WANDERERS fans get their first glimpse of Ian Evatt’s ‘Plan 2.0’ today as his side play their first public friendly at Bishop Auckland against Middlesbrough.
New signings Scott Arfield and Klaidi Lolos are due to be part of the squad looking to build on their encouraging win against West Brom behind closed doors last weekend.
Evatt has hinted that he will use this summer’s friendly schedule to bed in a more “flexible” tactical system than we saw last season. The Bolton boss maintains that the style of football he has used in his four years at the club can get the Whites out of League One but he hopes to be able to bring in personnel over the coming weeks which can vary the shape and system, if needed.
Wanderers were given 350 tickets for the friendly, with Boro – who use Heritage Park for their Under-21 games – having to put sales on hold yesterday because of the global IT outage. The club have confirmed there will be no sales on the day of the game.
Evatt admitted last weekend that his squad was looking ‘light’ because of injuries and it is unlikely that Gethin Jones (knee), Dion Charles (knee), Randell Williams (foot), Chris Forino (thigh) or Carlos Mendes Gomes (Achillies) will take part.
Jack Iredale stands an outside chance after recovering from a minor groin injury but goalkeeper Luke Southwood is unlikely to feature having recently returned from a fracture in his leg.
Wanderers fans not heading to the Middlesbrough friendly this weekend can instead watch some former favourites taking part in a charity game.
The event, which is organised by the Bolton Wanderers Remembrance Group, is being held at Atherton Colls.
Nicky Hunt, Abdoulaye Faye, Filipe Morais, Jem Karacan, Jeff Smith and David Norris will all be returning to the pitch.
Luke Joyce, Chris Brown and Rhyce Ramsden will also be taking part, with John McGinlay and Mark Came managing the teams.
Gary Henshaw, John Thomason and Megan Campbell will also be in attendance as special guests.
In addition to the action on the pitch, the event will feature live music, food and drink, funfair rides and a range of stalls and activities for all ages.
Doors open from 11am at the Skuna Stadium and the match will be kicking off at 3pm.
Tickets are still available and are priced at £5 for adults and 50p for children. Family tickets for two adults and two children cost £10 (booking fees may apply).
The aim of the event is to raise funds for a number of charities and organisations that carry out important work in the local community and further afield, including Bolton Hospice, Whysup, Bolton Wanderers in the Community, Andy’s Man Club and Be Strong.
The teams will be sporting special shirts designed by Concept BWFC for the match. For every white shirt sold, £5 will go directly to Bolton Hospice and for every black shirt sold, £5 will go directly to Whysup.
Last year’s event was a huge success, raising more than £10,500 in total after a big turnout from the Wanderers faithful.
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