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Ian Evatt wants Elias Kachunga to write his own cup headlines at the UniBol this weekend.
The former Huddersfield Town striker had come in for criticism in some quarters for his recent performances at Wanderers and has yet to score his first goal for the club in 21 outings.
Kachunga got much better reviews in midweek, however, as Bolton returned to winning ways in the Papa John’s Trophy at Rochdale, and Evatt hopes he can go one step further against Stockport County on Sunday afternoon.
Playing in a wide-right role, the 29-year-old perhaps does not have the same goal expectancy on his shoulders as he would playing through the middle of the Wanderers attack.
But while Evatt has praised his work outside the penalty box, he knows the summer signing will only be considered a success once he hits the back of the net.
“Kacha just needs a goal, I just want him to score, I really do,” he told The Bolton News.
“He has got into some good positions and it hasn’t worked with him. He has to stay patient, keep getting into the right areas and back himself to score.
“But I have to say that his work ethic for the team is unquestionable.
“The way he sets the press is superb. And I think the way we pressed the ball at Rochdale was great, the lines were compact, we made it tough for them and they are a team that play the right way and cause you problems.
“The front three set the tone. They need that work ethic and when they work like that as a unit we are very difficult to work through.
“When we regain that ball we need to be ruthless and clinical, and I think what we saw there was much more like it from all of them.”
Wanderers rattled three goals past Rochdale on Tuesday and now face National League opposition in Stockport in the FA Cup first round.
The Hatters have struggled in the league this season but have recently invested heavily in the playing staff – including the signing of Bolton’s Antoni Sarcevic. The Edgeley Park club has also lured former player Dave Challinor from League Two Hartlepool United to be their new manager after the sacking of Simon Rusk.
Challinor – well known to Bolton supporters from his Tranmere days as the owner of football’s longest throw – says the opportunity to return to the club was too good to turn down.
“The excitement surrounding the club and the investment that has been put into it, on and off the pitch, makes County an incredibly attractive proposition for any manager,” he said.
"This can be seen by the influx of new talent the club has recruited over the last month, with the likes of Robert Elstone and Bolton Wanderer’s Antoni Sarcevic joining.
“Now is the time to capitalise on this and take the fans on the journey they deserve, making Stockport County a force to be reckoned with and getting back to the Football League. I look forward to being re-united with County fans on Sunday.”
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