Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt believes there is increasing concern over the safety of players and staff at football matches and questioned whether smaller stadiums such as Morecambe's are capable of coping with large crowds.
22.01.2022 - 09:41 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Ian Evatt believes Joel Dixon and Dapo Afolayan must find their way back into the Bolton Wanderers team but has backed the duo to do just that.
The pair had to make do with places on the Wanderers bench in last weekend's win over Ispwich Town.
Manchester City loanee James Trafford came in to take Dixon's place as goalkeeper and the stopper was an unused substitute for the encounter.
READ MORE: Shrewsbury Town boss Steve Cotterill expresses Bolton doubt as Josh Vela faces Wanderers reunion
Afolayan was also named on the bench but came off it to score the second goal in the win over the Tractor Boys, which in turn was his tenth strike this campaign.
Evatt has reflected on the decision made to take the duo out of the firing line for that game and says it was made for the benefit of the team.
The Bolton boss admits it was not easy to drop the duo and in Afolayan's case stressed he still made an impact in the encounter by finding the back of the net.
Evatt admits the attacker has had a dip recently but highlighted this campaign is Afolayan's first full season in men's football and that it is natural to have fallow spells.
The former West Ham United man has been backed to be a huge part of Bolton's plans in the future by Evatt, who believes it is a similar situation with Dixon, whom he has supported to return stronger after a spell out of the team.
Evatt, whose team take on Shrewsbury Town this afternoon, said: “Taking players out of the team is never easy and they were big decisions last week, but decisions that I felt needed to be made. It wasn’t just the individual, it was more the collective.
“Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same things and expecting different results, and sometimes you need to
Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt believes there is increasing concern over the safety of players and staff at football matches and questioned whether smaller stadiums such as Morecambe's are capable of coping with large crowds.
James Trafford revealed he has had offers to go abroad to develop is game but the Manchester City loanee is looking forward to sustaining his good form at Bolton Wanderers after taking tips from Ederson.
Derby County's situation is a 'tragedy' says former Rams defender Ian Evatt but paid tribute to the 'incredible' way that Wayne Rooney has conducted himself and shown what he is capable of in management.
James Trafford has 'loved' every day of his loan spell so far at Bolton Wanderers and the Manchester City youngster wants to continue in a positive momentum with the League One club.
James Trafford continued his excellent start to life on loan at Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday as he kept a fourth clean sheet in his first four games - the first goalkeeper ever do so for the club.
Nathan Delfouneso's move to Bradford City on transfer deadline day could be a springboard for him getting a new club in the summer after Ian Evatt signalled that the attacker's time at Bolton Wanderers has come to an end.
James Trafford moved on loan from Manchester City to Bolton Wanderers during the January transfer window.
James Trafford - 7.5
Bolton Wanderers have targeted Kyle Dempsey as their final January transfer window acquisition.
Bolton Wanderers are hopeful of landing Kyle Dempsey before the transfer window slams shut later on today but Ian Evatt has vowed they will walk away from any deal if the prospect of overpaying for the midfielder's services looms.
Bolton Wanderers produced an astonishing performance to put six goals past a dismal Sunderland in League One.
Bolton Wanderers expect there to be no more than two loan depratures from the club in the coming days as the January transfer window approaches its climax.
Bolton Wanderers have had a productive January transfer window so far with five new faces joining the League One club and there could be more arrivals before the deadline arrives.
Dion Charles is predicting this weekend's clash against Sunderland to be a good one as he reflected on why it was a 'no brainer' to make the move to Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper James Trafford tries to keep an eye on Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson among several Premier League stoppers to help influence his own career.
Bolton Wanderers see Kyle Dempsey as the final piece in their January transfer window puzzle but will move on to other targets if Gillingham ultimately turn down the chance of doing a deal.
Bolton Wanderers have had a productive January transfer window so far with five new faces joining the League One club.
Kieran Lee was withdrawn at half-time of Bolton Wanderers' victory on the road against Shrewsbury Town because of a slight hip injury.