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Josh Sheehan is becoming an important player for Wanderers once again, and Ian Evatt says the midfielder deserves credit for his performances of late.
Sheehan assisted Conor Bradley’s goal against Exeter with a superb through ball during the first half.
He also impressed in the Wembley win against Plymouth last weekend and has thrived in a deeper role in recent weeks.
The 28-year-old had to be patient during the first half of the campaign, having had a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ACL injury.
Evatt reckons Sheehan’s intelligence off the ball is often underestimated and insists he does some important defensive work at times.
“(I am) absolutely delighted,” he told The Bolton News. “He has been thrown in and we are playing him in a deeper role now.
“He is allowing us to build and his bravery in possession is first class. He gets underestimated for his brightness out of possession.
“He might not be a blood and thunder, crunching tackle sort of player like an MJ Williams but he is strategic with the way he moves. He pinches things and is really intelligent to close spaces. I am pleased for him.”
The Bolton boss also praised Bradley, who scored his seventh goal of the season against the Grecians.
Evatt says the Liverpool loanee is “a pleasure to work with” and believes he has what it takes to go far in the game.
“I am delighted for him because his performances deserve that,” he added. “He has had one or two more chances he should have taken along the way but he is a key player for us.
“He is a pleasure to work with, his attitude to being coached is what really defines him and separates him from most. I think he is going to have a really bright career.”
Wanderers showed their inner steel against Exeter despite having their backs against the wall at times in the second half.
The Bolton boss says they are desperate to get back to Wembley in the play-offs after their success in the Papa Johns Trophy.
But Evatt knows there will be plenty of twists and turns before the end of the season and wants his players to remain level headed.
“My players are not soft touches, they are determined to do well,” he said. “That whet their appetite on Sunday to go back for more and we are going to give it our best shot.
“There are going to be swings for and against us between now and the end of the season.
“But for us it is about focusing on our roles and responsibilities. It is in our hands and we just need to concentrate on the next half of football.”
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