Carry on counter-attacking – that’s the message from Whites loan defender Kevin McNaughton ahead of another away date at Middlesbrough.
Wanderers head to Teesside tomorrow looking to make it four consecutive wins on the road and extend their unbeaten Championship run to eight games.
And McNaughton believes they can do just that if they continue to soak up pressure and hit teams on the break – just like his parent club Cardiff did on their way to the Championship title last season.
The 31-year-old Scot, who has made seven appearances for the Whites, said: “It probably suits us playing away from home because teams are coming on to us and we’re hitting them on the break.
“It suits us just soaking up a bit of pressure and picking teams off playing on the break.
“That’s been the way it has been for the last couple of months I’ve been here and results have come from that as well.
“I see similarities with Cardiff last season. If you watched us last season, in spells we were good but in other spells we just had to grind out results.
“There were a lot of games that were looking like draws and we’d be playing pretty much like we are now at Bolton, on the counter attack.”
The attacking aspect of Wanderers’ game will no doubt be enhanced by the arrival of McNaughton’s Bluebirds team-mate Joe Mason on loan.
The 22-year-old striker has joined until January, when McNaughton’s own three-month deal also expires.
But unlike the young forward, the experienced full-back does not figure as highly in Malky Mackay’s plans at the Cardiff City Stadium.
And after an enjoyable spell at Wanderers, he is leaving the door open to an even longer stay.
McNaughton added: “I certainly wouldn’t rule it out. I have really enjoyed it so far.
“It helps a lot when you’re not getting beat. There is a feelgood factor.
“I’m enjoying my football because I’m playing again.
“There is nothing worse, when you’ve played for probably 90 per cent of your career, than doing absolutely nothing at a weekend.
“It was strange but it has been great to get some games at Bolton.
“It’s definitely made life easier that I’ve come here and got some results.”
Wanderers head to Teesside tomorrow looking to make it four consecutive wins on the road and extend their unbeaten Championship run to eight games.
And McNaughton believes they can do just that if they continue to soak up pressure and hit teams on the break – just like his parent club Cardiff did on their way to the Championship title last season.
The 31-year-old Scot, who has made seven appearances for the Whites, said: “It probably suits us playing away from home because teams are coming on to us and we’re hitting them on the break.
“It suits us just soaking up a bit of pressure and picking teams off playing on the break.
“That’s been the way it has been for the last couple of months I’ve been here and results have come from that as well.
“I see similarities with Cardiff last season. If you watched us last season, in spells we were good but in other spells we just had to grind out results.
“There were a lot of games that were looking like draws and we’d be playing pretty much like we are now at Bolton, on the counter attack.”
The attacking aspect of Wanderers’ game will no doubt be enhanced by the arrival of McNaughton’s Bluebirds team-mate Joe Mason on loan.
The 22-year-old striker has joined until January, when McNaughton’s own three-month deal also expires.
But unlike the young forward, the experienced full-back does not figure as highly in Malky Mackay’s plans at the Cardiff City Stadium.
And after an enjoyable spell at Wanderers, he is leaving the door open to an even longer stay.
McNaughton added: “I certainly wouldn’t rule it out. I have really enjoyed it so far.
“It helps a lot when you’re not getting beat. There is a feelgood factor.
“I’m enjoying my football because I’m playing again.
“There is nothing worse, when you’ve played for probably 90 per cent of your career, than doing absolutely nothing at a weekend.
“It was strange but it has been great to get some games at Bolton.
“It’s definitely made life easier that I’ve come here and got some results.”
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