TODAY will be a really good test for us as we head for Bolton Wanderers, a club with so much history and tradition as well as a magnificent stadium.

I know I am looking forward to the challenge and will be asking the players to show me they are just as up for the fight.

In general, these are the big games you should relish and my job should be easy in terms of motivating the players this afternoon.

Fortunately this group seem to rise to the big occasions, and I think they will be doubly determined to get a result after Tuesday’s defeat at Southend.

I stand by what I said earlier in the week that I have not seen a team we need to be scared of in this division.

I have been disappointed to lose games, of course, but can honestly say we have not been outplayed or outfought by any team in the first ten matches.

Bolton are a very experienced side, but they are on a poor run at the moment, so we are looking to take advantage of that.

On Tuesday night we created easily enough chances to have won the game, but at times we maybe lacked that clinical finish after we had carved out a clear opening.

Even when we looked to have got it right their keeper made some excellent saves, so it was a frustrating evening.

I think that is two away games on the trot where the opposing goalkeeper has been man of the match.

We are creating chances – it is when they dry up that you need to worry.

One thing we have talked about this week is to start strongly and try and get the first goal.

That may sound daft – every team wants that, but at this level it is particularly true because teams are that much better at protecting their lead and being professional.

I think it is only Sheffield United who have come from behind to beat us this season.

And if you look back at last year, we did not lose too many games after we scored the all-important first goal.

We prepare properly, we do our homework and we will be up for the challenge, backed by another huge away following.

Hopefully we can strike first at Bolton and reward our fans for making the journey and getting behind us.

MAYBE we should have seen the omens on Tuesday night as soon as Ryan Ledson had to be helped off in the warm-up at Roots Hall.

I was in the dressing room getting ready when Ryan hobbled in with Alex MacDonald and I could not believe my eyes or our luck!

He just felt a pain in his knee while passing the ball and it looks as though he will be out for six weeks or so.

That is terrible luck because we were waiting for the right time to get Ryan into the team.

He is a very good player who I think the fans will take to straight away, but like Ryan himself everyone will have to be just that bit more patient until he gets his chance.