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Tom White says nothing less than promotion will be good enough for Wanderers next season.
But the loanee is confident the new-look team has got what it takes to achieve it, particularly under the guidance of new boss Ian Evatt.
White, who has joined the club on a season-long loan from Blackburn Rovers, won promotion from the National League with Evatt as Barrow defied the odds last season to be crowned champions.
And after a tough time for Wanderers, he has backed the manager to bring the same winning mentality to the University of Bolton Stadium as the club seeks an immediate return to League One.
“It was the same last year (with Evatt demanding promotion),” White explained.
“Some people might have thought it was a bit crazy when you had the likes of Notts County, Wrexham and other big clubs. But the gaffer walked in said ‘we’re going to go for the league title, we’re going to do this’, and I had the confidence in him because I’d seen the seeds being put in place.
“He demands it and if you don’t do what he wants then you might find yourself out of the team.
“I think everyone’s got to buy into it and believe that it’s possible and hopefully we can do it.”
It’s a scenario that will generate internal pressure – on top of the external expectation for Wanderers to win promotion from League Two at the first attempt – but White insists that is something that all the players must embrace, rather than fear when the campaign kicks off.
“We’ve got to put pressure on ourselves, nothing else can really be good enough,” he said.
“We need to be up there, battling in the top three or wherever it may be in trying to get this club into League One.
“The size of Bolton and the fans and everything that goes with it, you’ve got to go into the season aiming for promotion.”
White’s faith is fuelled by experiencing first-hand how Evatt has evolved in management, having done the groundwork in non league.
“When I was at Gateshead in my first year in the National League we played Barrow a few times,” he recalled.
“I remember being in midfield and not really touching the ball and seeing it go past me left, right and centre.
“I was thinking ‘how are this team not further up the league’ because I think they finished 11th that season.
“I think he (Evatt) laid the foundations down in his first season and then really pushed on in the second.
“It’s no coincidence or accident how it’s happened, it’s a successful formula he’s got and I’m sure he’ll bring it to Bolton.”
White is relishing being part of the journey, but beyond that he is unsure what his future holds.
After three years with Gateshead the midfielder joined Blackburn last summer but has only played Under-23s football for the club since his move.
As he enters the final year of his contract at Ewood Park, he is grateful of the opportunity to play for Bolton, and make what will be his Football League debut when the time comes.
“For whatever reason I don’t think it really happened for me at Blackburn,” said the 23-year-old, reflecting on his first season at Ewood Park, which resulted in November loan move to Barrow where he scored twice in 18 appearances in their promotion-winning campaign.
“Whether or not they’ll give me an opportunity in the future I don’t know.”
Instead, White is focusing on the here and now and the opportunity to make an impact with Wanderers after reuniting with Evatt.
“I’m just concentrating my efforts on my season at Bolton and trying to perform on the pitch,” he continued.
“Blackburn have allowed me to go out which I’m thankful for and we’ll just have to wait and see on that side of things.
“I’m just going to get my head down and work hard.”
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But the loanee is confident the new-look team has got what it takes to achieve it, particularly under the guidance of new boss Ian Evatt.
White, who has joined the club on a season-long loan from Blackburn Rovers, won promotion from the National League with Evatt as Barrow defied the odds last season to be crowned champions.
And after a tough time for Wanderers, he has backed the manager to bring the same winning mentality to the University of Bolton Stadium as the club seeks an immediate return to League One.
“It was the same last year (with Evatt demanding promotion),” White explained.
“Some people might have thought it was a bit crazy when you had the likes of Notts County, Wrexham and other big clubs. But the gaffer walked in said ‘we’re going to go for the league title, we’re going to do this’, and I had the confidence in him because I’d seen the seeds being put in place.
“He demands it and if you don’t do what he wants then you might find yourself out of the team.
“I think everyone’s got to buy into it and believe that it’s possible and hopefully we can do it.”
It’s a scenario that will generate internal pressure – on top of the external expectation for Wanderers to win promotion from League Two at the first attempt – but White insists that is something that all the players must embrace, rather than fear when the campaign kicks off.
“We’ve got to put pressure on ourselves, nothing else can really be good enough,” he said.
“We need to be up there, battling in the top three or wherever it may be in trying to get this club into League One.
“The size of Bolton and the fans and everything that goes with it, you’ve got to go into the season aiming for promotion.”
White’s faith is fuelled by experiencing first-hand how Evatt has evolved in management, having done the groundwork in non league.
“When I was at Gateshead in my first year in the National League we played Barrow a few times,” he recalled.
“I remember being in midfield and not really touching the ball and seeing it go past me left, right and centre.
“I was thinking ‘how are this team not further up the league’ because I think they finished 11th that season.
“I think he (Evatt) laid the foundations down in his first season and then really pushed on in the second.
“It’s no coincidence or accident how it’s happened, it’s a successful formula he’s got and I’m sure he’ll bring it to Bolton.”
White is relishing being part of the journey, but beyond that he is unsure what his future holds.
After three years with Gateshead the midfielder joined Blackburn last summer but has only played Under-23s football for the club since his move.
As he enters the final year of his contract at Ewood Park, he is grateful of the opportunity to play for Bolton, and make what will be his Football League debut when the time comes.
“For whatever reason I don’t think it really happened for me at Blackburn,” said the 23-year-old, reflecting on his first season at Ewood Park, which resulted in November loan move to Barrow where he scored twice in 18 appearances in their promotion-winning campaign.
“Whether or not they’ll give me an opportunity in the future I don’t know.”
Instead, White is focusing on the here and now and the opportunity to make an impact with Wanderers after reuniting with Evatt.
“I’m just concentrating my efforts on my season at Bolton and trying to perform on the pitch,” he continued.
“Blackburn have allowed me to go out which I’m thankful for and we’ll just have to wait and see on that side of things.
“I’m just going to get my head down and work hard.”
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