Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has praised defender Ricardo Santos following his standout performance in the club’s recent 1-0 victory over Peterborough United.
This narrow win, secured by a late goal from Klaidi Lolos, moved Bolton into ninth place in League One and rekindled hopes of a playoff push. For Santos, it marked a significant comeback after a challenging season, marred by online criticism after the play-off final in May and a subsequent decision by Evatt to hand the captaincy to George Thomason, aiming to ease pressure on the centre-half.
Santos Shines Against Former Club
Facing his former team, Santos delivered a commanding display that reminded fans of his value to the squad. The 29-year-old’s performance received glowing praise from Evatt, who saw the match as a sign that Santos is regaining top form.
“He was unbelievable,” Evatt shared with The Bolton News. “For any Bolton Wanderers fan who sometimes doubts Rico’s ability, watch that performance and understand why he is so valuable to us. He is incredible, and while we want that consistency every week, he wouldn’t be playing in League One if he could do that every game.”
The game against Peterborough was crucial not only for Santos but for Wanderers as a whole. Lolos’s 98th-minute strike, his first for the club, sealed a hard-fought victory and provided a much-needed boost to Bolton’s campaign, which has seen mixed results in recent weeks. Evatt’s squad, now with six wins in their last eight games, is showing flashes of potential, although the manager remains focused on raising performance levels to secure consistent results.
Raising Standards for a Playoff Push
Despite the recent successes, Evatt is pushing his players to maintain consistency, having met with them following a disappointing loss to Birmingham.
Evatt acknowledged that while the current form is positive, elevating game standards remains crucial for sustaining a playoff push.
“Winning consistently is great,” he explained, “but performing consistently is better. You can only win so many games without playing well; eventually, it catches up to you.”
Writer’s View
Bolton’s recent performances suggest the team has the resilience needed for a successful season. Evatt’s call for consistency reflects a clear vision for a team seeking to break out of League One. With Santos regaining form, Bolton’s backline could become the foundation for a stronger playoff campaign, but the upcoming matches will test whether this revival is built to last.
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