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Ian Evatt says Wanderers have improved over the summer - but admits the standard of League One keeps getting higher.
The Whites recorded wins against Watford, Longridge and Chorley over the summer, as well as a last-gasp draw against Huddersfield at the weekend thanks to Kieran Sadlier’s strike.
The Bolton boss is pleased with the hard work his side have put in since returning to training and is raring to go ahead of the new season.
“I think we’ve improved again. I think every game in pre-season has been a positive and that includes the Carlisle one, which was a disappointing performance,” he said.
“But it was a positive in terms of we learned a lot from that game and probably learned the most from that game in terms of what is expected and what is acceptable.
“We’ve responded really well with a good performance against Huddersfield, having watched that game back I thought we were excellent, especially in the second half.
“If we can replicate that kind of performance throughout the season, we’re going to have a good season but this league in my opinion has become tougher.
“It has become tougher because I think the quality and the spending of the opposition has improved but also our expectancy has gone up as well and we’re expected to achieve more this season.
“It is going to be tough but one we are looking forward to and embracing.”
Wanderers finished ninth in their first season back in the third tier and were one of the form teams in the division since the turn of the year.
Evatt is pleased with the progress his side has made during his tenure so far and says it is natural for expectations to grow.
He added: “People are saying this is pressure, but I don’t think it is. I think we’ve earned the right to have this pressure.
“Having it means I’ve done a pretty good job, so hopefully that continues and the players are well prepared.
“I think we’ve all improved, myself included, in my time here and hopefully we can go ahead and show that this season.”
When asked how his side can temper expectations ahead of the upcoming campaign, Evatt explained: “You can’t.
“We have earned the right for those expectations because we’ve fundamentally performed well for two seasons - we’ve had a promotion and a good campaign last season.
“We are Bolton Wanderers in League One. We’re expected to do well, it’s as simple as that. But you haven’t got a given right to do it just because of the size of the club or the history.
“With regards to others, just because they’ve spent the most money it does not mean they are going to get promoted either.
“You have to go out there and earn it and we’re going to have to go out there and make sure that we earn it this season.
“We know we need to improve, we know where we need to improve and hopefully we can do that.”
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