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Wanderers’ final two signings of the January transfer window will be difference-makers, insists Ian Evatt.
The Bolton boss hopes to boost his attacking ranks in the coming weeks but knows his top target has options higher up the football pyramid.
A new goalkeeper could also be on the cards, depending on whether Billy Crellin returns to Fleetwood Town.
Evatt, who brought in loanees Zack Elbouzedi and Ben Jackson at the weekend, is keen to end the window with a statement signing. And despite his side’s inconsistency in the first half of the season, the Whites boss believes the club’s reputation will prove an advantage when his top targets are making up their mind.
“The more experienced and better players we want have aspirations to play higher up, whether that’s in League One or the Championship,” he said. “But this club sells itself.
“We haven’t got the support inside the ground, sadly, but the numbers we have outside, the facilities, the stadium, the history, it all speaks a lot for us.
“I think the way we play is also an advantage. People enjoy having in the ball, being possession-based, so that will also stand us in good stead.
“Hopefully we’ll get the right ones in and they will make the right decision, to come here and help us improve.”
Evatt wanted to keep the arrival of Elbouzedi, from Lincoln, and Jackson, from Huddersfield, under wraps so that he could launch them straight into the side to face Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
He has voiced his frustrations that the players’ names were leaked online on Friday but hopes his last bits of business can stay under the radar for the time being.
The pair only trained with the squad once last week before making their debut but Evatt – who also snapped up Declan John from Swansea City earlier in the month – feels his options on the left are now strong.
“It’s about having more balance on that side of the team,” he said. “Declan has not been available through injury but Jacko has shown at 19 years old that he’s more than capable of coming in and doing the job.
“I think there’s a better balance to the team when there’s a natural left footer there. That’s no disrespect to Brocky (Harry Brockbank) or Gethin (Jones) who have done outstandingly well when asked to play out of position, but just naturally having the left footer there helps.
“Obviously, we’ve got Jamie (Mascoll) as well who can play there, too, so we have plenty of options available now.”
Source
The Bolton boss hopes to boost his attacking ranks in the coming weeks but knows his top target has options higher up the football pyramid.
A new goalkeeper could also be on the cards, depending on whether Billy Crellin returns to Fleetwood Town.
Evatt, who brought in loanees Zack Elbouzedi and Ben Jackson at the weekend, is keen to end the window with a statement signing. And despite his side’s inconsistency in the first half of the season, the Whites boss believes the club’s reputation will prove an advantage when his top targets are making up their mind.
“The more experienced and better players we want have aspirations to play higher up, whether that’s in League One or the Championship,” he said. “But this club sells itself.
“We haven’t got the support inside the ground, sadly, but the numbers we have outside, the facilities, the stadium, the history, it all speaks a lot for us.
“I think the way we play is also an advantage. People enjoy having in the ball, being possession-based, so that will also stand us in good stead.
“Hopefully we’ll get the right ones in and they will make the right decision, to come here and help us improve.”
Evatt wanted to keep the arrival of Elbouzedi, from Lincoln, and Jackson, from Huddersfield, under wraps so that he could launch them straight into the side to face Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
He has voiced his frustrations that the players’ names were leaked online on Friday but hopes his last bits of business can stay under the radar for the time being.
The pair only trained with the squad once last week before making their debut but Evatt – who also snapped up Declan John from Swansea City earlier in the month – feels his options on the left are now strong.
“It’s about having more balance on that side of the team,” he said. “Declan has not been available through injury but Jacko has shown at 19 years old that he’s more than capable of coming in and doing the job.
“I think there’s a better balance to the team when there’s a natural left footer there. That’s no disrespect to Brocky (Harry Brockbank) or Gethin (Jones) who have done outstandingly well when asked to play out of position, but just naturally having the left footer there helps.
“Obviously, we’ve got Jamie (Mascoll) as well who can play there, too, so we have plenty of options available now.”
Source