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Ian Evatt believes his squad is finally at a stage where it can handle everything League One can throw at it.
Stymied by the more direct and physical footballing teams for the first half of the season, Wanderers have produced some results in the last few months against the likes of Gillingham, Doncaster Rovers and Accrington Stanley.
Beaten just three times in their last 20 games, Bolton’s form since mid-January has been that of an automatic promotion-winning side.
Evatt puts that down to the fact his side can now mix and match styles, having added some physicality and experience in the previous transfer window.
The Wanderers boss has plans to add a few more signings this summer to launch a push for promotion next term but he has been delighted with the way his team turned their season around from the start of the year, when some predicted they could have a relegation battle on their hands.
“We just didn’t have those different options to maybe bring some physicality off the bench and play over the press, rather than trying to play through it,” he said.
“I want us to get into a position where we can do both naturally.
“We can play through if you allow us to play through, but if you go full press us then we’ll play over and we will have players who can handle that and win their individual battles.”
Wanderers moved into 10th with their win against Accrington and now face their last away trip at Cheltenham Town, the team which won last season’s League Two title.
Michael Duff’s team has managed to survive comfortably after promotion and look a good bet to finish in their highest-ever league position, which is currently the 17th place achieved by John Ward’s Robins in 2006/7.
Bolton can finish ninth and will hope to edge ahead of Portsmouth this weekend knowing Pompey have to play Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday in their final two games.
Dapo Afolayan returned to the scoresheet on Monday to extend his lead at the top of Wanderers’ scoring charts – the winger now boasting an impressive 14 goals this season.
Championship clubs including Fulham and Cardiff are both eyeing the former West Ham man, who Evatt feels is finishing the campaign in good form.
“I thought Dapo had trained well,” the manager said. “He wanted to make an impact and he has done that.
“Again we must remember this is Dapo’s first full season in men’s professional football and he has had ups and downs but he has had a brilliant season for us.”
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