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Cameron Jerome’s late-season scoring form has come as a pleasant surprise for Wanderers, says Ian Evatt.
The veteran striker has found the back of the net in each of his last three games for Bolton, having scored just once in the previous 37 games this season.
Jerome has spent almost all his season providing back-up from the bench but has also been credited with playing a big part behind the scenes, working with younger players in the squad.
Evatt is happy to see him getting some reward as Wanderers move towards the play-offs.
“It is a great help for us that he is coming off the bench and scoring goals,” he said.
“He has been a big part of what we have done this season and as I have said at times I don’t think he has had the respect he deserves.
“He is a big part of what we do and it is great that the goals have started to come.”
Wanderers once again face Barnsley over two legs for a place at Wembley, having missed out on second spot on the final day of the season.
Derby went ahead early on at Carlisle, meaning there was very little scope for drama in Bolton’s game at Peterborough. An entertaining 3-3 draw played out nonetheless, albeit one that was heavily affected by what was going on elsewhere.
“First half I was impressed with the way we went about our work. We really went after them,” Evatt said.
“We tried to apply scoreboard pressure but credit to Derby they stood up to it and got the result they needed. Congratulations to them.
“For us now there is no time for disappointment. It is time to refocus and get ready for Friday.”
Wanderers will have the advantage of a home game in the semi-final second leg, to be played on Tuesday, May 7, and Evatt is expecting Barnsley to once again prove difficult opposition.
He said: “It is different to last year, of course, and having drawn that first game it made the second one really difficult. But it is was a tight game overall and it was a set play which decided it.
“This season there have been two tight games too. We have to be at our best and get the players ready and focussed for what will be a challenging game.”
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