Despite an inconsistent start to the 2023/24 League One campaign, Bolton Wanderers still sit within the play-off places. Promotion is the main objective, but can they go one better?
The Trotters have experienced a whirlwind of emotions over the past few seasons. Financial difficulty, consecutive relegations, new owners, stabilising in League Two and promotion success have all led to this moment. Establishing themselves as a well-ran, successful football club once again, this is a club which can dream once more.
The Core
One of Wanderers’ biggest strengths coming into this campaign was keeping the core of players which almost achieved success last season. Falling short at the hands of Barnsley in the play-off semi-final, the players should feel hungry to push themselves so that they don’t have to repeat the disappointment of May.
They’ve managed to retain the services of star-studded centre half Ricardo Santos, who was named in the EFL and PFA League One Team of the Year for the second consecutive year, adding to the identical accolades of their promotion-winning League Two campaign of 2020/21.
Moving into midfield, the Whites have kept hold of Josh Sheehan. The Welsh international is crucial to how the Lancashire play, keeping things simple and the ball ticking. Not only that, turning down a bid in the region of £1 million from Bristol City for George Thomason shows they’re keen to use the quality in their side to help with the promotion push.
Most importantly, Bolton have kept their star-striker Dion Charles, somebody who is destined to play at the level above. The Northern Ireland internnational has already made a promising start to this campaign and looks to have continued his stellar form from the season prior.
The Manager
Ian Evatt has established himself as a top manager in the lower leagues of the English football pyramid. Originally guiding Barrow to the football league, he has become somewhat of a hero at Bolton.
🎙️ "We believe in ourselves and we have to go out there and prove it consistently."
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) October 19, 2023
We caught up with Ian Evatt ahead of our return to action this weekend. Click below for his full interview over on Wanderers TV 👇#bwfc
In his first season at the Toughsheet Community Stadium (then the University of Bolton Stadium), the 41-year-old led his team to promotion at the first time of asking, an incredible achievement for somebody so inexperienced at this level.
Over the years, Evatt has helped to consolidate the club and with the right resources and players, he is certainly good enough to get the EFL Trophy holders out of League One, possibly as champions.
The League
Compared to years gone by, it is fair to say that League One is much weaker. With the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town and Sunderland going up in recent years, it has paved the way for teams of a smaller stature and budget to have a crack at the league.
This is a significant advantage for Bolton. Although you have to respect the opponent, in terms of quality within the side and the sheer size of the club, this is by far the Mancunian club’s best chance to grab some silverware and get back up the Football League.
