Emotions exploded after last week’s dreadful performance against Huddersfield. The Bolton family fell out big-style as everyone voiced their opinions about what needed to be done, with the majority calling for heads to roll. By midweek, though, tempers had begun to cool and most fans rallied to the call for togetherness.

The Doombar deliberations were very much a case of ‘let’s see what we can do to turn things around and get our season back on track.’ The fans turned out in force, including the BWSC Norway, over for their annual pilgrimage.

The fans backed the team from the start, hoping they would respond - and respond they did. We were on fire in the first half, racing into a 4-1 half-time lead. The spirit was back; the forward drive was back, led superbly by Victor Adeboyejo and Dion Charles, who bagged a hat-trick. We didn’t have it all our own way as Reading got back into the game twice and looked like scoring more. It was strange feeling nervous when you are 4-2 up, but that was we Bolton fans, before substitute Kyle Dempsey wrapped it up at 5-2 and very nearly made it six, crashing one against the bar. There was huge relief all round for the fans, the players, the management and the board.

All things considered, it was a heartwarming response after a very emotional week. It won’t have pleased everyone, but it was a step in the right direction. It wasn’t perfect but surely, we have something to build on.

Arsenal will be a day out for everyone and should be treated that way. The next league matches against Crawley, Northampton and Shrewsbury will be the real test of character and whether we really have got our season back on track.

Three wins would really boost our confidence, something that plays such a big part in football. Towards the end of the match, the East Stand were singing Ian Evatt’s name while there was an ‘Evatt Out’ banner in the North Stand. But that’s families for you, always falling out through different opinions but coming together when needed. As with any recovering patient, let’s take things one step at a time and maybe we can make this season the success we all want.