WANDERERS will make changes for today’s FA Cup clash with Solihull Moors – but Ian Evatt insists that will not be an excuse for performance levels to dip.
The Bolton manager will most likely rest a few of his star players for the opening round match against Solihull Moors because his team has a league match at home against promotion rivals Blackpool the following weekend and a trip to Shrewsbury on Tuesday.
Evatt wants to give his entire squad as much playing time as possible, thus players like Will Forrester, Luke Matheson, Jack Iredale, Dan Nlundulu, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Carlos Mendes Gomes, and Paris Maghoma may be involved.
Evatt is optimistic that they can maintain their momentum in the cup after winning three games in a row in the league.
He said to The Bolton News, “We have a good group of players, and if we rotate and make changes, then it means there is opportunity, and one that has to be grasped with both hands.”
“After this game, we have two significant league matches. I won’t say that we are looking forward to them, but we do know how crucial they are to our season. In addition, we need to prepare everyone for those games.
“I have faith in every member of this team. With the exception of George Thomason, I have brought each and every one of them inside the structure, so I am aware of their potential. They need to go out and demonstrate it on Saturday.
Evatt managed Barrow throughout the first two seasons of his career in the National League, and the Moors, his current opponents, eliminated him from the FA Cup in 2019.
He thinks that non-league football has developed and become more strategically diverse.
“Since I left, I haven’t seen much of the National League, but what I have seen has changed,” he remarked.
I have observed Solihull, a little portion of Chesterfield (where I reside), tidbits of Notts County, and Wrexham’s development from the previous season, and it is a different animal now.
Some teams now have a distinct identity. They have players who have played league football, and if we are not ready, they will cause us difficulties. They want to go through the thirds, play from the back, and be visually appealing. I have seen that kind of game from Solihull.
“But, the Bolton Wanderers culture we have established helps because the players are aware of exactly what is expected of them, so I don’t see attitude or preparation being an issue on Saturday.”
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