SET pieces could be a bittersweet topic of discussion for Ian Evatt this season.

Though delighted to see Jack Iredale and Victor Adeboyejo take advantage of two perfect corner deliveries against Lincoln City on Saturday, the Bolton boss admits his players’ success hit him in the pocket.

Wanderers were among the lowest scorers from set pieces in 2021/22 and their output only started to improve significantly from the turn of the year.

First team coach Sam Hird played a big part in improving the return, and Evatt implemented more simplistic tactics on the training ground, concentrating more on the quality of the delivery.

Having another string to the scoring bow could come in handy – but might also mean the staff Christmas party is a quieter affair than usual.

“It has already cost me a few bob,” Evatt told The Bolton News. “It was something we came up with in the summer.

“The counter-act is that every time we concede from a set play, then I financially benefit, it is a mutual thing.

“But it’s just a bit of fun – it doesn’t come out of our pockets directly, more from fine kitties.

“I get money when people are late that we will use for days out with the players and staff, team bonding exercises, and the players have their own one for silly stuff like not wearing flip-flops in the shower, that type of thing, and that’s where it comes from.

“They will be punished if they concede, rewarded if they score, and thanks to Saturday they are already 2-0 up, so it is a double-edged sword for me.”

Coincidentally, Barrow boss Pete Wild employed a similar motivational technique in League Two last season, which left tonight's cup opponents as one of the most dangerous sides around from corners, free kicks and long throws.

Wanderers have statistically been a bigger threat from set pieces since January and Evatt, Hird and the rest of the coaching staff have worked hard to find an approach which better suits the players.

“Set pieces since I have been the manager of this football club have been extremely topical. Sometimes we have had good spells, a lot of the time we have been criticised for them,” he said.

“It isn’t just Sam, it has been a mixture of us all. I decided to simplify everything because I think we were trying to be too precise and detailed.

“I can’t say exactly what we are doing but I can say it is simple for the players to understand and it has been important that we work with them on delivery because that is the most important part of a set play. It is no good working a block, someone free, or someone winning a one-v-one if the ball is put into the wrong space.

“We have improved on delivery and making sure that players are working diligently, every time, to take advantage of it.”