GEORGE Thomason has sent a message out to Wanderers on the eve of their final home pre-season friendly: Don’t waste your time wondering ‘what if?'

The Bolton midfielder says failure to get automatic promotion last season cut the whole club deep but that the hurt is now acting as motivation for the campaign ahead.

Ian Evatt has made four new signings – and has more planned before the close of the transfer window next month – but the introduction of a new formation and some encouraging pre-season performances have now got the players looking forward with optimism.

“There is only one way we can attack it,” Thomason told The Bolton News. “There is no point being downbeat.

“Of course, at the time it hurt. But you can’t think about what ifs, it is about right now and what we have to go and do. We have a task ahead of us and we are learning new things, that is what pre-season is all about.

“We are trying to become the best version of ourselves to attack a long, hard league. There will be ups and downs but we are determined to come out on top.”

Thomason’s own role has been changed this summer, the midfielder now being asked to play deeper with a more selective approach on when to venture into opposition territory.

Speaking about the tactical changes, the 23-year-old says he has enjoyed the extra responsibility being placed on his shoulders.

“We evolve every transfer window, we bring in new faces and different types of players,” he said. “As you have seen, we are working on a different system and that brings out different and better qualities of different individuals. I think it is coming together nicely.

“It is about working smarter not harder, as such. Last season the number eight roles were traditional – up and down, man to man. Now we are a bit more structured and picking our times to go. When we go, we do it intensely and aggressively. If you work a bit smarter and save your energy, you can start to dominate the ball.

“I played as a six a couple of years ago in League Two so it is not something totally new to me. You are allowed to go and get on the ball, there is freedom. It is a bit more off the cuff and I think everyone is really enjoying it. As you saw tonight, I think it is coming into place well and we are looking forward to the season.”

After an encouraging draw against Serie A Fiorentina on Friday, Wanderers close their pre-season preparations with two games against Potteries rivals Stoke City and Port Vale.

Thomason is looking forward to another test against a side that finished strongly last term to pull away from the relegation spots.

“There is positivity around the group and it will be another good, interesting contest against higher opposition,” he said. “There is an element of (not getting injured) but I think it is about forming relationships on the pitch.

“We are still fine-tuning little bits of work in and out of possession and putting the last bits and bobs together to really attack the season.”