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Wanderers boss Ian Evatt is looking forward to “a big game” against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.
The Whites have made a positive start to the new campaign and will be hoping to build on Tuesday night’s 1-0 win against Morecambe.
Evatt is prepared for a tough test against the Yorkshire outfit and reckons they recruited well over the summer.
“A big game. Sheffield Wednesday, a big club in their own right, but we are too. I think it will be a very good game, two good teams,” said the Bolton chief.
“Sheffield Wednesday recruited heavily in the summer. They’re a strong powerful team so it’s going to be a big ask for us, but one we’re looking forward to.
“I think they have recruited really well. They have signed some big, powerful boys who had success in this division last season – [Michael] Smith, [Michael] Ihiekwe.
“They added players in the middle of the pitch – [Will] Vaulks, [Tyreeq] Bakinson. Big, strong, powerful players. Darren is a great guy and one of the good guys in football, I think a lot of him.
“It is going to be a really tough game but we have to be the best version of ourselves and play to our standard and our level. If we do that, we give ourselves a chance.”
Evatt made five changes against Morecambe and has another tough team selection to make against the Owls.
The Bolton boss admits it can be tough to leave players out of the side but will continue to make the calls he feels will give his side the best chance of winning heading into each game.
He added: “It’s not nice for me because I don’t like upsetting them. I think the world of them all, I think they’re all wonderful young men and they give me everything every single day.
“That’s never nice but I have to do what I have to do and what I deem best for Bolton Wanderers. For them, it’s probably frustrating but I think it’s a lot easier when the team are winning and playing well.
“I think it makes all sides in better moods and more happy and they buy into it a lot more if we’re having success. Fingers crossed that continues, but for now it’s just the way it has to be.
“I do feel like it is having an impact on our performances, I do feel like we’re having better energetic performances due to the fact that we’re able to change so many and so often.”
Another bumper crowd is expected at the weekend, and Evatt hopes the Bolton faithful can continue to give his side a boost.
“That would be nice for us on Saturday,” he said. “Can we get past that 22,000 to really have this place rocking and make it really difficult for them.”
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