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It has been a rare occasion in recent years that Bolton Wanderers’ first-choice strikers head into the new season in such rude goalscoring form, yet there is still an undisputed wave of concern about the depth of Ian Evatt’s attacking ranks.
The twin threat of Eoin Doyle and Nathan Delfouneso compares favourably to anything that League Two has to offer and their performances in pre-season are one of the main reasons such confidence exists around the University of Bolton Stadium.
Former Blackpool man Delfouneso has five goals to show for his summer, while Doyle has also scored on three separate occasions, hinting that his electric form for Swindon Town last season can translate to his new club.
Indeed, there is optimistic talk among Bolton fans that this could be the season where not just one but two players score 12-plus goals – something which has not been achieved since Michael Ricketts towards the turn of the millennium.
The worry, however, is that beyond Doyle and Delfouneso there is a distinct lack of experience which renders Wanderers vulnerable should they pick up injuries.
Evatt has almost exclusively played both strikers together during pre-season, breaking the partnership only with late substitutions in the form of Muhammadu Faal, Callum King-Harmes or a youthful trialist.
It was confirmed this week that King-Harmes, not a natural front man by any means, will be loaned out to Bamber Bridge this season for experience.
Faal is also earmarked for a loan move, although plans have been put on hold for now as the player has picked up a foot injury. A good number of clubs have enquired about the former Enfield man, who came in on trial last October and was then signed on a permanent basis by Keith Hill, who used him only sparingly in League One.
Wanderers are making space for new arrivals by shipping some of their youngsters out on youth loans, which allow the player to continue to train with Evatt’s squad during the week and be released for duty on matchdays.
The head coach has underlined that those who are loaned out will not be marginalised and that their development will continue to be closely monitored.
It cannot be ignored, however, that his short-term target is promotion from League Two, and the odds of that happening could currently be significantly altered if either Doyle or Delfouneso were to pick up an injury, forcing him to change the system he has worked hard to integrate this summer.
For the last eight weeks Wanderers have stuck to the Pep Guardiola-inspired 3-4-1-2 formation which served Evatt so well at Barrow last season, and though there have been some initial teething problems at the back, the forward line have looked in good nick.
Doyle’s predatory instincts and tendency to play on the defender’s shoulder blends nicely with Delfouneso’s movement and willingness to drop deeper, linking up with the midfield.
The pair’s goal return suggest the partnership is working nicely but with a 46-game league campaign and cup competitions sprawling out ahead, experienced reinforcements are surely needed if Bolton are to bounce back at the first time of asking?
Evatt was getting favourable comparisons with the great Bruce Rioch earlier this summer, as his uncomplicated and upbeat interviews stoked interest among the fans, reflected in season tickets now approaching the 7,000 mark.
And it might be that he should take a page from the old master’s handbook as he puts some finishing touches to the squad before next month’s transfer deadline.
Rioch recalls the sound advice passed on to him by his chief scout, Ian McNeil, when he was attempting to turn around Wanderers’ fortunes in the early nineties.
“He’d say to me that you can never have too many strikers, you should collect them,” explained the legendary Burnden boss. “And do you know what, he was right. It creates competition, gives you options and flexibility. You can always go and win a game.”
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The twin threat of Eoin Doyle and Nathan Delfouneso compares favourably to anything that League Two has to offer and their performances in pre-season are one of the main reasons such confidence exists around the University of Bolton Stadium.
Former Blackpool man Delfouneso has five goals to show for his summer, while Doyle has also scored on three separate occasions, hinting that his electric form for Swindon Town last season can translate to his new club.
Indeed, there is optimistic talk among Bolton fans that this could be the season where not just one but two players score 12-plus goals – something which has not been achieved since Michael Ricketts towards the turn of the millennium.
The worry, however, is that beyond Doyle and Delfouneso there is a distinct lack of experience which renders Wanderers vulnerable should they pick up injuries.
Evatt has almost exclusively played both strikers together during pre-season, breaking the partnership only with late substitutions in the form of Muhammadu Faal, Callum King-Harmes or a youthful trialist.
It was confirmed this week that King-Harmes, not a natural front man by any means, will be loaned out to Bamber Bridge this season for experience.
Faal is also earmarked for a loan move, although plans have been put on hold for now as the player has picked up a foot injury. A good number of clubs have enquired about the former Enfield man, who came in on trial last October and was then signed on a permanent basis by Keith Hill, who used him only sparingly in League One.
Wanderers are making space for new arrivals by shipping some of their youngsters out on youth loans, which allow the player to continue to train with Evatt’s squad during the week and be released for duty on matchdays.
The head coach has underlined that those who are loaned out will not be marginalised and that their development will continue to be closely monitored.
It cannot be ignored, however, that his short-term target is promotion from League Two, and the odds of that happening could currently be significantly altered if either Doyle or Delfouneso were to pick up an injury, forcing him to change the system he has worked hard to integrate this summer.
For the last eight weeks Wanderers have stuck to the Pep Guardiola-inspired 3-4-1-2 formation which served Evatt so well at Barrow last season, and though there have been some initial teething problems at the back, the forward line have looked in good nick.
Doyle’s predatory instincts and tendency to play on the defender’s shoulder blends nicely with Delfouneso’s movement and willingness to drop deeper, linking up with the midfield.
The pair’s goal return suggest the partnership is working nicely but with a 46-game league campaign and cup competitions sprawling out ahead, experienced reinforcements are surely needed if Bolton are to bounce back at the first time of asking?
Evatt was getting favourable comparisons with the great Bruce Rioch earlier this summer, as his uncomplicated and upbeat interviews stoked interest among the fans, reflected in season tickets now approaching the 7,000 mark.
And it might be that he should take a page from the old master’s handbook as he puts some finishing touches to the squad before next month’s transfer deadline.
Rioch recalls the sound advice passed on to him by his chief scout, Ian McNeil, when he was attempting to turn around Wanderers’ fortunes in the early nineties.
“He’d say to me that you can never have too many strikers, you should collect them,” explained the legendary Burnden boss. “And do you know what, he was right. It creates competition, gives you options and flexibility. You can always go and win a game.”
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