FOOTBALL discussion was pushed to one side because of the tragic events on Saturday afternoon but Ian Evatt and his Wanderers returned to the training ground on Monday facing a fresh test of their mental strength.

There has been little analysis of the 29 minutes of action against Cheltenham Town before referee Sunny Singh Gill brought the players off the field, nor would it be especially revealing.

Bolton certainly had not looked cohesive against aggressive and energetic opposition, but the game had not progressed past its formative stages before being abandoned because of a medical emergency in the East Stand.

From a pragmatic, physical standpoint, Wanderers will go into the replay against Luton Town feeling less fatigued than they would have been after a 90-minute weekend performance.

Evatt had pre-planned his line-ups from Kenilworth Road, through the midweek Bristol Street Motors Trophy game at Accrington, and eventually to Cheltenham, but had already suffered some disruption with the loss of wing-back Randell Williams to injury.

Whether he can stick with his original plan for the replay remains to be seen. Will the comparative lack of game time on Saturday give him more scope to play a different team, or will the players involved just be slightly better rested?

Rather it will be how Evatt’s squad handle the mental pressures exerted over the last couple of days that could determine whether they cause a cup upset and book their fourth-round game at Crystal Palace or Everton, or bow out of the competition altogether.

Though leaders Portsmouth suffered a home defeat against Leyton Orient – who are next up in the league for the Whites – Peterborough United’s 2-1 win at Charlton Athletic helped them leapfrog Bolton into second place.

With three games in hand on some of their rivals, the table still makes rosy reading. The Cheltenham game has now been shifted to next Tuesday, with the help of Burton Albion, but the paucity of guaranteed midweek slots over the next three months is starting to make involvement in two competitions look like more of a luxury.

Evatt has made a strong case for fighting on all fronts. An unashamed competitor, he won’t want his side to lose any contest, even one against pedigree top-flight opposition.

There are financial rewards to be claimed with victory, albeit that bounty is reduced slightly with the absence of TV, either in the replay or the next round.

Progression in the league is of paramount importance and Orient’s win at Fratton Park puts a different spin on Saturday’s trip to East London too. For the first time, questions are being asked across the fanbase about the order of priorities and where the grand old FA Cup fits into them.

Wanderers will feel duty-bound, however, to make sure their tribute to a life-long supporter, Iain Purslow, extends beyond the ceremonial affairs before kick-off.

Though the players were ushered quickly from the pitch at the weekend, they will be aware of the emotions which have swept around the fanbase. A game which had only been discussed because of the price of tickets at one stage last week has suddenly graduated to something different, and there now feels a greater responsibility on the team to do themselves proud.

Likewise, there may be a different type of atmosphere generated among the supporters, who have collectively grieved for one of their own over the last few days.

As ever, the Bolton family has rallied together to offer support – including a Gofundme page to raise money for Mr Purslow’s family.

Their unequivocal rejection of an apology from The Sun over their insensitive headline carried above their print story on Sunday underlines just how unified the support can be in times of hardship, and they have certainly seen a few.

Flags flew at half mast outside the stadium yesterday and the club revealed plans to pay tribute to Mr Purslow, who will also have some of his family in the crowd.

When such things are necessary, Wanderers always do them well.

What happens next is down to Ian Evatt and his players.