IAN Evatt believes control will be key in Wanderers’ crunch promotion clash with Morecambe this afternoon.

The Whites head to the Mazuma Stadium knowing they can take a giant step towards an immediate return to League One with victory against the Shrimps. Bolton are third and a point ahead of Derek Adams’ side and three more this afternoon would leave Wanderers only needing to win one of their two remaining games – at home to Exeter and at Crawley – to be promoted.

Evatt is calling for calm heads, rejecting the notion it is all or nothing both in terms of the promotion picture and the way the game may develop. “It’s certainly not a shootout because regardless of Saturday we’ll still be in with a shout but obviously we want to win and if we win, then it puts us in an incredibly strong position,” the Bolton boss said. 

“We don’t want any game to be a shootout or a basketball game.

“We like to control it in our own way, we’ll try and get control and gain control through possession and create, and then make sure without the ball we do our usual jobs, which we’re becoming very good at so if we play to our level and our standards, I’m confident that we’ll get the win.”

This afternoon’s hosts have won their last three and scored 11 goals in the process.

It therefore has all the makings of a game to remember given the respective form of the two sides and what is on the line.

Evatt has full confidence in his troops, especially if they can match the Shrimps’ recent form in front of goal.

“Yes, they’re on a really good run, but the last time I looked I think we are as well,” he said.

“Bring it on, is what I say. It’s two good teams, two teams that are used to winning football matches now and we’re confident, but we’re confident going into every game.

“Arguably it’s a bigger game for them because they have to win.

“We’re the ones ahead of them at the moment, but having said that, we don’t go anywhere to draw so we’ll be going there to do our best to win the game and I believe in my players.

“I believe in the tools we’ve got in the team and I think we can hurt them.

“They’re in good form, they’re scoring goals, they’re creating chances but so are we – the difference is they’re taking theirs and we’re not at the moment, so hopefully that will change on Saturday.”