Ian Evatt explained there was no injury which kept Declan John out of the Bolton Wanderers squad in the draw against Barnsley but rather the limited scenarios he felt the defender could feature in the clash was behind the decision.
27.09.2022 - 15:19 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Bolton Wanderers sit in the top six so far this season after playing the opening phase of the League One campaign.
Wanderers sit sixth in the table, even though they were not in action last weekend in light of the international break and call-ups within the squad meaning the game against Portsmouth at Fratton Park was postponed. A new date is yet to be arranged.
The break comes to an end this weekend when Wanderers take on Lincoln City at the University of Bolton Stadium. Ian Evatt's side will be aiming for their fourth win on the bounce in League One following successes over Charlton Athletic, MK Dons and Peterborough United.
READ MORE:Bolton Wanderers' squad value compared to Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth & Ipswich
Wanderers strengthened well in Janaury with the permanent acquisitions of Dion Charles, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Aaron Morley, Kieran Sadlier and Kyle Dempsey. Marlon Fossey and James Trafford also arrived on loan.
The run of form saw Wanderers lose just three games in League One from mid-January until the end of the season at the conclusion of April. Ian Evatt's side ended the season in ninth.
They have continued this positive momentum into the new campaign with fresh arrivals over the summer. Wanderers have lost just twice so far in League One this season and are five points from the top of the division with a game in hand on current league leaders Plymouth Argyle.
Bolton's form on the pitch this season is highlighted with their points tally so far this calendar year. Figures collated by The Near Post illustrate this.
Wanderers have picked up 64 points in League One this year, second only to Sheffield Wednesday in 2022. MK Dons are third with 61, with Ipswich Town and Plymouth joint-fourth with 59.
Ian Evatt explained there was no injury which kept Declan John out of the Bolton Wanderers squad in the draw against Barnsley but rather the limited scenarios he felt the defender could feature in the clash was behind the decision.
James Trafford - 7
Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has made three changes to his side to take on Barnsley this afternoon from the defeat to Forest Green Rovers.
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Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has backed his strikers to get in the goalscoring groove once again and voiced his backing of them during the transfer window when he opted against bringing in further reinforcements in that department.
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Bolton Wanderers are hopeful of having Conor Bradley available before the weekend's clash against Lincoln City owing to sickness picked up while on Northern Ireland duty.
Lincoln City have been boosted by the return to fitness of attacker Danny Mandroiu ahead of the trip to Bolton Wanderers while midfielder Jay Benn is a doubt due to a knee problem.
Josh Sheehan believes the Bolton Wanderers squad is a very different one to the side he played in last season but feels it is now one of the strongest collection of players in League One as he aims to make an impact upon it after putting injury problems behind him.
Bolton Wanderers return to action from the international break this weekend when they take on Lincoln City.
Bolton Wanderers return to League One action this weekend when they host Lincoln City.
Gareth Ainsworth believes Bolton Wanderers will be among a clutch of clubs challenging the likes of Sheffield Wednesday who beat his Wycombe side for promotion out of League One this season.
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Ian Evatt believes Bolton Wanderers have improved from last season but admits there is a tinge of frustration over not having the points on the board he feels they should.
Gethin Jones believe Bolton Wanderers must now push on in League One after finding themselves in the top six following a tough start to the campaign.
Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough believes Eoin Toal will do well at Bolton Wanderers and has watched the former under-21 international train at his new club as he assesses the defender's potential path to the senior international scene.
Ian Evatt felt Owen Beck did 'okay' on his debut for Bolton Wanderers as he outlined why he took the young defender off midway through the clash against Tranmere Rovers.