Ian Evatt was making notes after Leeds United’s Under-21s impressive display in the Papa Johns Trophy in midweek.

Though Wanderers’ greater experience helped them go on to win the game 3-0, the youngsters from Elland Road showed up well, particularly in the first half.

Evatt keeps tabs on what is happening at Leeds and was taken by the way they approached the game on Tuesday night.

“I get quite a good insight into Leeds because I’m quite good friends with Liam Cooper, the captain, and I get to listen, watch from afar, and I take quite a keen interest,” he said.

“There is no denying Leeds’ identity in recent years, whether that is Marcelo Bielsa or Jesse Marsch, that high intensity, fast transitions, fast tracking, high press. You could see that against us and probably the only difference I can see from the outside looking in is that Marsch is a bit more personable than Marcelo. He has more of a personal relationship with the players whereas Marcelo was an individual who would allow other people create and develop those relationships.

“It was amazing to see the disappointment on the players and the coaching staff’s face as they were coming off the pitch. It was as if they expected to win, and that is no bad thing.

“It was pleasing for us, but I think there will be some good players come out of that team.”

Evatt’s ‘in’ with Leeds could yet pay dividends in the future. The Bolton boss made a beeline for attacking midfielder Sonny Perkins after the final whistle, shaking the England youth international’s hand.

He said: “I thought he (Perkins) was very good. Going back to some conversations I’d had with Liam, some of the players I should be aware of – nothing really to do with this game, but more in terms of loan options in the future – and to see who was doing well for them.

“I know Liam has been very impressed with Sonny and I was too. Some of his control and ability to bring other people into play was excellent but there were a number of players like that – Darko Gyabi, especially.

“Of course they are way out of our price range but you do take admiring glances at some of those young talents, learning, developing, and the way they tried to implement their game plan on us was very good.”

Wanderers have loaned Conor Bradley and Owen Beck from Liverpool and James Trafford from Manchester City this season, and while Evatt has not ruled out the possibility of bringing in more players on short-term deals, he says picking up academy players can be a risky business.

“We are always looking, trying to get the right players in the right positions,” he said.

“The loan market can be difficult, especially from that pool of players, because we don’t know how they are going to fit, culturally.

“When we do recruit, we want them to make a difference and not affect what we are already doing, in the changing room or on the pitch. And it can be really challenging.

“We have done really well with Conor, Traff and Owen, who has been a wonderful young man to work with since he has been in here.

“We are always on the lookout for fresh talent and players who can improve us but they have to be the right fit. It isn’t just about what they do on the pitch.”