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Ricardo Santos can win over his doubters at Wanderers, says Ian Evatt.
The former Peterborough defender starred in the 2-1 win at Harrogate on Saturday playing in the middle of a back three alongside Harry Brockbank and Ryan Delaney.
Santos has had a rough start to his career at Bolton since signing from Barnet in the summer but Evatt is confident his improved display at the Keepmoat Stadium was a sign of things to come.
“I believe in him and he knows I do,” the head coach said. “He will be a top player for this football club, mark my words.
“No we haven’t shown it so far – and maybe I am still figuring it out a bit myself – but in the middle of a back three I thought Rico was immense.
“Equally, Ryan Delaney and Harry (Brockbank) were outstanding. Harry just told me that was his first win for the club, so as a Bolton lad and a young player who came through the ranks I am proud of him because he took his chance today.”
Both Delaney and Brockbank played their first league game of the season, two of five changes made to the starting line-up that had been beaten by Newport the previous weekend.
“They have had a point to prove, no doubt, but that is football. If you get a chance, you take it, and those boys did today,” Evatt said.
“The players out of the team can be the most important ones. The 11 takes care of itself because they are happy, they are playing. It’s the ones who are not in the team that you have to keep onside and involved. The reaction of the ones who were left out today was perfect, they really got behind the lads who were playing.
“Everyone is so happy and rightfully so. I’ll have a beer tonight and reflect, we’ve got a big week coming.”
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The former Peterborough defender starred in the 2-1 win at Harrogate on Saturday playing in the middle of a back three alongside Harry Brockbank and Ryan Delaney.
Santos has had a rough start to his career at Bolton since signing from Barnet in the summer but Evatt is confident his improved display at the Keepmoat Stadium was a sign of things to come.
“I believe in him and he knows I do,” the head coach said. “He will be a top player for this football club, mark my words.
“No we haven’t shown it so far – and maybe I am still figuring it out a bit myself – but in the middle of a back three I thought Rico was immense.
“Equally, Ryan Delaney and Harry (Brockbank) were outstanding. Harry just told me that was his first win for the club, so as a Bolton lad and a young player who came through the ranks I am proud of him because he took his chance today.”
Both Delaney and Brockbank played their first league game of the season, two of five changes made to the starting line-up that had been beaten by Newport the previous weekend.
“They have had a point to prove, no doubt, but that is football. If you get a chance, you take it, and those boys did today,” Evatt said.
“The players out of the team can be the most important ones. The 11 takes care of itself because they are happy, they are playing. It’s the ones who are not in the team that you have to keep onside and involved. The reaction of the ones who were left out today was perfect, they really got behind the lads who were playing.
“Everyone is so happy and rightfully so. I’ll have a beer tonight and reflect, we’ve got a big week coming.”
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