THIS summer has been one of reinvention for Wanderers, a metamorphosis achieved almost entirely out of sight.

Ian Evatt made no secret of his intention to make radical changes when he was installed as head coach, and a procession of 14 signings and counting means each starting line-up has an air of mystery about it, even to those who have been lucky enough to watch the team’s early outings.

The germination of an idea to play expansive, possession-based football began several weeks ago on the training ground and is now blossoming into a very clear philosophy. It is not without flaws – and even the margin of victory against League One Accrington came with notes for improvement – but the bottom line is that if Evatt and Wanderers get this right, we are all in for a treat.

Yes, there were heart-in-mouth moments as Ricardo Santos, George Taft and Co played clever interchanges with their own goalkeeper to unpick the high press. Yes, there were times when they put themselves under undue pressure by trying to be a little ‘too clever’.

But as the score-line suggests, this team is set up to create chances. Both Nathan Delfouneso and Eoin Doyle have already helped themselves to a handful of goals this summer and if they are supplied with the same sort of ammunition in the months to come, we could be witnessing something very special indeed.

Letting fans in on the secret is the next big step. For the last few weeks, the mood of positivity has been difficult to ignore, and illustrated perfectly in the rush to buy season tickets. Folk seem eager to identify with their town’s team again, now it is fully rid of the stench and grime accrued in the last few years.

The club has worked hard to present a more acceptable face and credit must go to Football Ventures, who have managed to negotiate last season’s apathetic relegation and the myriad of problems presented by the pandemic with dignity and professionalism.

Indeed, chairman Sharon Brittan and her daughter were among a handful of people in the stands at Bamber Bridge – not the sort of glamour trip you might have expected her predecessors to make.

The Sir Tom Finney Stadium has been a pleasant place to witness Wanderers’ evolution on the pitch and Saturday’s starting line-up may give a reasonable clue as to the team Evatt will put out against Bradford City when the real business begins on September 5.

Billy Crellin looks a very likely starter in goal with a back three of Ricardo Santos, Ryan Delaney and George Taft looking well-balanced.

Brandon Comley has arguably been Wanderers’ most consistent performer in pre-season, so his place as a deep-lying midfielder looks secure, as does captain-in-waiting Antoni Sarcevic as a number eight.

Gethin Jones and Liam Gordon offered width on the flanks – the former being pushed hard by Jak Hickman, who has also shown up well since arriving at the club.

And Bolton fans need little reminder of the touch of class that Ali Crawford can offer at number 10, the Scot quietly picking Accrington apart all afternoon in this case.

Up front, the partnership of Doyle and Delfouneso continues to purr.

Whereas Doyle is the man darting to the near post to get a toe on a low cross, Delfouneso seems happy to drop a little deeper and link play around the penalty box. The former Blackpool man has also developed a knack over the last few outings of being the first to react to anything dropping into the six-yard box, a handy skill indeed.

Evatt has options, too. He wants to add four more players to his squad and the likes of Reiss Greenidge, Alex Baptiste, Harry Brockbank, Tom White and Ronan Darcy are also pressing hard for an opportunity.

Given the fact his side dominated the first half against Accrington so impressively, you could forgive Evatt for keeping a similar look to his side in the build-up to the September 5 Carabao Cup game against Bradford.

Wanderers were 2-0 up at the break thanks to Delfouneso’s opportunistic finish on 13 minutes and a Doyle penalty half an hour in.

It could have been more – Doyle was twice denied by the keeper after attacking low crosses from Jones, and Taft went close with a header from Crawford’s corner.

Accrington tried to hassle mistakes by pressing Wanderers high up the pitch, and on occasion it worked. Crellin had a couple of nervous moments and ex-Whites star Joe Pritchard should have got on the scoresheet when he burst in on goal midway through the half only for the ball to get stuck under his feet.

Whereas the pitch had been a little dry on their first visit to Bamber Bridge, the inclement weather left the surface particularly soggy on one side, which did not help Bolton as they tried to play their way out of trouble on a few occasions.

When Bolton got it right, the speed at which they could transition from defence to attack was impressive. And the frustration began to tell with John Coleman’s men.

Lamine Kaba Sherif’s dreadful challenge on Sarcevic should have been a red card – but the Guinean midfielder saw only yellow as he was helped from the field after injuring his own knee in the process.

Tom White received a nasty cut above his eye after an errant elbow and Wanderers’ young trialist was clattered late on by Cameron Burgess – prompting another show of solidarity from the Bolton players, and comments which won’t be printed in a family newspaper.

It was the kind of flashpoint which would have been really enjoyed by a crowd of watching Wanderers fans, and though the team has made fascinating viewing this last few months the experience has been nothing like as enjoyable without them.

Crellin had to be in fine fettle for the last half hour as Bolton slowed, the on-loan keeper making three important saves to ensure the clean sheet remained intact. While the England youth international may still be learning the ropes with regard to Evatt’s style of play, his shot-stopping has been first class.

A third and final goal arrived with the last kick of the game. Bolton had made a raft of changes by that point as Brockbank, Adam Senior, Callum King-Harmes and Sonny Graham all got a run but when Comley was tripped in the box it was the young trial striker – un-named at the club’s request – who grabbed the ball to slot home his third goal of the summer.

Everywhere you look right now there are positives for Wanderers and the sooner fans are allowed in on the act, whether in the stands or via a laptop screen, the better.

The grand reveal is only a couple of weeks away. Look forward to it.

Wanderers (3-4-1-2): Crellin, Santos (Darcy 83), Delaney (Senior 76), Taft; Jones (Hickman 64), Comley, Sarcevic (Graham 90), Gordon; Crawford (White 64 (Brockbank 77); Delfouneso (Trialist 73), Doyle (King-Harmes 90).