Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has called for both the club’s as well as fans’ support as his side continue to navigate a tricky spell.
With an ever-growing injury list, Evatt is working with a reduced squad at the minute and although things may have not gone their way recently, they are still in the hunt for an automatic promotion spot.
Despite having just one win to their name in the last five games, Bolton still operate in third place in the League One table, just six points off of leaders Portsmouth and only one behind Derby County in second. They’ve had their fair share of opportunities to close in on the top spot but it has been a hard couple of weeks for Evatt’s side.
Nonetheless they’re still well in the automatic promotion picture and after back-to-back draws with Barnsley and Exeter City, they’ll be looking to put three points on the board against Oxford United on Tuesday night.
The task at hand has however been made far harder with news coming out via Bolton’s official website that striker Victor Adeboyejo will be out for 4-6 weeks. Having scored ten goals so far this season, the Nigerian’s absence will be a huge loss which will no doubt hurt the club. They’re already rather thin in that position with talisman Dion Charles also on the sidelines.
Speaking in an interview on the club’s website, Evatt gave an injury update for both Adeboyejo and Charles.
“We’ll see what the scan says (for Adeboyejo) and we’re hopeful for good news, but anything better than that is an absolute bonus. We’ll know more about Dion today. He’s going to see a specialist to see where he’s at and we’re hopeful post the international break he’ll be back with us.
“That’s a lot of goals taken out the team. It’s the harsh realities of football and sometimes these things can come and challenge you.”
“This week’s a big week and if we can get through this week still in touch, or in there (the top two), I’m very confident the remainder of this season will look a lot better for us and we can finish this season incredibly strongly.”
Evatt also wanted to send a message to the fans to continue their support for the team despite the performances recently.
“We’re down to our bare bones but that doesn’t necessarily mean this is a weak team. This is a strong team that needs everybody’s support. Togetherness is key. I’ve said that all along.
“In testing times it’s the togetherness that will pull us through. It’s a testing time at the moment but we’re still very much in there and we need the supporters to get behind us and will us over the line for an all-important three points. If we can get that the world will feel a much better place.
Writer’s View
Bolton find themselves in a very tricky position due to their injury list. It has no doubt had a rather significant impact on them in the last month or so and could continue to hurt them. It’s a huge game in front of the TV cameras against Oxford United on Tuesday night and if unable to get all three points, fans may well turn on Evatt.
There’s not too much that the manager can do at the moment due to the bare bones of the squad and as emphasised in his interview, it’s all about staying in touch this week. When the players do return, on paper Bolton have one of the strongest teams in the league and could really push both Portsmouth and Derby all the way if able to get through the next week or so. They’ll especially fancy their chances if they are able to beat the latter in a top of the table clash on Saturday.
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