Bolton Wanderers are hopeful of having Conor Bradley available before the weekend's clash against Lincoln City owing to sickness picked up while on Northern Ireland duty.
09.09.2022 - 08:13 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Ian Evatt believes Cheltenham Town overachieved under Michael Duff by gaining promotion to League One and hopes Wade Elliott gets given time to build at the Robins.
Duff led the Gloucestershire side out of League Two alongside Wanderers in the 2020/21 season. He subsequently took the Robins to 15th last season, which was their highest ever league position in their history.
Barnsley took Duff back to his native Yorkshire over the summer and Elliott, who had been part of Duff's coaching team, has taken over in the dugout at Whaddon Road. The Robins are in the drop zone at present in this early stage of the season.
READ MORE: Where are they now? Ian's Evatt's first Bolton Wanderers team two years on from Bradford City loss
Evatt sees similarites with how Cheltenham play now under Elliott as they did under Duff. He believes Elliott has a tough act to follow after Duff and wishes the former Burnley midfielder well after the game on Saturday, should it go ahead following the death of Queen Eliazabeth II yesterday, with discussions to talk place between the EFL and the Government regarding fixtures.
Speaking before the Queen's passing, Evatt said: “Wade was obviously part of the coaching team with Michael Duff, and it has over-achieved. Last season was the highest league finish in their history and they were promoted with us the season before. It has been real success.
“Following that is really difficult and it is a big job for Wade there, a tough one. The budget is pretty tight there, you have to be really smart and strategic with your recruitment.
“But you only get one chance at it and Wade has taken the job on looking to make his mark, so after Saturday I really do wish him all the best.
“There’s a lot of similarities, I
Bolton Wanderers are hopeful of having Conor Bradley available before the weekend's clash against Lincoln City owing to sickness picked up while on Northern Ireland duty.
Bolton Wanderers sit in the top six so far this season after playing the opening phase of the League One campaign.
Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough praised Bolton Wanderers defender Conor Bradley for his performance in the Uefa Nations League win over Kosovo.
Ian Evatt believes Bolton Wanderers have improved from last season but admits there is a tinge of frustration over not having the points on the board he feels they should.
Although they currently find themselves sat in League One, Bolton Wanderers are a team with plenty of history and have played in the top flight. Their fans have been through a fair amount in recent years due to off the pitch matters that saw them fall down the leagues. However, the Whites are targeting promotion back to the Championship this year and have started the campaign well under Ian Evatt.
Former Bolton Wanderers forward Nathan Delfouneso is close to joining fellow League One side Accrington Stanley.
Ian Evatt is poised to name a strong team for this evening's game in the Papa Johns Trophy against Tranmere Rovers as he has nearly a fully fit squad available to choose from.
Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has complete trust in skipper Ricardo Santos being able to keep Peterborough United hotshot Jonson Clarke-Harris quiet.
Ian Evatt feels Elias Kachunga get the 'rough end of the stick' out of Bolton Wanderers' forwards but sung the player's praises for the selfless work he does for the team.
Bolton Wanderers made it two wins on the bounce and climbed back into the League One top six with a win on the road over MK Dons.
Ian Evatt says Bolton Wanderers will prepare as normal for this weekend's game against Peterborough United which he believes will go ahead but says training will be amended to enable Queen Elizabeth II's funeral to be watched and respects paid.
Ian Evatt believes the challenge MK Dons pose to Bolton Wanderers is similar to the test his side faced aagainst Charlton Athletic as he plans his team selection.
Ian Evatt has mixed feelings over the idea of having an Arsenal-style documentary at Bolton Wanderers as he believes it would be great for supporters to get more an insight into life at the Whites but is uncomfortable with it potentially encroaching on the dressing room dynamic.
Ian Evatt has essentially ruled out the possibility of Bolton Wanderers recruiting any free agents following the conclusion of the summer transfer window.
Cheltenham Town could have the likes of Ryan Jackson and Liam Sercombe back for the visit of Bolton Wanderers but could still be waiting for Elliot Bonds.
Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has vowed he has full belief in his strikers amid not bringing in further reinforcements in that department this summer and feels a League One Erling Haaland is just not a realistic prospect.
Bolton Wanderers could hand a debut to summer signing Owen Beck tomorrow against Charlton Athletic.
Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has said the Whites have been offered players and are continuing to seek reinforcements but that nothing is imminent and vowed Wanderers will not overspend and walk away from deals if the price is not right.
Ian Evatt would not been drawn on rumours linking Bolton Wanderers with transfer window interest in QPR striker Macauley Bonne but says the Whites are continuing to monitor the situation and improvments are being sought to his squad.
Bolton Wanderers have been linked with a transfer window swoop for Liverpool youngster Owen Beck.