WHAT would once have looked an appetising run of fixtures for Wanderers has now taken on a different complexion in the changing world of League One.

Trips to promoted sides Leyton Orient and Carlisle United, split by a rearranged home game against Cheltenham Town, would ordinarily look like a week where Ian Evatt’s side could pick up some serious pace in the chase for Championship football.

There are no guarantees, of course. Just ask Portsmouth, whose unchecked run at the top of the table has now been placed in considerable doubt by a run of just one victory in their last six league games.

But even factoring in the unforeseen and tragic circumstances which led to Cheltenham’s visit being replayed, the New Year fixture schedule appeared in the weeks beforehand to be where we would really find out if Wanderers had the ruthlessness required to make the automatic spots.

That target hasn’t changed and if Evatt’s side play with the intensity they did over two games against Luton then they surely will not be far away. The trio of lesser lights they take on next, however, are suddenly quite a different prospect.

Pompey’s most recent conqueror, Orient, turned heads last weekend with a comfortable 3-0 result at Fratton Park which lifted them to 10th – the second time this season they have occupied that position, but also the highest they have reached since making the play-offs finals a decade ago and losing in the final to Rotherham United at Wembley.

The O’s will also welcome Bolton with plenty of rest in their legs. Forget the Premier League’s winter break, last weekend’s win on the south coast was their only competitive action in 19 days.

Wanderers picked up a couple of injury and illness issues either side of their FA Cup game. As well as they played against Luton, the old questions about squad depth have not disappeared entirely.

The Whites will remember well how close they came to blowing a 3-0 lead at the Toughsheet Stadium just before Christmas. After racing into a commanding lead inside 11 minutes with goals from Josh Dacres-Cogley, Dion Charles and George Thomason, Orient nearly levelled matters with the last kick of the game after an abject second-half display.

We have seen the team lapse a couple of times in the second half this season as they surrender a position of complete control to give the opposition side a sniff of a result. Thankfully, it seems to have been contained to home games, as away from home Bolton have looked as resilient as anyone around.

Only Derby County (2.15) can better Bolton’s 2.09 points per game away from home this season, albeit Evatt’s side have only played 11 times thus far, fewer than anyone else in the division.

That Cheltenham visit on Tuesday night was facilitated by Burton’s willingness to swap their fixture to later in the season, alongside the blessing of the EFL and Greater Manchester Police.

In the brief 29-minute window before last Saturday’s game was abandoned, Bolton were reminded that the Robins are no longer the struggling side they were before bringing in ex-Port Vale and Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke.

As cordial as the relationship between the two clubs has been recently – and the behaviour of the Gloucestershire club and their fans has been exemplary – they too will be looking to take maximum advantage of any weariness that Wanderers show.

Carlisle United also wait on the horizon as a changed team. Since being taken over by the American Castle Sports Group there has been investment in players and a hike in expectations around Brunton Park that survival can be achieved this season.

The Cumbrians have already given Bolton a bloodied nose on their own turf this season and will desperately want to complete the double.

But first thing is first. Orient have caused Evatt issues before – a 4-0 victory back in the darks days of pandemic-hit empty stadia feels like a long time ago now but will undoubtedly be in the back of his mind as a result he wants to avenge.

Before all the cup excitement, Wanderers had won their previous four league games. They managed to string six together across October and November to earn their manager two awards.

Now, if they can strike lucky seven, they will be back on top of the table.