GEORGE Johnston believes local pride must matter more to Wanderers as they gear up for another all-Lancashire clash against Blackpool.

Bolton’s record in games against local sides under Ian Evatt has been unremarkable, especially when league points have been at stake.

Manchester-born Johnston spoke out on behalf of the dressing room after the 5-0 defeat at Stockport County to say players – and not the coaching staff – should take the fall for the lowest moment of the season to date.

Blackpool have not won in their last seven games in the league, slipping down to 18th spot, and Johnston reckons a repeat of last November’s 1-0 win against the seasiders would be a big step in the right direction.

“Our record has got to improve,” he told The Bolton News. “I have been here through a few of them now, Wigan, Huddersfield, now Stockport, and they do hurt even more. Not that many of the lads are local to Bolton, so we can’t imagine how bad it must feel for the fans, but I can promise we’ll be doing everything we can to address it.

“We have got another local game against Blackpool now, then Wigan are coming up soon too, so we have to start making it right again.”

The result at Stockport forced some matters to a head in the Wanderers dressing room, with players asking Ian Evatt and his backroom to allow them time to speak freely between themselves.

Evatt had voiced his own concerns about ‘slipping standards’ around the training ground and in the preparation for games, a message which has also been pushed during the international break.

Johnston says there is a willingness on the squad’s behalf to improve.

“Accountability was a big word going around between the players and we have to hold each other accountable every single day,” he said. “If you are not doing the work then you are going to get called out for it. If you are doing the work, then you can still do extra to help this club move forward.

“We need a response now, 1,000 per cent. There has to be a better mentality coming into those types of games, how you are preparing, are you doing everything you can to make sure you are on it from the first whistle? When that whistle goes, are you winning that first duel, are you out-working them, outsmarting them, battling better than they do? They are basic things more than anything.

“I think when we get those basic things right we are up there with the best teams because we have quality in the squad. But that hasn’t been the base too often this season.”

Supporters vented much of the anger towards manager Evatt, and with more than 20,000 due to turn up at the Toughsheet this weekend, many will expect a much-improved performance.

Johnston said the reaction at Stockport was understandable.

“They had every right,” he said. “When we went over to give our apologies you could see they were very angry – but as we said, take that anger out on us, not necessarily the gaffer. It was only the players who were responsible for that.”