The Bolton News:

Evatt has assembled his 'best squad yet'

by Liam Hatton

THE January transfer window was quiet for Bolton, until it was not.

After weeks of Ian Evatt finding himself content with the makeup of his squad, that position was flipped completely on its head over the last week or so.

It all started with the announcement of Swansea left back Nathaniel Ogbeta on loan, who then promptly introduced himself to the travelling Wanderers faithful less than 24 hours later with a well taken strike at Carlisle United.

If the progression of Conor Bradley and subsequent elevation to Liverpool’s first team has not got tongues wagging on Merseyside, the fact that Calvin Ramsay has been entrusted to further his development under Ian Evatt ahead of Championship teams is a testament to the club as a whole.

Within a couple of days, Evatt addressed concerns about the wing back positions, adding backup and competition at both slots.

There is optimism around Ramsay and if he even has half of the impact that Bradley did during his time here that would be huge. Ogbeta has the potential and with his contract expiring in the summer, it could wind up being made permanent.

The midweek EFL Trophy exit to Blackpool on penalties now allows Bolton to focus on the league, but you do wonder if the missed chances in that game accelerated Evatt’s wish for another striker.

There were rumours of Aaron Collins even before that game, but you never really knew how serious Bolton would prove to be. Would they go all in at the poker table in the hopes of promotion?

It turns out they were major players and whilst an opening bid was rejected, Bolton returned to the table with a second offer which was accepted. It represents the highest sum paid for a player since Jay Spearing in 2013, a sign of the progress made by the club to get back to a position financially that seemed unlikely even a few years back.

This move is exciting and this move screams firepower. Between Collins, Dion Charles and Victor Adeboyejo, Bolton now have three players who scored 46 league goals between them last year. On top of that, Collins is the reigning League One Player of the Year.

Some may reserve their judgement a little, given fewer goals from Collins this year but his goal involvements as a whole has shot up with eight assists this season - trailing only Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

Whilst he was deployed as a wide forward at Bristol Rovers, the potential of him playing in one of the two spots up front or even perhaps as a second striker in behind is enticing in itself.

Finally, the influx of injuries at the centre back position has been a worry - Ricardo Santos is out for a minimum of two weeks, Gethin Jones is still away with Australia, George Johnston will not be back until next season and Eoin Toal is managing his own injury.

Therefore another signing was a must and it comes in the (very tall) form of Caleb Taylor on loan from West Brom. Spending last year at Cheltenham, this is another case of a highly rated talent who is comfortable with playing the ball out and also defensively sound.

The pieces are in place now and this is undoubtedly Evatt’s best squad during his Bolton tenure.

No more cup distractions, no pressure surely?

The Bolton News: Jones shares a laugh during a warm-up at Wanderers

Aussie exit is fair dinkum,

by Tony Thompson

SORRY Gethin, if you are reading this is an airport lounge on your way back from Qatar, but I am glad you are coming home.

Mr Jones played five times for Australia, including a friendly up against the might of Bahrain, and had a 100 per cent record. Not bad for a competition’s work.

The one time they don’t start him, against South Korea in the quarter final, out go the Socceroos.

As Alf Stewart would say: “Stone the flaimin’ crows!”

I am happy that he got his chance to play international football at a major tournament and who knows, he might get another shot down the line with the World Cup coming up?

For now, though, Bolton need him here and I am sure that Ian Evatt will have been “stoked” to see South Korea score their late equaliser and go on to win the game in extra time, even if he probably won’t publicly admit it.

I watched a few of the games Australia played and the standard did not impress me much, if I am truthful with you all. Even the South Koreans, who had the majestic Heung-Son Min playing for them, seemed to be playing raggedly at half pace.

The African Cup of Nations has provided a lot more highlights but I do wish both competitions could be played at an easier time of year for the English season. We can’t control that I suppose.

Gethin gets a raw deal from some of the Bolton fans I know. Sometimes you only know what you are missing when it is gone and I think his leadership in the pitch is going to be really important if Ricardo Santos is going to be missing for a bit.

I remember the days when Kevin Nolan, Nicky Hunt, Julian Darby even Neil Whatmore would get stick from the fans, just because they had been there a while, they just got on with the job. Players like that are worth their weight in gold to managers but they don’t often get the recognition they deserve. Well, I see you Gethin. And I am glad you are back!