THERE is just one word on Ian Evatt’s lips at the moment – positivity.

The Wanderers head coach leads his side into battle against Newport at the UniBol this afternoon still looking for his first competitive win in charge since arriving from Barrow.

Defeat at Colchester last time out saw him become the first Whites boss to lose his first four games in charge but he is firm in his belief that the good times are to come.

Evatt has called for time to complete his overhaul of personnel, style of play and mindset and is relishing the challenge in front of him as he bids to live up to expectations of a promotion push that will get the club heading back in the right direction.

He believes positivity is key for several reasons, especially given the club’s recent past and the current coronavirus situation in Bolton, which remains on a local lockdown, and around the world.

“I love tests and I think people that know me well will see that I’m calm and they’ll know the belief I have in myself and the belief I have in my players,” Evatt said at yesterday’s press conference.

“What I’m seeing on the training pitch every day is a vast improvement.

“I understand everyone wants results right now but we have to be realistic here.

“We’re changing a complete identity and it’s going to take time for the players to knit together and gel.

“That doesn’t mean to say I’m expecting to lose, I still want to win and win now and we haven’t been far away from that.

“Everyone that would have seen the games will understand that.

“The problem is, that when supporters can’t physically see the improvement and see the process of how we’re trying to play, to keep them patient is tough and difficult and that’s where the media have a responsibility to be positive.

“This club has had so much negativity and in the world we’re living in right now, the Covid world, that can only breed uncertainty with the fans.

“We have to come together and spread positive messages and spread positivity and when it comes together we’re in this together.

“The fans will hopefully be back soon enough and they can see the improvement that the team has made.

“For now we just need to maintain our inner belief and confidence.

“We know ourselves that we’re improving and we’re on the right path, we know we haven’t got results but the results will come and when they come, they’ll come around thick and fast and we’ll go on a nice run and everyone will be singing off the same hymn sheet.

“For now it’s the positivity that’s important.”