Bolton Wanderers endure a February to forget in League One

Seven games yielded nine points, and though some of the misfortune which has come the way of Ian Evatt and his side must be taken into consideration, it is also fair to say that the pressure of chasing down a top two spot has not sat well. In fact, some look downright uncomfortable with the stress.

Defeats against local rivals always cut deeper, and so to suffer them back-to-back in the last week is a sledgehammer blow to confidence, a commodity on which this side has always needed to function correctly.

And is has also shaken supporters, who are asking now if the young manager and the team has assembled has what it takes to negotiate a tricky run-in to finish ahead of Derby County, Barnsley, Peterborough United and the like.

To ignore the players who have been unavailable in recent weeks is unfair. Dion Charles may have hit a plateau before his knee injury but his waspish presence has been sorely missed, and he remains the only striker in the squad whose consistent scoring record at this level bears any real scrutiny.

Nathan Baxter’s absence with a wrist injury has hit harder than any of us could have expected. Joel Coleman stepped in as a dutiful understudy but has been rocked by a few poor decisions, and that has translated into nervousness which has radiated through the back line.

Randell Williams’ versatility on either flank would also have come in handy over the last few weeks, with Josh Dacres-Cogley losing some consistency and Calvin Ramsay yet to make a dent on the first team since his loan move from Liverpool.

Wanderers have had distractions – a seemingly never-ending dispute with referees culminating in three red card appeals in a single month, one of which was successful, and one remains in the balance. That some decisions have bordered on the baffling is without question, but it seldom screams of a happy club when they become the chief topic of discussion.

On the last day of January, Bolton were a point clear of Derby in second spot, with a game in hand. Portsmouth were just three points ahead, having played three games more. The picture could hardly have looked rosier as the Whites finished off the transfer window with the big money signing of Aaron Collins from Bristol Rovers – which in the words of CEO Neil Hart, was a “risk worth taking” in pursuit of promotion.

Aaron Collins replaced Carlos Mendes Gomes in the first half of Tuesday night's defeat at Wigan (Image: Camerasport)

In common with each of the four transfer window signings, the Welshman has not yet managed to spark into life, albeit only two of his seven appearances thus far have been from the start.

Thrown on after 20 minutes because of a cruel injury to Carlos Mendes Gomes, Collins supplied some width at times to the Bolton attack but looked ill at ease playing with his back to goal against a defence which had entrenched itself deep on the edge of the penalty box.

Evatt has asked for patience, insisting that Collins can make an impact this season but that he would be better judged with a full pre-season under his belt and a better grip of his tactical demands.

With Charles side-lined, none of the established strikers have truly grasped the chance to make themselves first choice during February. Mendes Gomes’s fine volley against Cambridge certainly hinted at happier times to come but his season has most likely been ended – and neither Jon Dadi Bodvarsson or Victor Adeboyejo has been able to shoulder the goalscoring burden for a prolonged spell.

In the final throes at the DW Stadium, Evatt’s decision to throw on Cameron Jerome for Josh Sheehan left many fans nonplussed. The Latics had defended deep – and well – all night and had just brought on another defender to further strengthen their resolve.

Ricardo Santos wasted what was a very presentable headed chance, and perhaps some added aerial threat was in the manager’s mind when he called for Jerome, having first gone with Bodvarsson. Either way, Jerome did manage to touch the ball three times, which is more than the Icelander, who didn’t get a single look in.

Defending the performance in a defeat such as that on Tuesday night is always going to be a hard sell to supporters but Evatt has valid reasons for doing so. At this stage of the season, he needs to hold team spirit together as best he can – and the criticism which has been difficult to miss since Saturday may even be turned to his advantage.

There is something ironic about February being a day longer this year, as Wanderers emerge from the month with egos bruised and plenty of folk willing to write them off as top two contenders.

Evatt has asked for the fans to stick with him and the team. He needn’t worry, they will. But should Bolton be unable to correct their course this month in some difficult fixtures, some awkward questions may need to be asked when – as looks likely – we see out March on an international break.

Nobody said it was going to be easy but Wanderers are making it harder for themselves.