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Wanderers have been warned to be on their best behaviour as they play their first-ever game with VAR in the FA Cup today.
Ian Evatt enlisted the held of Premier League official Darren Bond this week to instruct his players on the potential pitfalls they could encounter at Luton Town.
VAR is currently only in operation at Premier League stadia, and the Bolton boss hoped that going over some situations that could be unfamiliar could help his players cut out ‘rookie mistakes’.
“It is obviously completely new to us so we had a Premier League referee come into the training ground and present to us what we should look for, what we should and shouldn’t do,” he told The Bolton News.
“It changes things for us in many aspects and we have to realise that the cameras are there for all to see. We need to be a lot smarter in everything we do, and it is something that Luton will be used to playing in the Premier League.
“Ironically, if we draw the game, there is no VAR back at our ground, which is another story entirely. But let’s not talk about a replay, the fixture schedule is too condensed as it is!”
Wanderers have curbed their foul count in recent weeks, having been the most penalised team in League One just before Christmas.
Though his players have now been warned what to expect, Evatt does not want them to curb their natural game.
“There is a fine line between understanding what we are used to and also overthinking it,” he said. “We have to be physical and stand up to what they are going to throw at us, and that means contact, it is a contact sport, but we have to be smarter if we are blocking, not pulling shirts to the extent that video refs can see it. There can’t be rookie errors.
“It is something different but, honestly, I think it should be part of the whole English pyramid if it is good enough for the Premier League, so it gives us good practice for the future.”
Evatt will be up against his former Blackpool team-mate Rob Edwards, who masterminded Luton’s play-off victory against Coventry City in the summer and took them back into the top division for the first time in more than 30 years.
“We played in a team of rank outsiders who got to the Premier League and there was no-one more delighted than me when Rob did it last summer,” he said. “I have known him a long time and he is a wonderful guy. We started in coaching at roughly the same time and he has had a slightly different pathway to me but I am so happy for him and what he is doing at the moment.
“I am genuinely excited to go to Luton, that old fashioned, a real intimidating atmosphere. It brings the best out of Rob’s players, and I think our players should revel and thrive on it as well.
“There is no real pressure for us, only that which comes from within and wanting to give a good performance. If we do that then I am comfortable with whatever the outcome will be.
“I want to win but we know it is a huge ask and task. They have an excellent squad and because of Rob I get to see a lot of them, and they will be athletic, aggressive, high-press, everything we don’t like, basically. But what a great opportunity to show how brave we can be?”
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