WANDERERS may not be at their free-flowing best – but Randell Williams believes it is a big step forward for Ian Evatt’s side that they have still been able to keep results coming.

While many are yet to be convinced of Bolton’s promotion credentials, their steady climb up the table in recent weeks to a position one point outside the play-offs is undeniable.

After an awkward 90 minutes against rock-bottom Burton – a game in which Williams scored and provided an assist for Aaron Collins – the Whites got themselves back into the top half.

The wing-back looked back to last season and the inconsistent form shown from the turn of the year which ultimately cost Evatt’s side their shot at automatic promotion ahead of Derby County, reasoning that if a few of the frustrating draws had been turned into wins, things could have been very different.

“I think last season when we didn’t play well, we just didn’t get results,” he told The Bolton News. “This year we are not playing fantastically but we are keeping the points coming. I am sure when we do start playing well, we’ll be flying.

“Four out of five wins in the league is fantastic, we just have to keep building on that.”

On paper, a game against Birmingham City represents a very different proposition to Burton at home.

Chris Davies’s team grabbed headlines throughout the summer for their unprecedented spending, which of course included the capture of £11million striker Jay Stansfield from Fulham. And their form over the first 10 games suggests they will be the team to catch this season, eight wins out of 10 giving them a two-point lead over Wrexham at the top.

Wanderers had to switch personnel at the weekend after George Thomason picked up an injury and both Nathan Baxter and Eoin Toal were not cleared to play, which meant Williams was switched to the right side and Birmingham old boy Josh Dacres-Cogley to centre-half.

Even if Evatt has to shuffle his team again, Williams is confident they can give a good account of themselves at St Andrew’s.

“I really enjoy playing there, I’m a lot more comfortable on that side,” he said.

“It will be a different test at Birmingham. The gaffer is very dependent on personnel. We have got bodies coming back, which is good.

“We have a good squad that can rotate well, play different positions, so whenever you are called upon you have to go out and perform.”

Given Bolton’s injury issues and Birmingham’s impressively deep resources, it is little wonder that the Whites go into Tuesday night’s game as underdogs.

Williams sees things differently.

“They are in the same league as we are, it makes no difference to us,” he said. “They are players, we are players, whoever wants it more on the day. Anything can happen.

“We have a great squad. We could, probably should have been promoted last season, should have done it through automatics as well. But it didn’t happen.

“I don’t see why we can’t go to Birmingham and get three points.”

Williams’ start against Burton was his first of the season, due mainly to injuries suffered since May.

The first was an especially unfortunate piece of timing on the day before the play-off final at Wembley, sustained in a friendly practice match at the end of a training session.

“It was a tackle – I was devastated,” he said. “I tried everything to play but I just couldn’t.

“It was the tendon at the bottom of my foot. Hopefully that luck will change now.”

Williams also damaged his hamstring on his return to the side, meaning another few weeks on the sidelines, but now fit again he provided a reminder of what he can bring to the Bolton team during the second half on Saturday.

An Exocet-like long throw, which provided the ammunition for Collins to open the scoring, is a party trick the 27-year-old is only happy to bring out again.

“If it’s dry, I can throw it pretty far,” he said. “It’s like a through ball sometimes.

“When I was at Wycombe we used it relentlessly on both sides, it was almost a corner.

“But it’s a weapon, and I’m trying to bring as much to the table as I can.”