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Josh Sheehan is showing Wanderers how they can box clever in League One, says Ian Evatt.
The diminutive Welsh maestro has been one of Bolton’s stand-out players so far this season, starting each of the last nine games in all competitions.
Despite being smaller in stature than many of the players he comes up against in the division, Evatt has been impressed by the way he has adapted his game since returning from a long-term injury last season.
He told The Bolton News: “I have used the analogy before that we have to make opponents fight our fight and Josh is very good at doing that – he punches above his weight, he is canny, he has game experience, so he knows how to deal with those players.
"I think the fact he played in League Two helps because he learned how to cope against the more physical players in that league.
“But what he is doing is affecting the opposition with the ball, and that is exactly what we want from him.
“Josh is a fantastic player – but in that midfield we have young George Thomason, Paris Maghoma, Aaron Morley, Kyle Dempsey, they are all very, very good players for this level of football and we are fortunate to have them.”
Sheehan’s future at Bolton was in some question midway through last season when he had struggled to command a regular start as he felt his way back from cruciate ligament surgery the previous year.
But he fought his way back into the team and finished strongly to earn a new two-year contract in the summer.
Evatt believes the 28-year-old is a good example for any player looking to respond to a set-back in their career.
“It is remarkable to see where he is now – but football will bring adversity, you never really know when it is around the corner,” he said.
“It is always how you respond to it which will define who you are, and how your career in the game will go.
“Josh has done that. He had people write him off completely. He had to come back from a serious injury and take time and patience to get to the level we knew he could get to, and, for me, he is an outstanding midfield player who can do it all.”
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