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Ian Evatt has fixed his sights on the next international break and making sure the League One table makes better reading for Wanderers.
Bolton go into today’s game at Crawley 19th in the table and nine points off the top two, still some way short of expectations despite their return to winning ways against Reading last weekend.
That comprehensive result has given the Whites boss “calmer waters” to work in this week, and he is looking ahead to the next three games as an opportunity to start reeling in some of the teams at the top.
Though Wanderers suffered a heavy defeat at Premier League giants Arsenal on Wednesday night, Evatt remains content that confidence has not been damaged, and that his team can regain control of their season in the coming weeks.
“My focus is on going through these games and getting to where we want to be, the league is tight and you can move up quickly if you can put a run together,” he told The Bolton News.
“When you win a game like we did against Reading it doesn’t mean ‘we’re back’ and playing the best football we have ever played. And it didn’t mean when we lost games that we were the best team in the world.
“We have to find a way of staying grounded and consistent, understanding what it takes to get results in this league, and it is challenging to do that.
“The players feel focussed, regardless of Wednesday I feel like they are gaining some confidence, there were parts of that game where it showed when we do things right we can cause teams problems.
“Saturday will look a lot different (to Arsenal) but we have to attack it and give it everything we have got.”
Wanderers return today to the scene of their 2020/21 promotion, achieved with a 4-1 win on the final day which secured third spot, capping off a remarkable mid-season turnaround in form.
Evatt has experienced peaks and troughs in the years since but he looks back with fondness at the first real positive step in his time as Bolton boss and hopes the Broadfield Stadium will again treat him well.
He said: “Obviously that was a great experience, getting over the line in strange circumstances with no fans being in the stadium. Good memories for one or two of the squad still involved, so fingers crossed we can perform the same on the day and it can be the same outcome.
“I think we have been extremely fortunate as a football club since then. Everyone can look at the things we haven’t done but sometimes it is important to mention some of the things we have done.
“The game on Wednesday night wasn’t a great result but it was a great experience for everyone. We have been to Wembley in back-to-back years, how many clubs haven’t had that opportunity?
“We have had a promotion. There have been things to like, and in football it’s always a wild ride. Things change quickly and we have a chance to change things to a positive light in the next few games.
“If we can go on a run, then in 10 days things will feel very different.”
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