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Ex-England international Carlton Palmer believes backing Ian Evatt is "the right call" as Wanderers prepare for another season in League One.
Palmer, who had spells with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds during his playing days, doesn't think the Whites need to make “wholesale changes” despite their Wembley heartbreak against Oxford in the play-off final.
He told Football League World: "I know Bolton fans were bitterly disappointed last season not to get promoted, but you look at the two teams that got promoted - Portsmouth and Derby - and the investment they have made into their football clubs.
"They finished third on 87 points, three points off 90, that in any other season would get you promoted.
“I don't think you make wholesale changes, the next year is going to be just as tough as teams come down.
"I know some of the supporters are bitterly disappointed but, again, be careful what you wish for. All I've got to do is go back to West Ham with David Moyes, they got rid of Moyes and look what happened.
"He came back to the football club, finished year-on-year in the top six, won them a trophy, now they've got rid of him again. Be careful what you wish for.”
Next season looks set to be a tough one in League One, with Birmingham, Huddersfield and Rotherham coming down from the Championship. ‘Hollywood’ Wrexham are also preparing for life in the third tier following back-to-back promotions under Phil Parkinson.
However, Palmer reckons Wanderers have brought in “quality players” and sees no reason why they cannot be pushing to finish near the top of the table again next term.
He continued: "I think Ian's done a fantastic job. They’ll be there or thereabouts, they're not going to be guaranteed automatic promotion and changing the manager doesn't do that.
"Investment was made in the football club and they did bring in quality players, there is no doubt about that.
“But it always going to be a difficult season with the likes of Portsmouth, Derby and teams like that in that division.
"I think it's the right call. Some of the supporters will not be OK with that, and it's fair to say that he's going to have to hit the ground running to get those supporters back on his side.
"And if they can get off to a good start, and they're winning football matches, for me, as long as he's in and around the play-offs from the start of the season, then there should be no issues whatsoever."
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Ex-England international Carlton Palmer believes backing Ian Evatt is "the right call" as Wanderers prepare for another season in League One.
Palmer, who had spells with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds during his playing days, doesn't think the Whites need to make “wholesale changes” despite their Wembley heartbreak against Oxford in the play-off final.
He told Football League World: "I know Bolton fans were bitterly disappointed last season not to get promoted, but you look at the two teams that got promoted - Portsmouth and Derby - and the investment they have made into their football clubs.
"They finished third on 87 points, three points off 90, that in any other season would get you promoted.
“I don't think you make wholesale changes, the next year is going to be just as tough as teams come down.
"I know some of the supporters are bitterly disappointed but, again, be careful what you wish for. All I've got to do is go back to West Ham with David Moyes, they got rid of Moyes and look what happened.
"He came back to the football club, finished year-on-year in the top six, won them a trophy, now they've got rid of him again. Be careful what you wish for.”
Next season looks set to be a tough one in League One, with Birmingham, Huddersfield and Rotherham coming down from the Championship. ‘Hollywood’ Wrexham are also preparing for life in the third tier following back-to-back promotions under Phil Parkinson.
However, Palmer reckons Wanderers have brought in “quality players” and sees no reason why they cannot be pushing to finish near the top of the table again next term.
He continued: "I think Ian's done a fantastic job. They’ll be there or thereabouts, they're not going to be guaranteed automatic promotion and changing the manager doesn't do that.
"Investment was made in the football club and they did bring in quality players, there is no doubt about that.
“But it always going to be a difficult season with the likes of Portsmouth, Derby and teams like that in that division.
"I think it's the right call. Some of the supporters will not be OK with that, and it's fair to say that he's going to have to hit the ground running to get those supporters back on his side.
"And if they can get off to a good start, and they're winning football matches, for me, as long as he's in and around the play-offs from the start of the season, then there should be no issues whatsoever."
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