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Ian Evatt believes his ‘multi-functional’ Wanderers squad can handle the burden of a promotion challenge in League One.
Bolton registered 18 senior players with the EFL last week having added eight new signings in the summer transfer window.
Some concerns have been voiced about the depth of Evatt’s squad, which even including Under-21 contracted players is slightly smaller than it was after the January window.
But the Whites boss reckons he now has more flexible options in most positions and that a leaner, more manageable squad should lead to better competition.
“I think we are pretty well covered and if you look across the squad we have got pretty much two players for each position, or who can play in two different positions,” he told The Bolton News.
“Even though you can look at the squad and say it is slightly light on numbers, I think it is strong and competitive because we have that flexibility.
“I also think we have to remember that you need to keep the lads engaged and on board, and the bigger the squad the more disappointment there is. The more disappointment the more it can damage your culture and environment, and that is something we need to be really careful about as a coaching staff.”
Right wing-back had been a position where many felt Wanderers would look to strengthen in the final weeks of the window, with Josh Dacres-Cogley the only senior specialist.
Evatt argues that B Team signing Luke Matheson – who made his debut in the EFL Trophy against Salford before the international break – and Gethin Jones are both options if the former Birmingham City defender were to pick up an injury.
“I think Luke is an option for the first team – but we have also got Gethin, who can play there, and we have had some very good results when he has gone to wing-back,” he said.
“Last season when Conor was suspended – and that happened a bit too much because he got quite a few yellow cards – Gethin was excellent. Peterborough and MK Dons were good examples because we won both games 5-0.
“Randell can also play on the right, he used to play both positions for Exeter City, so what we have tried to do is create a more multi-functional squad.
“We have also worked hard on making players fit and robust, so touch wood we can see the benefits of that as the season goes on.”
Meanwhile, Zac Ashworth could be in action tonight for Wales Under-21s tonight as they face Lithuania in a UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifier.
Ashworth did not feature in Friday’s warm-up friendly against Leichtenstein in Newport, won by the young Dragons 4-0, but did feature on the left side of midfield in the opening group game, a 2-2 draw against Denmark, playing on the left side of midfield.
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