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Elias Kachunga is rediscovering his top form at just the right time for Wanderers having put tough years at Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town behind him.
The striker scored a stunning fourth goal in four games to help Ian Evatt’s injury-hit Whites to a 2-2 draw against Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
Kachunga has taken time to catch fire since arriving at the UniBol on a free transfer in August, following a disastrous spell at Hillsborough.
But Evatt reckons Bolton fans are now seeing the best of a player reaching top fitness and showing the sort of class that once made him a regular at the top level.
“Kacha’s proved that he can be utilised in different ways,” Evatt explained. “He can play as the nine, he can play as the 10, he can play one of the wide ones. His understanding and game understanding of the positions is first class.
“That is what you get players that have played in the Premier League, they just pick things up naturally than others.
“I think he just needed someone to support him and believe in him. I think it was very difficult for him at Sheffield Wednesday last year with what was going on at that football club and likewise with Huddersfield once they got relegated, it was a transitional period for them, and things change really quickly.”
Kachunga finished off a fine team goal to make this his most prolific spell since helping Huddersfield into the Premier League in 2016/17.
And Evatt says the German-born front man is exemplifying a new attitude in the camp born out of an unprecedented run of injuries.
“Kacha is enjoying his football again,” said the manager. “He has got a smile on his face.
“The group seems really together, which is really pleasing for me to see that and we’ve got lots of things to look forward to, but for now we have to batten down the hatches, keep our focus, make some sacrifices.
“If they get told off by their partners and wives for not walking around the Trafford Centre then so be it. They need to be at home resting and sleeping. We’re going to need everyone for these next three or four weeks until we get through to January and get some bodies back.”
Evatt is unsurprised by Kachunga’s spike in form. Having missed the whole of pre-season, the 29-year-old has slowly built his match sharpness to become an integral part of the first team.
“We knew he had real talent,” Evatt said. “Real pedigree. And he is still at a good age. By no means an old player and there’s still growth in him, which we are seeing now.
“He has stepped up to the plate when we have needed him the most and that speaks volumes for him.
“There’s a few like that with the young players like George (Thomason), Liam, George Johnston’s only 22. These lads are still improving, they are giving us everything.
“You have Xav Amaechi who is going to create problems and cause problems. There’s lots of things to be positive about but for now we know this is going to be a real tough month and we need to keep our heads down and work really hard.”
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