Bolton Wanderers return to League One action this weekend when the Whites host Lincoln City.
Wanderers are in the top six as things stand following the recent interntional break when they were not in action. The planned trip to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth was postponed due to call-ups in the Whites camp.
Bolton take on the Imps at the University of Bolton Stadium aiming to make it four wins in a row in the division and continue to climb up the table. Lincoln sit 12th following last weekend's action
READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers team news ahead of Lincoln City as Conor Bradley sickness update given
Before the game, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt spoke to the media at a pre-match press conference. Here's a full transcript of what he had to say to broadcasters.
Can you bring us up to date after the internationals?
“Matt Barrass has had a report from the national teams that have been involved about the health of our players. Conor Bradley has a little bit of sickness yesterday, but they don’t envisage it being problem for Saturday so in terms of injuries, it’s fine, just a little bit of illness for Conor. Other than that, everyone is fit and ready to go.”
What have you done during the enforced break?
“Last Saturday, I went to watch my lad play football and they lost, but it was entertaining. The lads have had a bit of a break, I think it’s great credit to them and the relationships that they’ve built with each other that I think quite a few of them went away together with their wives and girlfriends, which was nice for them.
“I’ve got to say they’ve come back in fine fettle this week. I think today was the best quality training session that I’ve witnessed since I’ve been at the club. It was breathtaking at times, the energy, intensity, quality, was there in abundance and I was delighted with today.”
You’ve got a busy month ahead…
“Absolutely we have and it’s a big month. Before we left on this mini-break, this is the beginning of the nitty gritty part of the season, the winter months when the weather comes in really quickly and it’s cold and miserable and you have to find a way to win and do so consistently. I think this is the start of this run now and the players are in a really good place.
“They’re really focused, heads down and working hard.”
Lincoln are the next opposition - they rattled up six goals away from home last time against Bristol Rovers?
“That was a crazy game, I’ve watched that game back a number of times now and it literally could have been 10 all. It was crazy the amount of chances there were in the game.
“They’re dangerous, obviously Mark Kennedy has them playing in a Man City -style 4-3-3, similar patterns, expansive, attractive, so we’ll be well prepared. We know it’s going to be a difficult game but we’re ready for it.”
What was it about training that made you so happy?
“Sometimes when managers and coaches are planning training sessions and what we want to get out of the sessions, when that comes to life and you actually see it first-hand, it is great to see. We are able to pitch two very balanced teams against each other. Outstanding quality, outstanding work ethic, really hungry. I was really pleased with today.”
After Conor Carty’s in the Papa John’s Trophy, how do you see the progress of the B Team?
“I think they have got a long way to go to being considered for the first team because we have got a very good squad of players. I have just come from the B Team game [a training match against Salford City] and there is certainly progression and improvement, and that is credit to Matt [Craddock], Tuttey [Andrew Tutte] and Dave Gardiner. The work they are doing on the grass with them is certainly starting to pay off. This week it is an improvement and another step forward, and that is what we want to see from these young players. Constant improvement and progression, and I think we are getting that.”
October is going to be a busy month. How is it going to affect your team selections?
“It is going to be tough, but I have got an excellent group of players who I believe in. I believe in them all and I think when we rotate and change things, we can see the team is still functioning the same way. Obviously, slightly disappointed with the Tranmere game just before the break because I think the first half, not so much technically but we just let ourselves down with our application and intensity.
"But it was a great lesson for our players to learn that if you do dip below our standard and level, it can cause you problems. They dug themselves out of that hole on the night. I know we lost the game on penalties but we got back in it. Since then and since the return to training, their attitude, application, intensity and quality levels have been first class, and that is all I can ask.”
How do you make sure those levels are retained throughout the busy run of fixtures?
“We can’t keep going to the well with the same 11 players all of the time because the way we play and how intensely we play, we are at our best when we play with that zest. To maintain and keep that, you have to rotate because there are that many games.
"The players all understand what is required. I am seeing really good things from them at the moment, really encouraging signs. But there is a long, long way to go. With the way we finished September, we have had a good start to the season but it is only a start. There is a long way to go.”
What are you expecting from Lincoln?
“They are an entertaining team, they score goals. They have had some good results of late. There is good patterns, good rotation and bravery in possession. They have got some threats in the top end of the pitch.
"We are going to have to be at our best. You can’t dip below our level in this league because the minute you do, you lose football matches. It is really competitive, there are strange results every weekend. We have to be at it and make sure we are at it. We know what is coming, we know how to prepare. I think it will be quite similar to the Charlton game here as a god example. We know what is required and will plan accordingly and hopefully produce.”
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