Bolton Wanderers academy coach Julian Darby has revealed he has had a positive response from the first team ahead of their first fixture without Ian Evatt.
After an evening of speculation following the Trotters’ 2-1 defeat against Charlton Athletic, the club confirmed yesterday morning that Evatt had departed the Toughsheet Community Stadium by mutual consent. It was a move which was seen as inevitable after what has been an underwhelming campaign thus far, with Tuesday’s loss their third in five league games.
Despite their poor form, Bolton remain just three points off the play-off places in ninth. This means they have plenty of time to recover and the search for Evatt’s successor is well underway.
The Greater Manchester-based side also announced that the running of first team affairs would be run by academy coaches Darby, Andy Taylor and Andrew Tutte.
Darby Happy With First Training Session
The trio took charge of their first training session earlier today, with Darby revealing that meetings had been held with the staff and the players. Speaking to The Bolton News, he said:
“We have had a good training session, the boys were really good. They have been responsive so far.
“We had a couple of meetings this morning – one with the staff and one with the players – to let them know what was going on and keep them in the loop. At the end of the day, they are really important to what is happening here.”
“I am over on a different side of the training ground normally. I can hear what is going on on the other pitches, and it has always been busy and bright on Thursday and Friday as they prepare for the game on Saturday. It was nothing different today.
“One thing I do emphasise really is train and play with a smile on your face, but you have to give 100 per cent whether it be training or a game.”
Writer’s View
As Evatt’s four-and-a-half-year spell comes to an end, this really does feel like a new era for Bolton. There will be a degree of optimism around the club and supporters will be keen to see a permanent successor named quickly. This weekend’s game against Huddersfield seems like somewhat of a free hit. Nobody expects them to go to the John Smith’s Stadium and win, especially against a team that is unbeaten in 16 league games and without a defeat since October 1st. However, this is a good opportunity for the players to put on an audition for whoever the next boss will be.
