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Ian Evatt intends to be completely up front with his players and where they stand in his plans during the current transfer window.
The Wanderers boss says he will happily speak with any members of his squad about their future after seven summer signings have ramped up competition higher than ever before.
The club proceeded with plans to loan out youngster Max Conway and will do the same with midfielder Nelson Khumbeni in the coming week but other exits are possible before deadline day and Evatt is ready for some straight talking, if it is needed.
“Max has got a great move to Crewe, which I think will be really good for him, Nelson has got a few clubs after him as well so we’ll probably make a decision soon on that one,” he said of potential outgoings.
“The other lads, as I have said before, by the end of this month and this window people are going to know where they stand in the pecking order. With that will come some responsibility and some frustration, and if that frustration means they want to go and ply their trade elsewhere then we can have honest conversations about that.
“I have a really good relationship with all of the players, it’s open, honest and transparent. My door is always open to them if anything is on their mind, football or non-football related, I am there to speak to. I will tell them exactly what I think and where they stand, this will be no different.
“Primarily it is the player’s decision. We can try and lead them one way or another but it has to be the player’s choice.”
Evatt has not ruled out doing more business in the transfer market if the right players become available, or if a sizeable bid comes in for one of his top players.
Several Championship clubs will have eyes on Sunday’s game against Wrexham from the stands but Evatt says reports linking Plymouth Argyle with goalkeeper Nathan Baxter are unlikely to come to anything.
“I just don’t think that’s a goer at all,” he added.
Tonight’s Carabao Cup opponents Mansfield Town reached the fourth round last season and impressed on their return to League One with a 2-1 win at Barnsley.
Evatt has not locked horns with Nigel Clough since the club’s famous 3-2 win in the Field Mill mud back in February 2021, when Artur Gnahoua’s goal marked a stunning comeback and sparked a charge up the table to promotion.
But the Bolton boss revealed he has a special incentive to progress in the cup.
“Nigel is a very experienced manager and has done a great job there, he’s a very experienced football man from a legendary football family. I have a huge amount of respect for him,” he said.
“I have to be cautious with what I say because I live in Chesterfield, and if your football knowledge is how it should be, you’ll understand that those two clubs don’t like each other at all.
“So really I owe it to Chesterfield to try and win.”
Wanderers are planning to make changes but Evatt insists he will not tolerate a drop in performance level from the weekend’s win at Leyton Orient.
“As I reminded the players this morning, playing for this football club comes with huge responsibility,” he added. “We are expected to win in any game we play, regardless of the opposition, so we have to make sure we are ready for it. Mansfield had a great result on Friday, so I think it will be a tough game.”
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