Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has admitted he may have made too many changes following the club’s play-off final defeat at Wembley, acknowledging he overcompensated by altering the team’s system and making several new signings over the summer.
Evatt, who saw his side record their second win of the season, has admitted he is still learning as a coach after two failed play-off pushes. A third was expected this season, but they haven’t got off to the sort of start fans expected.
Reflecting on the off-season changes, Evatt told the Bolton News, “I think over the summer we focused too much on what went wrong in one game at Wembley… But there wasn’t a great deal wrong with Plan A.” He expressed regret over deviating from their original system, noting that injuries had hindered their promotion hopes more than the tactics themselves. Evatt also emphasized the impact of the play-off defeat, saying, “We were still one game away and we didn’t perform at Wembley.”
Bolton’s heartbreaking 2-0 defeat to Oxford United in the League One play-off final was the catalyst for Evatt’s tactical shift. Josh Murphy’s two goals sunk Bolton’s hopes of returning to the Championship, and the tactical adjustments made in response led to a shaky start to the current season. However, a return to their trusted 3-5-2 formation in a 5-2 victory over Reading seems to have restored confidence, with Evatt admitting, “The players love this system… you could see they were happier with some home comforts knowing jobs and what they had to do.”
Despite the convincing win, Evatt highlighted that there is still room for improvement, particularly in defence, where Reading threatened in the second half. “That’s my job to pick holes in it,” Evatt explained. While satisfied with the attacking prowess shown, he pointed out the need for better defensive organization moving forward.
Evatt remains optimistic that the new recruits will adapt to the formational shift, citing their versatility: “Everyone we signed was with an eye to still playing a 3-5-2 when we needed to so it shouldn’t really affect too many of them.” He praised the attitude and performances of both starters and substitutes, believing that Bolton’s approach is once again on the right track.
The Trotters have had a tough start to the current season, languishing 18th in the early league table. Of their three defeats, the most painful was their 4-0 mauling against Huddersfield last weekend, a game they swiftly bounced back from, putting five past crisis-club Reading in their last outing.
Writer’s View
Ian Evatt’s admission of overcompensating after the play-off loss highlights the pressure managers face after key defeats. His efforts to adapt tactically were born out of a desire to fix what went wrong at Wembley, but perhaps the changes were too hasty. His reflections suggest a manager still learning and evolving, willing to critique himself to get Bolton back on track. Returning to a more familiar system has already paid dividends, but Evatt will need to ensure he strikes a balance between tactical flexibility and stability.
Looking ahead, Bolton’s strong performance against Reading indicates that the team is regaining confidence. Evatt’s decision to revert to their favoured formation and his players’ response shows the potential for Bolton to push for promotion once again. If they can address defensive frailties and keep key players fit, the club could build on this momentum for a successful campaign.
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