A dozen different teams could still play a significant part in the League One promotion race, says Ian Evatt.
Wanderers dropped to 10th in the table as a result of their 5-0 defeat at Stockport County but just four points separate fourth-placed Barnsley and 12th placed Peterborough United.
Evatt insists his side can still challenge for a top-two spot despite confidence taking a hit at the weekend.
“There is still a long way to go,” he said. “I wouldn’t necessarily say it was tougher in terms of team level. What I will say is I think there are most teams who are competitive.
“That top bracket of teams was arguably six to eight last season but has probably been extended to 10 or 12. I think it is going to be extremely tight for everybody and that is including Birmingham.
“It is going to be a season of ups and downs, highs and lows, and the team that can stay the course is the one which will get the rewards at the end of the season.
“We have to be strong enough to be able to stay the course and understand that parts of the season are going to be extremely challenging and difficult.”
Frustration was clear to see on Saturday, with Bolton fans making their unhappiness known in no uncertain terms at Edgeley Park. The post-match inquest has also raised questions about whether Evatt can truly take them further than they have managed in the past two campaigns.
“We are going to face critique and criticism, and that has deservedly been the case post Saturday, but we have to be resilient enough to come back from that,” the manager said.
“I have been in this game my whole life, I am a relatively young manager but it is all I have ever known. I have been through times like this and there is no destination you reach without having bumps in the road.
“When you reach those bumps, you have a decision to make whether you turn back or keep on walking. For us, it is about just keep moving forwards.”
Tonight, Wanderers can put league concerns on hold as they welcome League Two Fleetwood Town for the last of their Bristol Street Motors Trophy group games.
In the opposite dugout is a man Evatt knows well. Charlie Adam was also part of Ian Holloway’s Blackpool side that won promotion to the Premier League in 2009.
Backroom staff Matt Gilks and Stephen Crainey were also part of that Tangerines side, which has spawned a number of future managers and coaches, including Rob Edwards, Stephen Dobbie, Andy Reid, Jason Euell and Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
Victory would guarantee Bolton passage into the knockout rounds but if the game ended in a draw, they would need to win the penalty shootout to progress.
“Charlie is part of that Blackpool team, which—I don’t know the actual number—but a large majority of that squad has gone on to coach and manage,” Evatt said, looking forward to the game.
“I think that speaks volume to what that group was like as a team. Charlie has a wealth of knowledge of the game; he is a great guy and someone I have known for a long time.
“I know he will have his team very motivated to come here, perform, and try to get through. We both have to win to ensure that we go through to the next stage of the competition so I expect a difficult game.
“It will be good to see him; I have not seen him for a few weeks now. It will be good to catch up and hopefully it is a good game.”
