Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt believes that his side still retain a great chance of automatic promotion, despite losing to close rivals Derby County prior to the international break.
The loss at Pride Park would put a four point gap between Derby in second and Bolton in third and if the Rams were to continue the winning momentum then they could’ve put themselves out of reach. Paul Warne’s side would however lose to Northampton over the weekend, once again blowing the race for second wide open.
That loss plays into the Wanderers’ hands as if able to win their game in hand, they’ll go just one point behind. Points on the board are far more important though and it’s no guarantee that they do win that said game in hand.
Nonetheless, plenty of confidence can be taken from Derby losing, as they now have an improved chance of promotion to the Championship this year. Easter weekend sees the Whites face Stevenage away from home before welcoming Reading to the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Winning both of those games would go a long way and it could be perceived that they are facing both sides at the right time.
Manager Ian Evatt wants to focus on the task at hand, rather than the teams around them. His team cannot afford to get distracted at this point in the season, as if so, then they may throw away any sort of chance they have of automatic promotion.
In an interview with club media, Evatt assessed the club’s promotion chances.
“I did believe immediately post-match from Derby that we were still very much in it and the way things have transpired since it still gives us that belief.”
“Now it’s down to us to focus on ourselves and perform in the right way and that starts with a tough test on Friday. I think it’s still very much in our own hands if we produce the goods because I think this league is so tough.”
“We’ve been in the top three for a number of weeks now. There have been highs and lows and it’s been tough and challenging but if anyone needed a reminder that we’re still very much in it we got that last weekend.”
“So, take care of our own business now and don’t let anyone else, or anything else, worry us. Just focus on getting as many points as possible, playing as well as we possibly can, and if we do that I believe we can get the job done.”
Writer’s View
Bolton got a huge lifeline after Derby slipped up against Northampton last weekend and they now need to make their game in hand count. Although the Rams gained the bragging rights in their fixture against Bolton, the latter may have more confidence now.
It’s a pivotal weekend in the season with two games in quick succession and it is paramount that Ian Evatt gets a result against Stevenage on Friday if they want to carry momentum into Monday.
It’s an uphill task, but Bolton still retain every possibility of automatic promotion to the Championship.
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