Bolton Wanderers couldn't have had worse preparation heading into their game against promotion chasing Leeds United this weekend. 

The relegation threatened Trotters will have only just paid their players, and boss Phil Parkinson is the frontrunner for the managerial vacancy at Reading - far from ideal preparation to say the least.

But in an interview with The Bolton News, Parkinson is remaining surprisingly confident about his side's chances of picking up some points against Marcelo Bielsa's side.

"I think there’s a good chance (that we’ll get a result against Leeds)," said Parkinson.

"We just have to keep doing what we’re doing. We have to work hard on that training ground, implement what we do on a Saturday or a Tuesday, and something will go for us."

Leeds will certainly fancy their chances of adding to Bolton's troubles as they come into this one in an impressive run of form having won their last four fixtures to establish themselves in second.

Bolton are in serious danger of dropping back into League One, and their well-publicised financial troubles seem to be catching up with them again, so they will be one of the favourites to be relegated this season.

The Verdict 

You have to admire his optimism.

Bolton couldn't be in a worse run of form heading into the weekend's game against Leeds and this fixture has come at the wrong time.

In a week where it seems to be going all wrong for Bolton, they have to try and scrape a result against arguably the best team in the Championship, who are going to be in a ruthless mood.

Thoughts? Let us know!