Martin O’Neill has plenty of sympathy for crisis club Bolton’s plight, but says Nottingham Forest will only focus on finishing the Championship season with three consecutive wins.
There is a chance the Reds could end up facing a Wanderers youth team on the final day of the campaign, with the senior squad having gone on strike following another failure to pay their wages on time.
Bolton’s home game with Brentford was postponed on Saturday, due to their inability to field a team.
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But the Football League have told the club they must fulfil their fixtures, as the long-running takeover wrangle between current owner Ken Anderson and would-be buyer Laurence Bassini rumbles on.
The pair have engaged in a public war of words, with Anderson accusing Bassini of failing to provide promised funds, as part of the takeover deal - something the former Watford owner has denied.
Forest, in the meantime, are expecting their final day fixture against Bolton to go ahead on Sunday - even if they do not know what kind of opposition they will face, as the future of one of the oldest members of the Football League continues to be plunged into crisis.
“Bolton, in this moment, and I am sorry to say this, are not my problem. It is a real, real shame that a club of that size and history are in this position,” said O’Neill. “They must have had a reason for not fulfilling their fixture.
“They have not had payment for some considerable time - and I should say I am only speaking from a distance here, I do not know the full details.
“But whatever happens, we can only prepare for the game. Our preparation can only be to get ready to face Bolton, whatever kind of side that happens to be.”
Having beaten Middlesbrough and QPR in their last two outings, to notch up their first back-to-back wins since September, O’Neill wants to see the Reds make it three victories on the bounce, to finish the campaign on a positive note at the City Ground.
“It would be really nice to end the season with three wins on the bounce, regardless of the opposition,” said O’Neill.
“They might well have resolved their issues by the time the game comes around, because there has been talk of a takeover there for ages and ages.
“Seemingly they are at a stalemate at the minute. It is a shame that they could not play this weekend..
“But we can only concern ourselves about facing Bolton, when we return to training this week.”
Forest are confident that the game will go ahead next weekend, which will avoid frustrating Reds fans - and particularly season ticket holders, who have already paid to watch the match.
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“I am getting varying reports, but I do know the game was not played against Brentford,” said O’Neill. “But we are hearing that their fixtures have to be fulfilled, one way or another.
“We will prepare this week, as if the game is going ahead, because I am sure it will be played.
“We will try to win the game, regardless of what happens. That is the most important thing for us.
“Bolton have had their problems, which is a real shame for a football club of that size and stature. It is really disappointing.
“But we will prepare for the game this week and we will be looking to win.”
