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Ian Evatt is strongly considering switching to a back four in an effort to kickstart Wanderers’ League Two campaign.
After a run of just one win in six games, the Bolton boss hopes to freshen up his squad over the coming week and bring some new ideas to the training ground.
Wanderers have played almost exclusively in a 3-4-1-2 formation since August, mirroring the same shape Evatt used to win the National League at Barrow last season, and the one around which the majority of last summer’s recruitment was also geared towards.
But the crippling inconsistency either side of November has left Evatt searching for a different formula, and he has been encouraged by the success of a switch to 4-2-3-1 within games over the last few weeks.
Attacking left-back Declan John should be in place by the end of this week, with his loan move from Swansea City understood to be close to completion.
And provided there are no major recriminations from the Covid-19 tests taken by the squad after Saturday’s game, the results of which are expected today, Evatt plans to work on a new team shape before the trip to Exeter City on January 12.
Asked about a change in shape, the manager told The Bolton News: “First and foremost we definitely need a natural left-sider on the left before we can. Everyone knows that. It isn’t rocket science.
“I think maybe changing from a three to a four at the back will serve us well, going forwards.
“We went to a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 for the last half an hour (against Crawley) and I thought it really suited us well, and that we created a lot of chances in a short space of time.”
Wanderers sent Liam Gordon out on loan to his former club Dagenham and Redbridge last month and were without Jamie Mascoll on Saturday through injury.
Their imbalance has been a constant issue and led to Gethin Jones and Harry Brockbank being played out of position in Evatt’s preferred formation.
The addition of John, return to full fitness of Lloyd Isgrove, plus the rise of left-sided midfielder George Thomason – who was yesterday voted fans’ player of the month for December – could give Wanderers better options down both flanks.
Meanwhile, Wanderers have confirmed that their home game against Morecambe, which was called off last month because of the effects of Covid-19 on the opposition squad, has been rearranged for Tuesday, February 9 at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The game at Exeter will also kick-off at 7pm, the club has confirmed.
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After a run of just one win in six games, the Bolton boss hopes to freshen up his squad over the coming week and bring some new ideas to the training ground.
Wanderers have played almost exclusively in a 3-4-1-2 formation since August, mirroring the same shape Evatt used to win the National League at Barrow last season, and the one around which the majority of last summer’s recruitment was also geared towards.
But the crippling inconsistency either side of November has left Evatt searching for a different formula, and he has been encouraged by the success of a switch to 4-2-3-1 within games over the last few weeks.
Attacking left-back Declan John should be in place by the end of this week, with his loan move from Swansea City understood to be close to completion.
And provided there are no major recriminations from the Covid-19 tests taken by the squad after Saturday’s game, the results of which are expected today, Evatt plans to work on a new team shape before the trip to Exeter City on January 12.
Asked about a change in shape, the manager told The Bolton News: “First and foremost we definitely need a natural left-sider on the left before we can. Everyone knows that. It isn’t rocket science.
“I think maybe changing from a three to a four at the back will serve us well, going forwards.
“We went to a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 for the last half an hour (against Crawley) and I thought it really suited us well, and that we created a lot of chances in a short space of time.”
Wanderers sent Liam Gordon out on loan to his former club Dagenham and Redbridge last month and were without Jamie Mascoll on Saturday through injury.
Their imbalance has been a constant issue and led to Gethin Jones and Harry Brockbank being played out of position in Evatt’s preferred formation.
The addition of John, return to full fitness of Lloyd Isgrove, plus the rise of left-sided midfielder George Thomason – who was yesterday voted fans’ player of the month for December – could give Wanderers better options down both flanks.
Meanwhile, Wanderers have confirmed that their home game against Morecambe, which was called off last month because of the effects of Covid-19 on the opposition squad, has been rearranged for Tuesday, February 9 at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The game at Exeter will also kick-off at 7pm, the club has confirmed.
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