Ian Evatt reflects on Bolton Wanderers start to life back in League One

WANDERERS boss Ian Evatt says his side have nothing to fear following their promising start to life back in League One.

The Whites are seventh in the league table and could climb into the play-off places with a win at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon.

Evatt has been encouraged by his side’s performances so far this term and insists they are aiming to be near the top come May.

“I think we’re 11 games in and it’ll be 12 on Saturday, which is over a quarter of the season gone already,” said the Bolton boss. “We’ve had a conversation this morning and we don’t feel like there’s anything to fear really. 

“We feel comfortable with where we’re at. We feel like we’ve left points out there, but I’m guessing most teams would feel that way.

“But we’re a confident group that has a huge belief in what we do. We still need to improve, there’s no doubt about that, and we can make improvements.

“But for me, what we’ve seen so far should only re-emphasise what our end goal is and our end goal is to be at the top end of this division.”

Wanderers could make it three league wins in a row when they head to Hillsborough at the weekend.

Evatt is expecting a tough test against the Owls but insists his side will take the game on.

He added: “I think it’ll be difficult. I think it’s a really difficult place to go. They’ve got a very, very strong squad.

“A lot of them have played in the Championship last season and most of their careers, if not higher, so it’s going to be a challenge for us.

“But I think you know us well enough now to know that we’re going to go there and attack and try and implement our game plan and our style on them and hopefully that’s enough to get us the three points.”

The Whites are expected to take a strong following to Hillsborough, having sold 3,000 tickets so far.

Evatt admits the impressive support isn’t a surprise anymore and is aiming to give the fans their money’s worth.

He said: “Our fans are fantastic and hopefully now we’ve got two games - one away from home and one at home next week - to really look forward to.

“That’s the key thing for me is that they’re being entertained, our fans. They’re enjoying what they’re seeing, they’re enjoying watching us play and they’re backing us and we can’t ask for anymore.”

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