Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has stated that he would take Bolton Wanderers crashing out of the playoffs personally, in comments given to The Bolton News.
Ian Evatt’s men have enjoyed a successful League One campaign to date, Bolton currently occupying 5th in the division. Bolton’s current standing would see them enter the League One playoffs, but a defeat in their last match has upped the anxiety levels.
Accrington Stanley made the short journey over to the University of Bolton Stadium mid-week, Ethan Hamilton scoring the only goal of the night to give John Coleman’s men an invaluable win in their efforts to stave off relegation down to League Two.
This loss was arguably coming from a Bolton perspective, with recent encounters in the third tier often resulting in Ian Evatt’s men playing tentatively.
How Have Bolton Performed Recently?
Despite a positive season on the whole, Bolton have underwhelmed in recent weeks to make their position in the playoffs somewhat precarious.
Their last three wins in League One have been by the solitary goal, a screamer courtesy of Josh Sheehan enough to break the deadlock against Shrewsbury to win 1-0 recently.
Dropping points at home to the likes of the aforementioned Accrington and Cambridge United – Sam Smith netting late on for the amber and black away side to draw 1-1 – could give Fleetwood Town cause for optimism when they face off against Ian Evatt’s men away from home on Saturday.
Still, you’d expect a response from the Bolton players after the demoralising Accrington loss.
Who Else Are In The Playoff Race?
Derby County and Peterborough United are also fighting it out to be in the playoff picture, hoping that Bolton slip up again against the Cod Army this Saturday.
Both sides also play at home this weekend, with the Rams facing off against John Mousinho’s Portsmouth and Darren Ferguson’s Posh playing Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers team.
If results were to go Bolton’s way – with both Derby and Peterborough losing whilst Ian Evatt’s Wanderers took the initiative and won – a playoff spot could well be clinched.
What Has Ian Evatt Said?
Ian Evatt spoke to The Bolton News ahead of a potentially playoff-deciding match against Fleetwood Town, admitting he would be disappointed if his side fell at the final hurdle.
He said: “We have been in the top six since September, more or less, and it would be a real kick in the balls if we weren’t in the play-offs but it wouldn’t mean it was the end of the world.
“We want to get there and will fight tooth and nail. Nobody will be more disappointed than me if we don’t make it, I will take it personally. But my point is that we have still progressed.
“I am confident we will make it. And once you are there recent form goes out of the window, you have a 25 per cent chance of getting promoted like the rest.”
Writer’s View
Ian Evatt’s comments reflect a manager who is passionate and wants his team to get into the playoffs with every fibre of his being.
Bolton fans would be as equally as disappointed as their manager if they were to drop out of the playoffs at the very last second, but they have made immense progress as a club to get to this position. Only a few years ago, the club’s extinction was a real possibility.
If Ian Evatt’s men beat Fleetwood on Saturday, they should have enough – you imagine – to make the playoffs. At this stage of the season, however, surprise results become even more common.
