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After exiting one cup competition, Ian Evatt will be looking for inspiration from his bench to stay in contention in another tomorrow night.
Saturday’s defeat against Bradford City was viewed by most as a warm-up exercise for the real business, which kicks-off against Forest Green this weekend.
But before League Two gets underway, Evatt must negotiate the intricate world of picking a team in the EFL Trophy to face Crewe.
Four ‘qualified players’ must be picked by the Bolton boss, which includes anyone who played against Bradford, will play against Forest Green, anyone who has more than 40 EFL appearances, or anyone on loan from a category one academy – for example, Tom White from Blackburn Rovers.
Evatt says he will make changes to Saturday’s side, which could mean full debuts for new signings Shaun Miller, Andrew Tutte, Jak Hickman and Bright Amoateng.
It could also mean a first glimpse of defender Reiss Greenidge, a first start of this season for Ryan Delaney, or recalls for some of last season’s homegrown heroes – Ronan Darcy, Matt Alexander and Adam Senior.
Wanderers are in an EFL Trophy group alongside Crewe, Shrewsbury and Newcastle United’s Under-21 team in what is their third experience of the competition in this incarnation.
Their previous, three years ago under Phil Parkinson, saw a win and two defeats – the second of which came on a miserable night at Cheltenham Town’s Whaddon Road.
Last season a young team lost against Bradford City on a penalty shootout before a win against Manchester City's Under-23s and a defeat at Rochdale. After getting out of the group they lost to Accrington in the next round.
Though Evatt plans to make changes he does not see the Crewe game as a free hit, building towards Saturday’s league opener.
“The games are coming thick and fast and our primary objective is the league, of course, but having said that there are opportunities for players to play on Tuesday. We can have a good look at them,” he said. “It’s a competitive game, which is important, and we expect to win it – whatever team we play.
“Whatever team I name will have to understand that. We are good enough to win.
Wanderers experienced a few issues on Saturday against Bradford with the lack of atmosphere at the UniBol, which will again be closed to fans for the Crewe game.
“We were speaking about it before the game and it is a really difficult thing as a football player when there isn’t really any atmosphere,” Evatt explained. “You are not under any pressure to speed yourself up and play with tempo. Sometimes a crowd can do that for you because they are encouraging you and willing you forwards.
“When there is no-one to rush you on you can take that extra touch, which slows everything down and space can close up.
“Once we had got back to 1-1, if we’d had a crowd in the building then I think they would have pushed us on, especially with how fantastic they are and how many we think will be coming to games.
“But it is what it is. We have to learn, adapt and overcome. We can’t make an excuse.
“We want a crowd back but first and foremost we have to be better, demand more from ourselves and hopefully that will come soon.”
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Saturday’s defeat against Bradford City was viewed by most as a warm-up exercise for the real business, which kicks-off against Forest Green this weekend.
But before League Two gets underway, Evatt must negotiate the intricate world of picking a team in the EFL Trophy to face Crewe.
Four ‘qualified players’ must be picked by the Bolton boss, which includes anyone who played against Bradford, will play against Forest Green, anyone who has more than 40 EFL appearances, or anyone on loan from a category one academy – for example, Tom White from Blackburn Rovers.
Evatt says he will make changes to Saturday’s side, which could mean full debuts for new signings Shaun Miller, Andrew Tutte, Jak Hickman and Bright Amoateng.
It could also mean a first glimpse of defender Reiss Greenidge, a first start of this season for Ryan Delaney, or recalls for some of last season’s homegrown heroes – Ronan Darcy, Matt Alexander and Adam Senior.
Wanderers are in an EFL Trophy group alongside Crewe, Shrewsbury and Newcastle United’s Under-21 team in what is their third experience of the competition in this incarnation.
Their previous, three years ago under Phil Parkinson, saw a win and two defeats – the second of which came on a miserable night at Cheltenham Town’s Whaddon Road.
Last season a young team lost against Bradford City on a penalty shootout before a win against Manchester City's Under-23s and a defeat at Rochdale. After getting out of the group they lost to Accrington in the next round.
Though Evatt plans to make changes he does not see the Crewe game as a free hit, building towards Saturday’s league opener.
“The games are coming thick and fast and our primary objective is the league, of course, but having said that there are opportunities for players to play on Tuesday. We can have a good look at them,” he said. “It’s a competitive game, which is important, and we expect to win it – whatever team we play.
“Whatever team I name will have to understand that. We are good enough to win.
Wanderers experienced a few issues on Saturday against Bradford with the lack of atmosphere at the UniBol, which will again be closed to fans for the Crewe game.
“We were speaking about it before the game and it is a really difficult thing as a football player when there isn’t really any atmosphere,” Evatt explained. “You are not under any pressure to speed yourself up and play with tempo. Sometimes a crowd can do that for you because they are encouraging you and willing you forwards.
“When there is no-one to rush you on you can take that extra touch, which slows everything down and space can close up.
“Once we had got back to 1-1, if we’d had a crowd in the building then I think they would have pushed us on, especially with how fantastic they are and how many we think will be coming to games.
“But it is what it is. We have to learn, adapt and overcome. We can’t make an excuse.
“We want a crowd back but first and foremost we have to be better, demand more from ourselves and hopefully that will come soon.”
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