SCOLDED for their performance at Leyton Orient, Wanderers suddenly have some making up to do in what promises to be a big week for their promotion bid.

Bafflingly poor in East London, Ian Evatt’s squad can thank Burton Albion for stepping aside and allowing them to reschedule their home game against Cheltenham so quickly.

That meant a minimum amount of time spent analysing a defeat which was comparable, if not even more disappointing, than those against Carlisle United or Wigan Athletic earlier in the campaign.

In Evatt’s own assessment, his side have developed a frustrating habit of ‘chucking in’ a poor performance at random, but it has rarely been followed by another.

In December Bolton lost at Portsmouth and then slipped at home to Bristol Rovers, the first time they had suffered back-to-back defeats in the league in 14 months.

If you were to include the FA Cup replay against Luton, Wanderers are now looking to ensure they do not string three losses together – something they have not done since August 2022.

Few did themselves justice in the capital, but for top scorer Dion Charles the chance to get back out on the pitch and erase the memory of those two missed chances will be bigger than most.

Caught cold by Orient, there will be no such excuse for Cheltenham’s visit. They got a reasonable look at Darrell Clarke’s side in the 29 minutes before the January 13 game was abandoned for a medical emergency in the crowd.

The tragic events thereafter lend a slightly different tone to this meeting. Around 200 supporters who made the trip from Gloucestershire have had their return travel paid for by Bolton as a thanks for their patience and understanding.

Cheltenham sent a floral tribute to Iain Purslow, the lifelong Whites fan who sadly passed away after the original game, which was laid on his seat before the Luton cup tie. The club’s agreement to play this game so quickly has also helped the strengthen a rather unlikely friendship.

Like Orient, Cheltenham managed to turn over league leaders Portsmouth in their last full game, played on January 6. Since then, the Robins have sold striker Will Goodwin to Oxford United for a reported fee of £400,000 and at time of writing were set to sign former Manchester United midfielder Josh Harrop, recently released by Northampton Town.

With Saturday’s game at Burton was frozen off, Cheltenham will be suitably refreshed for their visit to the Toughsheet and hoping to capitalise on any hangover their hosts may have. The brief look we got of them 10 days ago showed a slightly change in style, moving towards a more energetic, high-pressing team approach. And though we will never know how the abandoned game could have panned out, it is fair to suggest that Bolton were not on top.

Now four points off the automatic promotion places – albeit with those games in hand – Wanderers also face a trip to Carlisle United on Saturday where nearly 3,000 away fans will be turning up in expectation rather than hope.

Many were content to view the Leyton Orient performance as a flash in the pan and talk from the dressing room has centred on learning lessons and moving on. But however out of character the performance and result felt, it has added extra tension and jeopardy to two awkward games against clubs who are already fighting for their survival in League One.

Pressure has also been increased on the recruitment front. Wanderers went into the window in relaxed mood, even with Gethin Jones and Carlos Mendes Gomes away on international duty. A couple of signings would be made, said the club, but in their own time.

With just over a week remaining in the window any wobble will intensify the calls for Evatt to make more significant changes.

The manager declared last week that new signings would not walk into his side and must earn their place – but equally those under his command must work hard – possibly harder - to keep their own spot in the team. With replacements available, and promotion the target, this is not a good time of year to be suffering a crisis in form.