Bolton Wanderers: John McAtee on Charlton Athletic trip

McAtee caught Jones’ eye while playing for Grimsby Town, helping the Mariners win promotion back into the Football League.

He did not get the chance to play under the 51-year-old at Luton, instead returning to Blundell Park on loan to continue his development.

“When I first went in, I was injured and had to get an operation as soon as I signed so I didn’t get to work with him too much,” McAtee told The Bolton News.

“I went on loan and by the time I came back, he had moved on (to Southampton). He is a real nice guy and good manager, his record is very good.”

McAtee’s time at Kenilworth Road came to an end this summer to become part of Ian Evatt’s Wanderers squad.

The Bolton forward has plenty of respect for Jones but insists it will be all business once he steps onto the pitch on Saturday.

“I am one of those people where you can be mates as much as you want off the pitch but as soon as you step over that white line, you are trying to beat them,” he grinned. “There is still respect there, of course.

“I think they will be up there this year. They have got some good players and obviously they are a big club just like Bolton.

“It will be a tough game on Saturday, especially at their ground, but it is one we are excited about and looking forward to.”

McAtee made a promising cameo off the bench at Leyton Orient on the opening day and has started the Whites’ last couple of games.

The attacker made a promising debut at Leyton Orient (Image: CameraSport - Hannah Fountain)

The 25-year-old knew first-hand what the atmosphere at the Toughsheet Community Stadium can be like from the play-offs against Barnsley.

He got to experience it in a Bolton shirt against Wrexham last weekend with more than 25,000 supporters in attendance.

“It was a good at atmosphere,” he said. “It is up to us to give the fans something to shout about.

“On Sunday, you wouldn’t have thought it was a League One game if you didn’t know otherwise! There were good numbers and it was really loud.”

It didn’t take long for the Wanderers faithful to come up with a catchy chant for McAtee, and he already feels at home in white.

“It is brilliant,” he smiled. “It is something that I really enjoy, I like to interact with the fans quite a lot. To be lucky enough to have a chant already is nice, I am enjoying it.”

The size of the club and its fanbase were among the factors that drew McAtee to Bolton when weighing up his next chapter.

The attacker, from Walkden, had significant interest elsewhere in the EFL but felt Wanderers were the right choice on and off the pitch.

“There were other options, it was a big decision because I felt like I have not had a real home in my career,” he explained.

“I did slightly at Grimsby but it is quite far away. This feels like I can really make it my home for quite some time.

“There were lots of factors to why I came here but (the fans) were definitely one of them.

“When I played here in the second leg (last season), I came out and thought, ‘Woah!’ I was a bit taken back by the supporters.”

Evatt had joked McAtee had to “shake a few hands” upon his arrival at the club following some fierce battles with Barnsley.

“There were a few words exchanged when I played against them,” the summer signing laughed.

“I am always like that, I want to win and do as much as I can. But as soon as I stepped in the door, everyone has been really good.”

He has only been at the club for a couple of weeks and is still getting used to his new strike partners.

However, McAtee is confident the Whites’ style of play meshes well with his own game and hopes to kick on in the coming weeks.

“It is just about biding your time and learning how each other plays,” he said.

“It has been really good, everyone has been really welcoming and we talk – even off the pitch – about how we can help each other. It is a good environment.

“I like to attack, create and get the fans off their seats. That is what I will be looking to do, I think it does suit me.”