Fabrice Muamba is 'excited' at the prospect of returning to Bolton Wanderers to coach in the club's academy after the move this summer has become official, he revealed.
26.04.2022 - 18:15 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Ian Evatt believes the players Bolton Wanderers have out of action but can still put out competitive sides is a measure of how far his squad has come since the start of January.
On New Year's Day, Wanderers travelled to take on Rotherham United in their first game in three weeks after a shutdown over Christmas due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the club.
On that afternoon in Yorkshire, owing to the injury crisis Wanderers was experiencing that time which hit the club hard during November and December in particular, the midfield trio lined up of youngster George Thomason, defender George Johnston and attacker Nathan Delfouneso.
READ MORE:Number of Bolton Wanderers summer signings pinpointed as transfer target set by Ian Evatt
Since then, Wanderers strengthened heavily in the January transfer window with several signings made. Marlon Fossey and James Trafford joined on loan from Fulham and Manchester City respectively, while Dion Charles, Aaron Morley, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Kieran Sadlier and Kyle Dempsey all arrived on permanent deals as the squad was strengthened.
Those additions have helped Wanderers make it into the top half of the table and the Whites are on course for a top 10 finish upon their first season back in League One after promotion from the fourth tier last campaign.
Wanderers have several notable absentees from the squad at present, including captain Ricardo Almeida Santos, midfielders Josh Sheehan, Kieran Lee, Andrew Tutte and winger Lloyd Isgrove.
But despite that, Wanderers have been able to name a team where there has been little noticeable drop-off in quality, in stark contrast to earlier on this campaign and evidence of how much things have changed since the start of 2022 with the defeat at the hands of
Fabrice Muamba is 'excited' at the prospect of returning to Bolton Wanderers to coach in the club's academy after the move this summer has become official, he revealed.
Former Bolton Wanderers duo Will Jaaskelainen needed a fresh challenge away while Luke Murphy intending to continue his playing career were reasons behind their departures from Crewe Alexandra.
Bolton Wanderers made their first signing of the summer transfer window to get their business off to a flying start with the acquisition of Jack Iredale.
Ian Evatt believes Bolton Wanderers 'limit the risk' associated with making signings in the transfer window and is hoping they can bring in more positive acquisitions after their January successes.
George Johnston feels Bolton Wanderers proved during the recently concluded season that they can compete with the top teams in League One even with injuries or not at their best and feels it is an exciting prospect.
Bolton Wanderers are preparing for a second season in a row under Ian Evatt and seeking to mount a promotion push in earnest next campaign.
Gerard Pique says former Bolton Wanderers and Real Madrid defender Fernando Hierro was his favourite player as a child as he highlighted Manchester United and Barcelona legends too as big influences.
Cambridge United defender Jack Iredale has described his spell at the U's as the most enjoyable time of his career so far after he turned down a fresh contract offer amid a transfer link to Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton Wanderers have opted not to bring Xavier Amaechi back to the club next season after the winger's loan spell came to an end.
Ian Evatt believes Bolton Wanderers have improved in terms of sharing the goals around the team since Eoin Doyle's departure but wants more to chip in to help improve this evening further next season.
Bolton Wanderers chairman Sharon Brittan has hailed the efforts of the Whites' squad over the past two seasons as she believes the club is well and truly back and heading in the right direction.
Stephen Crainey felt Dion Charles' second strike for Bolton Wanderers in the victory over his Fleetwood Town side was a 'freak' strike and a 'suckerpunch' in the League One final day encounter.
Bolton Wanderers secured a ninth placed finish on their first season back in League One since 2020 with a 4-2 home win over Fleetwood Town.
James Trafford - 7.5
Ian Evatt admits upcoming discussions and telling some of his Bolton Wanderers players their time at the club will end after their contracts expire is the 'worst' part of his job.
Bolton Wanderers take on Fleetwood Town in their final game of the League One season.
Bolton Wanderers attacker Kieran Sadlier is now fully integrated into life at the club now after his mid-season switch from Rotherham United and is now relishing the chance to play at wing-back.
Ian Evatt believes the early season losses Bolton Wanderers experienced at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland still leave an element of a 'bitter taste' but believes his side have come a long way since then and are better equipped for next season to handle big games on the road.
Ian Evatt says it is 'great' to still be involved in how Marlon Fossey is progressing in his comeback from injury amid future conversations Bolton Wanderers intend to have about getting the Fulham defender back this summer.
Aaron Morley feels pressure is not building on Bolton Wanderers for next season as he believes a standard is being set at the club in the second half of this campaign which he hopes could be good enough for promotion.