.
“As a supporter you should expect an open game. The pressure is off for both of them.
“Players should be able to express themselves but we should want to give the supporters something to be happy about before we go off on holiday and hopefully we’re going to show a true Bolton Wanderers next season.”
But the Swede admits the last few months have been a major disappointment for Neil Lennon and the coaching staff, who once held out hope of a play-off push.
“Maybe we were expecting too much from ourselves,” he added. “But I think we still should have made it to mid-table. It should have been more comfortable than it has been.
“We have dropped so many points with late goals it has been ridiculous.”
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