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Ian Evatt is pondering whether to throw old head Alex Baptiste back into the mix against Grimsby Town on Saturday.
Wanderers carved out their first win of the season against Harrogate with a relatively inexperienced back line – and with former Blackpool man Baptiste fit again there is a possibility he could be brought back to add stability.
Evatt has praised the central three of Harry Brockbank, Ricardo Santos and Ryan Delaney who held firm in the 2-1 win at the Keepmoat Stadium but admits he has a big decision to make.
“I think Baps has shown through his career and even in the games he’s played here, he’s consistent, he’s experienced, calm in possession and in his defending. He can only help the young ones,” he told The Bolton News.
“But I must say I thought that back three was outstanding last weekend at Harrogate. The way they dealt with the aerial threat they posed and the way they defended our box was exactly what I wanted to see.
“We have got some real competition there for places, now. We want that. The lads in possession of the shirt have got to know they have to play well to stay in that team.
“I think a clean sheet would be nice. Both Tuesday and Saturday we defended better and maybe deserved a bit more but you have to cut out those mistakes because they will cost us. I think this team is always likely to score – but that determination to defend is key.”
Wanderers are still waiting for their first result at the University of Bolton Stadium this season and though they will once again be playing to empty stands, Evatt hopes the recent improvements on the road will return home with them.
“We need to start making it more of a fortress,” he said. “It’s frustrating and strange that so many away teams are getting results at the moment and it must be down to not having crowds in stadia.
“We have to concentrate on the performances, wherever the game may be. If we can get some consistency then we’ll win games at home.
“I feel like we have turned that corner. On the training ground I am seeing good signs, and we saw that in the last couple of games as well, so hopefully it continues Saturday against Grimsby.”
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Wanderers carved out their first win of the season against Harrogate with a relatively inexperienced back line – and with former Blackpool man Baptiste fit again there is a possibility he could be brought back to add stability.
Evatt has praised the central three of Harry Brockbank, Ricardo Santos and Ryan Delaney who held firm in the 2-1 win at the Keepmoat Stadium but admits he has a big decision to make.
“I think Baps has shown through his career and even in the games he’s played here, he’s consistent, he’s experienced, calm in possession and in his defending. He can only help the young ones,” he told The Bolton News.
“But I must say I thought that back three was outstanding last weekend at Harrogate. The way they dealt with the aerial threat they posed and the way they defended our box was exactly what I wanted to see.
“We have got some real competition there for places, now. We want that. The lads in possession of the shirt have got to know they have to play well to stay in that team.
“I think a clean sheet would be nice. Both Tuesday and Saturday we defended better and maybe deserved a bit more but you have to cut out those mistakes because they will cost us. I think this team is always likely to score – but that determination to defend is key.”
Wanderers are still waiting for their first result at the University of Bolton Stadium this season and though they will once again be playing to empty stands, Evatt hopes the recent improvements on the road will return home with them.
“We need to start making it more of a fortress,” he said. “It’s frustrating and strange that so many away teams are getting results at the moment and it must be down to not having crowds in stadia.
“We have to concentrate on the performances, wherever the game may be. If we can get some consistency then we’ll win games at home.
“I feel like we have turned that corner. On the training ground I am seeing good signs, and we saw that in the last couple of games as well, so hopefully it continues Saturday against Grimsby.”
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