A BOLT FROM THE NOU

Evatt wants promotion for Trotters playing like Barcelona

IAN EVATT will ask Bolton to mirror his ‘Barrowcelona’ side of last season.

Trotters boss Evatt isn’t just targeting promotion fr om League Two – he wants to do it in Pep Guardiola style.

Evatt proved he can succeed in the National League playing expansive football by leading Barrow to the title last season and promotion to the EFL.

His approach earned the Cumbrian side the nickname Barrowcelona and he insists he will play the same way at Bolton.

“The Barrowcelona thing is great,” said the Wanderers head coach. “I’m proud of the fact we managed to change the culture of the whole club.

“I firmly believe in how I want my teams to play and now I’m implementing the same process at Bolton.” Bolton ” Evatt, Evatt 38, has been busy rebuilding the club in his image in the two months since he replaced Keith Hill following the trauma of back-to-back relegations.

Bolton cannot buy anyone because of their transfer ban.

But they have still signed 16 players on free transfers or on loan – including League Two’s top scorer last season, Eoin Doyle. Evatt handed 10 their debuts in Saturday’s EFL Cup defeat at home to Bradford (below) and will blood more tomorrow night in the EFL Trophy against Crewe.

He knows his new team will need time to gel , but still wants promotion.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” said the former Blackpool and Chesterfield centre-half.

“I was discussing this with my wife – and Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp didn’t win anything in their first seasons because they came into clubs and had to rebuild and find a way of playing. It can be difficult.

“However this is a different situation because we have managed to recruit players who play the way we want to play.

“Promotion has to be the aim. If you don’t set out with that aim and that mindset, then there’s no point turning up in my opinion.”

Eight years aft er b eing relegated from the Premier League, there is genuine belief around Bolton that this is the start of their climb back as they experience life as a fourth-tier side for only the second time in their history.

“We’ve s o l d over 7,000 season tickets in a fortnight,” said Evatt with pride. “And these fans deser ve to see attractive, winning football.”

SUITED TO SUCCESS Bolton manager Evatt is aiming high as he looks for promotion – in style