Former manager Colin Todd has warned that expectation levels among Wanderers supporters will be even higher next season after their narrow miss in the play-off final.
Bolton, already considered one of the favorites for promotion next term, will face strong competition in a more competitive League One that includes teams like Birmingham City, Rotherham United, Huddersfield Town, and Wrexham.
Todd is confident that the manager, players, and fans can overcome the disappointment of Wembley in the coming weeks. However, he also recognizes that a backward step after coming so close to securing Championship football would be poorly received.
“If you have your squad ready for pre-season, you can get some good results, build confidence, and have people looking forward to the new season,” Todd told The Bolton News.
“But Ian will know that expectations will be higher, and supporters will want to see success.
“Fans need to be patient, and I think they have been at Bolton because rebuilding takes time and doesn’t happen overnight.
“After getting so close in the play-offs, the club knows that fans will expect them to go one better next time, and everyone has to cope with that.”
While Bolton has yet to make moves in the transfer market, Todd, who led the club to the Premier League in 1997 and to the play-off final two years later, stressed the importance of having experienced players in the squad.
“Having a few older heads in key areas is very important,” he said. “If you can get experience at the back, in midfield, and up front, it can really help.
“We had players like Gudni Bergsson, Scott Sellars, Gerry Taggart, Nathan Blake, great players in a great team that was unlucky to go down the previous season.
“We got backing from the chairman and the club to keep those players and give it a real go. I think similar conversations are happening now for Ian and Bolton. Are they going to give him the support?
“It seems they have been fair to Ian since he took charge, and I’d expect them to continue being fair.”
Bolton’s two most experienced players, Cameron Jerome and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, along with Welsh wing-back Declan John, are set to be released this summer.
Todd anticipates more changes as Evatt looks to refresh the squad that finished third with 87 points but missed out in the play-off final.
“As a manager, you have a strong position with players out of contract,” he said. “But it can also be challenging if not enough players are out of contract to make the changes you want.
“I’m sure Ian has considered the two leagues they could play in, who would suit each, and which players he might want to let go completely.
“Just 24 hours after the final, he would have been planning for next season with his staff. There will be changes, I’m sure of it, and I hope he gets the backing to make them.”
GET MORE NEWS HERE
Leave a Reply