BOLTON v Barnsley…match thread

Didnt realise so many clubs were looking for managers. Bournemouth, Wolves, WBA, Hull, Boro and Cardiff.

Ians name not in any of those list on SkyBet which is odd when you see some of the names that are. Like Dean Holden on a few. Mike Newell is always there(at long odds, is that an injoke that I dont get) and Liam Roseinior(if Derby passed up on him why would he get the league up)

Wigans Leam Richardson linked with the West Brom job and still no mention of Evatt!!!
Probably because….. he’s just not that good and has found his ‘safe’ level

I think you’re being a bit harsh there OM. Look at our situation when IE took over and where we are now only a couple of years later and what he’s done he’s done with very little money and for a while at the beginning, transfer restrictions too. I can’t say that he’s my favourite person, despite not knowing him he doesn’t seem like someone I’d trust or would even like a drink with but leaving 5he personalities aside, I think he’s done a really good job. I can see what he’s trying to achieve but it’s difficult to be consistent if you don’t have quality players to rely on and I’m afraid we just don’t. I am though willing to give him the time to gradually improve the squad until it’s where he wants it. We all have our preferences on style and I actually much prefer the more “footballing” style of an IE to a Mr Neanderthal lump it up, so I’m prepared to stick with him and see where it gets us. Of course I’d like to see more of our skillfull players like Dapo, Sheehan and Sadlier involved but I’m afraid until they can fit into Evatt’s system better we may not. It’s always easy to call for change but rarely does it really improve things unless they’re in a really bad state and thanks to Ian we’re not so I’m going for a win tomorrow 2-1 to the Wanderers 😉

Dont want to go back to Parky Whites, actually thought there was a lot of promise in the Keith Hill days. We were playing some good stuff but our players were rusty and broke down and then in Jan FV abandoned ship and pulled the plug.

He talked himself out of this job but his record after us shows he probably wasnt the right man.

I’m not so sure Parky would get it right OM, he didn’t for us. How many times when we played weak opposition did he stick with the failing one up top and we ended up without a win? It’s easy to criticise and claim others would have been better. Rioch, I can understand your point about our inept shooting record but to be fair, you can’t blame Evatt for the 3 sitters we missed in the second half at FGR, it more fits in with my point that he doesn’t have the players. Surely nobody can deny Evatt’s got us where we are and I’m not even trying to claim everything in the Evatt gardens rosy. As an armchair manager Dapo would be the first name on my team sheet out on the wide left and I’d probably switch to 442 which I believe would suit better the players we do have. I’d be working on set pieces to take advantage of the height and strength in our team and encourage the shooters like Dapo, Sheehan and Sadlier, even Bod who can pot one when he gets the chance. But that’s just my opinion and we all have one of those. Whilst I’m not delighted with things I am more that satisfied and given our start, if you’d offered me where we are at the seasons start I’d have taken it. I’m confident that the strikers will find form soon and it’s amazing in football how confidence can surge back so let’s hope tomorrow is the day and I think it will be and I’ll stick with my 2-1 to the Wanderers prediction. Come 5pm though I might be feeling differently?? 🥴

A hard but vitally important game for us tomorrow.

Vital because the 2 recent defeats have been a kick in the teeth for us. Instead of the expected place probably in the top 4, we have slipped to 7th.



Despite 2 rank bad results, I still cannot accept the attacks on the manager appearing on here.

Yes, I have heavily criticised his team selection for both the Cheltenham and the Forest Green matches. Much too defensive. There is no need for 2 defensive midfielders or just 1 out and out striker on the pitch.

Despite these criticisms, he has got us from rock bottom in League 2 to challenging for promotion from League 1 in less than 2½ years. We are playing a much better brand of football than has been seen for a good number of years but yet a lot of supporters dislike him intently.

I don’t understand it.



Onto tomorrow, I do hope the manager realises the folly of his negative tactics in the last few games.

We do not need 2 defensive midfielders.

We need 2 proper strikers. Kachunga is not a striker – what was the recent stat? Was it 1 shot in grand total for all his time on the field?



So I assume he will play a back 3 but who on the left? Johnston or Iredale. I expect it to be Johnston.

Bradley and Iredale or John as wing backs. As we need to get forward better, I hope for John.

One defensive midfielder only please – Williams.

Somehow Afolayan playing predominately on the left. Lee the creator in midfield with Charles and Bodvarsson upfront.

I won’t be correct with that side I know but please be positive – get players into the opposition’s box.



It will be a hard match but, always the optimist, I will also go for a 2-1 win.

Morning all I’m not to sure what to expect today, more of the same huff and puff win by 1-0 or get beat 1-0 it could go either way fingers crossed we get the win onwards and upwards COYWM