WANDERERS’ unbeaten start to pre-season fell by the wayside against Wigan Athletic – but Ian Evatt was far from despondent.

The Bolton boss felt his side had given a good account of themselves in their fourth outing of the summer, lacking only the finish touch to some of their decent build up play.

We looked at five takeaways from the game at Lostock and what issues the Whites still have to tackle with around three weeks to go before the big kick-off against Ipswich Town.

PICK UP THE PACE

Wanderers are at their most effective when they move the ball quickly, and against an opponent as willing as Wigan to soak up pressure and hit on the break, there really was no other option.

The tempo was better here than it was at Chorley, or during the first half at Stockport, at it was often just a final shot or pass that let Bolton down.

Dapo Afolayan was usually the fulcrum of the attack, picking up good positions to help work the ball into the penalty box in what was his best outing so far this summer.

JACK OF ALL TRADES

Jack Iredale appeared for the first time as a left wing-back, giving a slightly different take on the role to the one we have become used to with Declan John.

The Australian did get himself forward, with one first-half run helping to create a good chance for Afolayan, but he perhaps offers a slightly more defensive option.

Iredale certainly offers an aerial advantage and while he is still getting to grips with everything he is being asked to do, he certainly looks to be an interesting addition to Evatt’s squad.

ONE SHORT?

Amadou Bakayoko watched from the side-line, his knee dressed lightly in bandages. And while the big striker’s injury will not keep him out for long, it is tempting to wonder whether his absence showed that Wanderers are indeed a senior striker short of a full complement.

Ian Evatt has played down the chances of bringing in another forward, arguing that it would be difficult to keep his existing options happy.

On this occasion he was able to draft in ex-Manchester United man Connor Stanley, who has been working with the B Team, but with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson managing a minor knock, questions are suddenly being asked about whether there is enough depth in the senior ranks.

KACHA’S ROUND

With three goals in three games, it seemed only right that Elias Kachunga would grab the ball to take the penalty with regular taker Dion Charles off the pitch.

He won’t want to look at the replay, though. The ball skied a couple of feet over the crossbar and might just have landed on the ninth green at Bolton Golf Club.

Of course we would rather he got the misses out of the system before the serious business starts – but maybe some penalty practice for the boys on Monday morning, just in case!

THE SWITCH HIT

We all know the wing-backs have become an important part of Wanderers’ style this past couple of seasons but getting them into positions that can cause damage has not always been easy.

This summer, however, the Whites have had some real success when their centre-halves have got their head up and floated a pass out wide.

George Johnston has been particularly accurate – and he hit the mark with a couple of fine passes to release birthday boy Conor Bradley at Lostock.