Bolton Wanderers column - Exeter defeat & Huddersfield test

Since the start of this calendar year with Bolton’s 1-0 win against Burton Albion on New Year's Day, Ian Evatt’s men have played 30 league games. During that spell, they have won 12 times, lost eight games and drawn 10 others.

That sample size in itself represents more than half a season, so it gives us quite a bit of context to look at in terms of recent form and any information we can pull from that data.

Effectively, it tells us what we already knew: Bolton’s run of form post-Christmas was not ideal and, in turn, there were a lot of dropped points which cost them an automatic spot as they fell away from Portsmouth and Derby.

To be fully transparent, those 30 league games include the play-off semi-final games so, although Wanderers lost the second leg they still progressed to the play-off final, but we all know how that ended don’t we?

There may be conversations about a ‘play-off hangover’ or a bad start to the season, but that is not true. There have been issues on the pitch from a purely footballing standpoint, which have stretched back for months now.

Evatt said Wanderers need to forget about the play-off heartbreak and put it behind them. He also said that some players have not had full pre-seasons because they were signed later in the window, thus not being 100 per cent.

Regardless of outside factors, the Bolton team that lined up on Saturday against Exeter should be beating them. For all of the talk about xG or the number of shots they had, outside of Aaron Collins’ strike that hit the woodwork and maybe one or two other chances, Bolton did not look threatening.

It took until Exeter scored their second for Bolton to attack with purpose and intensity. Upping the pace seemed to cause them problems so should that not be the standard from the first whistle?

What do I know? I am just a fan who writes an article once a week. I still back Evatt but that support will wane if this form continues. You can already sense discontent around the ground, especially on Saturday, and once fans start voting with their feet or that backing wavers, it is so hard to win it back.

The team is capable of going on a run but the more Bolton fall away from the top teams in the league, the harder it is to gain that ground back. If you get to November and there is a sizeable gap between the top six and wherever Bolton may be, a decision will need to be made either way.

This all seems rather negative, but it is truly where my head is at right now. There is time to grab a few wins and the whole mood can suddenly change, starting with Huddersfield a week today, but I feel that the approach by Evatt needs to be altered as well.

Watching Bolton right now, not a lot seems to have changed from the second half of last season and judging by how 2024 has gone so far, I am not sure that is a good thing.

House of cards is wobbling for Wanderers

By Chris McKeown

John McAtee goes for goal against Exeter (Image: CameraSport - Alex Dodd)

Saturday started off full of promise, the loss at Charlton was hopefully going to be put to one side and a ‘normal service resumed’ policy was expected against Exeter.

The midweek cup win against Shrewsbury was rewarded with a draw against Premier League giants Arsenal and a trip to the Emirates. A great draw for everyone to look forward to and an added touch of cup nostalgia for fans of a certain age!

So, all was set up for BWFC to finally get the season up and running against the Grecians. Only it didn’t go to plan.

I was really looking forward to the match, and the day itself. I spent the afternoon with my friend in the Lion of Vienna Suite, the food and entertainment was of the highest quality. The game, however, didn’t reach the same standard.

I have spoken about confidence needing to be rebuilt and this match seemed, at least on paper, to be the opportunity to really kick start the campaign but the whole game played out with a feeling that, whatever we tried, it was not going to work.

Credit must be given to Exeter, but this really did feel like we gave away the points rather than being outplayed by the opposition.

To see Ian Evatt slumped in his chair during the second half definitely reflected the mood of the ground. The stats showed we had far more shots but we never got going. An opportunity missed.

We needed to get these bumper crowds onside and banging on the door to get tickets for future games. We needed the morale of the supporters upbeat going into an international break in good spirts.

Yes, the large hardcore supporters will be back for more, rain or shine, but with the last two home matches having gained almost 50,000 supporters through the turnstiles, it could be a golden chance to showcase the quality this team possesses, that wasn’t fully taken.

We have unfortunately had the start to the season that adds doubt and uncertainty - seemingly shooting ourselves in the foot.

Speaking of shooting, I think most fans are completely perplexed that with the array of firepower that’s been added to the team, that we have failed to score in three consecutive league games. Surely this can’t last with the proven records our attackers have? But the team looks to be a bit disjointed currently. You would have to say if/when it comes together, it should be a frontline that opponents fear.

I always try to find a ray of sunshine with BWFC but Saturday would test the best of us to find something tangible to hold on to! So, what next?

I think the next two home games are absolutely pivotal to our short term success. We don’t have to set the world alight with the displays but we must find a way to grind out results and put ourselves back into contention. The mindset of Evatt, players and the supporters needs to be given an injection of belief.

I mentioned previously that confidence could be akin to a ‘house of cards’. Well, a strong wind is blowing around the stadium, testing the foundations. Let's hope Ian Evatt can ‘Bridge’ the gap between ourselves and the promotion hopefuls. A little ‘Patience’ may be needed.

The To Do List

By Lee Sidebotham

Let's not get carried away just yet.

There is no question it has been a tough start to the season. We have struggled adapting to our new style of play both defensively and in attack. We have shown hardly any creativity and seem to struggle when we get into the final third of the opposition’s half.

However, we have been gifted two weeks to change things around and should be looking to make the most of the international break.

Evatt spoke last week about how the squad is still gelling and settling in. Sure, the international break gives those who need to recover from fatigue a chance to do so. But we also need to use these two weeks to get in as much training as possible and get used to the new system.

Speaking of the new system, I have seen a lot of supporters online talk about turning to 4-2-3-1, 4-3-2-1 or even going back to the 5-3-2. While I agree we need to change things up, I trust Evatt in his thinking with the formation and tactics. However, he does need to try something new. If the first four games in the league have taught us anything, we can't just stick three good strikers on and go for broke. We need to come up with a proper Plan B.

I said a few weeks ago that, in my opinion, we have the best strike force in the league and I stand by that. Yet we've scored just two goals in the division so far, both from the first game of the season. Sure, in all fairness against Charlton they didn't get much service.

But with nearly 15 goal attempts against Exeter last week, we should have got something from them. Maybe I’m wrong, but at the moment they don’t seem to be playing with any expressiveness. Take Collins for example, where are the shots from outside the box and drives into the area we saw last season?

Collins and McAtee seemingly threw everything out the window Tuesday night in the second half against Barrow and it worked. How many times in a game do we all shout 'shoot' during a game, just for the ball to be played sideways instead.

It seems like the new system has everyone too structured. Individually, there is no doubt in my mind we have one of the best teams in the league. Let's go back to basics and bring more expressiveness into how we play, especially in attack.

We are four games in, let’s not forget. Look at how Derby started last year and where they ended up. They lost to Barrow in the Carabao Cup last week just to add more into perspective. Portsmouth also won the league with seemingly over four games to go, so anyone who says our season is over and we are looking at mid-table obscurity is wrong by a longshot.

That is only if we use the next two-weeks wisely.

All aboard?

By Becca Ashworth

Wanderers boss Ian Evatt (Image: CameraSport - Alex Dodd)

The Ian Evatt train has recently hit rush hour popularity, with fans bundling onto it in our current run of draws and defeats.

When this train first pulled in, I wasn’t ready. After Wembley defeat, when fans started to board in droves, I still sat on the platform, adamantly in support of Evatt, despite the betrayal on the biggest footballing stage.

Nowadays, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t beginning to get frustrated. I sit there, just like anyone else, shouting pointlessly at the team sheet. With Jay Matete especially overlooked, and Josh Sheehan (despite his brilliance) consistently marked out of games, it seems that Evatt is quite simply missing the painfully obvious (emphasis on painfully).

I’m normally dead set against spectator seat managing (a close relative of passenger seat driving), but I’m starting to feel that we can’t all be wrong. While I’m not expecting Evatt to message me or my fellow fans for coaching tips any time soon, I hope he is noticing the same things we are, and that he won’t be too stubborn to make a change. If not, I might be tempted to board the Evatt Out Express.

If I’m honest, however, I’m still not quite ready. I’m scared of missing the train, or being the only one left on the platform, but I’m also comfortable clinging to the safety the platform gives me. We’ve all been on a train that’s trundled to a halt, held by an unexpected delay. No one likes the unknown, especially on a track in the middle of nowhere, where you typically have no phone service or connection to the outside world.

The grass isn’t always greener when you’re stuck in a field, and, frankly, I don’t know if the Evatt Out Express would get us to our destination quicker. Sometimes it’s safest sticking with the devil you know: there’s always going to be a couple delays with a big switch up and, besides, who would we get to replace him anyway?

Although it’s dwindling, I still have faith in Evatt. His mentality seems to have shifted for this season, and his substitutes, although still often like-for-like, seem to be becoming more proactive than reactive, or at least earlier if still reactive. Not to mention, Chris Markham and he have delivered an exceptional transfer window.

There’s hope that these early games are teething issues – a repeat of Derby’s slow start last season, as we grow into promotion-worthy form. That’s why I’m going to (for now) stay on the platform, safely behind the yellow line. I can’t say I’m not worried that I might miss the faster train, but I still (just about) believe in Evatt to get us to our destination.

I just hope he’s got his receipts ready for any ‘delay repay’ needed on our route to promotion.

Analysing what’s not working at Wanderers

by James Scott

Four points in four league games is not the start Wanderers envisioned.

Even the most pessimistic of fans wouldn’t have imagined Bolton would be beaten by Exeter, who 10 months ago left the Toughsheet Community Stadium with their tails between their legs having conceded seven. The performance attracted plenty of outside noise, as Bolton head for the international break in desperate need of a total reset.

The big debate lies in finding out what isn’t working for Bolton. Some blame the manager, who despite tweaking his tactics this season after being out-thought in the playoff final, has seen little reward for the efforts. Others blame the players. Against Exeter, Wanderers created more than enough chances to be competitive, with each of the starting front three missing one good chance.

When looking at the managerial flaws, Bolton still suffer from the same issues as last season – the wing-backs are the only width, and the lack of quality on the flanks means Bolton’s play is extremely narrow. This makes it easy for compact defences to cut out any attacks.

Furthermore, Wanderers still play far too slowly. Anytime Santos puts his studs on the ball, fans get flashbacks to that fateful first half at Wembley, which saw Bolton unable to move forward as they were crowded out of the middle of the pitch. This rigidness and Evatt’s failure to get Wanderers going in big games is a flaw in the Bolton boss’ armoury.

The blame cannot solely lay at Evatt’s door, however. In a game of hypotheticals, Wanderers could have been promoted had Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s header against Derby found the net. Should Wanderers win that game, a six-point swing over Derby would have them in the automatic promotion spots.

These shortcomings were even more exaggerated in the dropped points against Wrexham. Dion Charles’s left-footed effort in the second half was a massive chance, and not dissimilar to one he scored against Port Vale 12 months ago. Had Bolton gained the two extra points on offer there, although there would still be critics after an uncomfortable start to the season, the two wins would have given Wanderers something to build on.

Despite not scoring at home so far this season, there is a small glimmer to cling on to. Players will be returning from injury after the break and the squad is getting much needed reset before a big test at home to Huddersfield.

Should Bolton win that, there will be a morale boost and belief creeping back into the Toughsheet, but for now, the stadium feels bereft of optimism. The full blame is on neither Evatt nor the players, but both must step up, quickly.