Festive spirit has been in short supply over the last couple of years at Wanderers.

Once the Advent calendars come out, it is usually form that goes out of the window, with Ian Evatt’s side winning just one of seven games in December since he took charge.

That ratio might be even smaller had a threadbare Bolton not been forced to postpone three matches last year because of the devastating effects of Covid on their squad and staff.

The Whites now enter a new month and a home game against Bristol Rovers in optimistic mood, injuries and illnesses at a minimum. Evatt might even find reason for some Christmas cheer.

But looking back at last year’s games at Fleetwood, Accrington and Rotherham United, the scant selection options available were more akin to finding a lump of coal in the bottom of his stocking.

“We were patching things together back then, it was a very different situation,” he agreed.

“We have worked extremely hard to put ourselves in the place where we can pick from a relatively deep squad. It doesn’t make it any easier, it is just a different type of challenge now.

“This season it is about picking the right players at the right time against the right opposition.

“That isn’t necessarily a simple thing but it is obviously better to have those options. “I think we are in a really good place right now. I like what I am seeing on the training ground, I like the togetherness in the group. I am pleased with results in general and I know we have got more to offer, which might be the biggest thing I can be pleased about. I think this team hasn’t yet reached its potential. There is room for growth.

“I have another transfer window just around the corner, so as a football club I think we can be content.”

Whisper it quietly, but the formerly habitual ‘winter dip’ has been less pronounced for Evatt and his side this season than the previous two.

While there was some concern about the level of performances at the end of October and into November, results did not fall away completely. And a steely draw with 10 men at Cambridge United led nicely into a win at Fleetwood, albeit one only snatched with virtually the last kick of the game.

Evatt has had chance to step back and take a breath with no game last weekend, assessing both his own squad options and the schedule ahead. And he remains confident that – for the first time since he came to the UniBol – December might be kind.

“This month does tend, historically, to be the time for movers and shakers,” he said.

“You have a good month, a good Christmas, then it tends to put you in a good position for the rest of the season.

“We haven’t found that so far – it has been a tough time of year for me – but I think we are in a much better position this time around. “We have spoken about it. I have set us a challenge and a points target to get by January and hopefully we can reach that. If we do, we’ll be right in the mix come the business end of the tournament.

“For now, I just want us to focus on Bristol, who will be a really challenging opponent, but I think we go into that game with the players in a really good place.”