Bolton Wanderers: Josh Dacres-Cogley on Wigan Athletic loss

The wing-back admitted the result at the DW Stadium was tough to take after being on top for large spells.

“I think for large portions of the game we were the better team,” he reflected. “We tried to break them down and put them under a lot of pressure, and I feel like we were doing that.

“It was just a matter of taking one of the chances we got. Then, the one moment later on has cost us.

“Everyone is really disappointed with that but we have just got to put it behind us and look ahead to the next games.”

Ian Evatt’s side had the lion’s share of possession against the Latics but ultimately failed to make it count against their North West neighbours.

“Sometimes it is like that with how we play,” Dacres-Cogley continued. “We know teams are going to try to hang on and defend, and we are going to have lots of the ball.

“It is about being patient. At the start of the season, we were doing this and when we went a goal up, we started destroying teams.

“We have not been doing that recently and that has been our problem, we are not taking those chances early on to put other teams to bed. We need to get back to that.”

More than 4,000 supporters packed out the away end at the DW Stadium, and the Wanderers squad were gutted they couldn’t send the fans home happy.

“They have always been good away and at home,” he added. “It is very disappointing for us that we couldn’t give them three points and a nice journey home. All we can do is go again and hope to bring them joy.”

The only positive to come from Tuesday night’s results was Derby slipping up against Charlton at Pride Park.

Wanderers remain level on points with the Rams, who have played an extra game at this stage of the campaign.

Fourth-place Barnsley are three points behind, and the Whites head to Oakwell on Tuesday, March 5 (7.45pm).

The promotion race looks like it could go down to the wire, but Dacres-Cogley is relishing the pressure to secure a top-two spot.

Dacres-Cogley goes for goal (Image: Camerasport)

“We want pressure because we believe in ourselves, and everyone would say that in the changing room,” he explained.

“We all believe that we are good enough players to deal with that and we want to perform week in, week out and win games of football.

“I don’t think the pressure is the problem, it is just taking our chances and limiting theirs.”

The 27-year-old says Wanderers must find consistency heading into the business end of the campaign.

Evatt’s side still have tough fixtures against the likes of Derby and Portsmouth coming up, but Dacres-Cogley is confident they can overcome anyone in the division when they are on top of their game.

“We can’t let the levels drop. At the start of the season, we had those levels consistently and it is about getting those back,” he said.

“When we play anyone in this league, I am sure we will get results, get chances and limit teams.

“It is very disappointing that we lost in the manner we did, but we have got to bounce back and work towards the next game.”

Bolton won 2-1 at Cambridge last week thanks to second-half goals from Paris Maghoma and Carlos Mendes Gomes.

Since then, Neil Harris has left the club to take charge at Championship outfit Millwall and Barry Corr has been in the dugout. The U’s currently sit 16th in the League One table, with a five-point cushion above the drop zone.

Dacres-Cogley hopes Wanderers can use the hurt of the Blackpool and Wigan defeats to make sure they deliver a strong display against Cambridge.

The wing-back insists that the Whites cannot afford to let their heads drop while they are still right in the mix for a promotion spot.

When asked how difficult it will be to quickly pick themselves up, he replied: “I don’t think it is tough, especially with the position we are in.

“We know we have got a great opportunity to get promoted so there shouldn’t be a lack of motivation or anything like that.

“We should be raring to get back out there, especially after the (Wigan) performance.

“Everyone is disappointed and we will think about that, but we will get straight back to work on the training pitch.”