Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Newport County: Ali Crawford good but defence poor in loss to Exiles

Wanderers have been in need of another right-sided player due to the loss of injured defender Gethin Jones who is poised to be out for around six weeks with ankle joint damage and the new right-back should fill that void.

Wanderers were among the pre-season favourites for the title according to the bookmakers before a ball was kicked in anger. But the Trotters began the league campaign with three successive losses against Forest Green Rovers, Colchester United and Newport County.Bolton's form in League Two has picked up of late having taken four points from the last six on offer.

Billy Crellin - 5Didn't have a save of note to make in either half as neither side had a shot on target.Ryan Delaney - 6A little shaky at times but drove forward from the back at times to aid attacks and was not afraid to go in for a challenge.Ricardo Almeida Santos - 7 Suits playing in the middle of a back three and looked assured defensively and winning aerial duels. Playing with confidence on the ball and was Wanderers' best centre defender.

The Trotters made nine changes from midweek for the game against the Mariners, where only Ryan Delaney and Billy Crellin kept their places.

Wanderers head coach Ian Evatt had initially feared that Jones would be out until at least Christmas with suspected ankle joint damage. But it seems that Jones' injury is not as serious as first feared, following MRI and CT scans and seeing a specialist this week.Evatt has confirmed that Jones has suffered ligament rather than bone damage, which will put him out for six weeks rather than potentially between six and nine months.

Wanderers man. After the match, Bolton head coach Ian Evatt admitted that it was 'not looking good' for the former Carlisle United man after he went off with an apparent foot injury.

Wanderers' first League Two win of the season against Harrogate Town. Harrogate striker Mark Beck fell accidentally on the Wanderers man, who received treatment initially on the pitch and later at the side of it.

Billy Crellin - 7Made a great stop in the first half to deny a fierce effort from Calvin Miller and was solid all afternoon, but couldn't do much to stop Thomson's strike.Harry Brockbank - 7Youngster did a solid job at the back, especially coming up against a physical presence in the form of Harrogate striker Mark Beck.Ricardo Almeida Santos - 7More of an aerial presence and won more headers than last weekend against Newport. Almost set up Doyle with a marauding run through midfield.

Lloyd Isgrove and Arthur Gnahoua joining before last weekend's match against Newport County.However, Isgrove will now be out for a couple of weeks at least after picking up an injury. Evatt explained that players who are joining having not been at another club recently and were free agents over the summer require more time to train and become used to the demands of playing under the former Barrow boss at Wanderers and the playing style he is implementing.

joined Wanderers last weekend before kick-off against Newport County and went on to make his debut against the Exiles. Striker Miller is yet to make his League Two bow for Bolton and has not been in the squad since coming off the bench to score against former club Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy.

Wanderers have lost the opening three matches of their League Two campaign, the most recent of which came at home against Newport County on Saturday. The Exiles claimed a 2-0 victory after two strikes from Tristan Abrahams after the break condemned Bolton to defeat and left them 22nd in the fourth tier of English football.

The Trotters suffered their fifth defeat of the season on Saturday against the Exiles.

Ian Evatt believes Bolton Wanderers must prioritise a will to play over skill and feels the spirit and desire was 'questionable' in the players in the defeat to Newport County. Wanderers lost their fifth game of the season in all competitions yesterday against the Exiles at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Wanderers could have been even greater if the Exiles had taken their chances.Bolton had been tipped by the bookmakers as among the favourites for the title before the season began but are yet to manage results under new head coach Ian Evatt. But Flynn feels that Wanderers will come good under Evatt.

Defensive frailties crop up once more Newport County boss Michael Flynn suggested after his side claimed a 2-0 victory over Wanderers that the Exiles could have had six or seven goals. And it was hard to argue against the Exiles manager after a glut of opportunities presented themselves early on in the first half.

straight to your inboxDavid de GeaBoth of his posts and crossbar were struck by Brighton until he was mischievously beaten by Neal Maupay's penalty. Still hasn't officially saved a penalty since April 2016.

Wanderers are back at home today in League Two against the Exiles and are seeking their first win of the season.

Wanderers after leaving Colchester United over the summer, being released due to the financial constraints at the Us, who were the first EFL club to let players go following the fiscal impact of the crisis.But he knows others will not be so lucky and many are still without a club, despite the new season being already a few weeks old. He told the PA news agency: "There are a lot of players who are struggling to get clubs.

Wanderers head into the meeting having tasted defeat in all four competitive games across all competitions so far this season.

Bolton this weekend. "I've just told them that I hope nobody goes away sulking or trying to have any negative impact on the group, because I will get rid of them.