MARK Beevers admits the players who survived the summer clear-out at Wanderers have raise their game this season.

The big defender, who signed a new one-year deal at the Macron last month, maintains staying up in the Championship against all odds was still a significant achievement for Phil Parkinson’s side.

But with Wanderers looking to raise the quality across the squad before the close of the transfer window, the 28-year-old anticipates greater competition for places.

“We can all improve,” he told The Bolton News. “Last season was a case of good, bad and mediocre. You take away the poor start and the bad run we had in the last month or so and it wasn’t bad at all but it’s the consistency we are going to have to find this season if we want to improve.

“We can’t be playing catch-up like that. The core of players who played last season know we have got to step up, individually and as a team.

“The gaffer wants to bring in players and so nobody can guarantee they have a place at the start of the season. So it’s vital you put everything in over the next few weeks.”

Wanderers face their first pre-season friendly tomorrow at St Mirren after five days training at a base just outside Edinburgh. The squad going to the Simple Digital Stadium will contain a mixture of first teamers, youth and trialists, most getting 45 minutes of game time. And just getting out on the pitch again will be a relief for Beevers, after putting in hard yards over the last week.

“You always enjoy the games more,” he said. “It’s all geared towards the start of the season and considering how it went last time we know it has got to be right.

“That first home win, that first win on the road, you breathe a sigh of relief when you get it. And we need to make sure we get it quicker this time.”

Meanwhile the trip to Sheffield Wednesday, which was originally due to take place on Wednesday, November 28, will now be played 24 hours earlier, on Tuesday, November 27.