IAN Evatt is banking on Wanderers’ resilient streak keeping them in promotion contention this season.
Though many remain underwhelmed by the start Bolton have made to the season, the team has taken 22 points from the last 10 games to bring themselves back within striking distance of the top six as they head to Cambridge United tonight.
Wycombe have been the surprise package at the top of the table so far, even edging ahead of big-spending Birmingham City, but Evatt believes his team enough staying power and experience of the division to make sure they have a chance in the longer run.
“I think we have always found a way to respond to setbacks and that is a great attribute to have,” he said. “We are resilient, and we have built-up resilience because in football you have to, there is always a bad time, result or run around the corner and you have to be able to manage them. On the whole, we have managed them well.
“You have to stay the course. Nothing is given out now.
“The league is still incredibly tight, as I’d predicted it to be, and everyone is in that. Wycombe have had a great start to the season but they will have a run and a spell, everyone does, and we have to be ready to take advantage when that comes.”
Meanwhile, Wanderers’ Under-18s suffered their first defeat of the season to bow out of the FA Youth Cup at the second-round stage to Lincoln City.
Julian Darby’s side levelled the game at 2-2 with three minutes to go through Daeshon Lawrence but Denny Oliver replied immediately for the Imps to send them through.
Harley Irwin had previously brought Wanderers level with a deflected strike but two goals from the dangerous Dakara Wifa had nudged Lincoln back ahead.
“Congratulations to them on a great performance,” Wanderers’ Head of Academy, Dave Gardiner told the club. “They came with a great game plan and it worked. They are well-organised team and we wish them all the best in the next round.
“Our lads gave it everything. They’ve had a really good run of games. They’ve been used to winning and it’s how we bounce back now from this back in the league.”
