It’s reasonable to say that supporters of Bolton Wanderers have been unhappy and critical of the team’s play and outcomes during the past few months, and for good cause.
Before the recent back-to-back wins over Reading and Bristol Rovers, Wanderers had only won four of their previous 13 League One games. They had fallen from a position where they could guarantee their own promotion to one where they now need other teams to lose points in order to finish in the top two.
Although Ian Evatt has faced criticism this term, it is important to keep in mind that the Trotters’ support has remained positive and self-assured because of the relatively unremarked-upon miracle that happened in 2021 and their previous history of succeeding against the odds.
2020–2021 was an unparalleled promotion.
The 2019–20 season began with a close call with Brandon’s removal from the EFL. After taking over in the late summer, they brought in a plethora of new players to bolster the ranks of academy graduates who had participated in the first month of the season and lost three games by a score of five.
Bolton was demoted at the end of the season, which started with a 12-point deduction and ended early because of the COVID-19 outbreak. They had just six first-team players registered going into the 2020–21 campaign.
After leading Barrow to the National League title, Ian Evatt was recently named the new manager. He launched a massive recruitment drive, but it was hampered by a number of subpar signings that appeared to be the result of the departure of the club’s former director of football, Tobias Phoenix, in December as the team was languishing in the bottom half.
Bolton was actually in a six-team relegation battle in the beginning of February, and the club’s chances of dropping into non-league football were very real. in the time, they were ranked 18th in League Two.
The Trotters, on the other hand, went on one of the greatest runs of form in EFL history, winning 16 of their final 22 games and earning 50 points to move out of the relegation zone and into third place in the fourth division, where they finished just three points behind eventual league winners Cheltenham Town.
| Final 22 games of the 2020/21 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| OPPOSITION | VENUE | RESULT |
| Leyton Orient | H | 2-0 W |
| Morecambe | H | 1-1 D |
| Stevenage | H | 1-0 W |
| Mansfield Town | A | 3-2 W |
| Southend United | A | 1-0 W |
| Scunthorpe United | H | 2-0 W |
| Barrow | H | 1-0 W |
| Oldham Athletic | A | 2-0 W |
| Bradford City | A | 1-1 D |
| Cambridge United | H | 2-1 W |
| Port Vale | A | 1-0 W |
| Walsall | A | 2-1 W |
| Forest Green Rovers | A | 1-0 W |
| Colchester United | H | 0-0 D |
| Newport County | A | 0-1 L |
| Harrogate Town | H | 2-1 W |
| Salford City | A | 1-0 W |
| Grimsby Town | A | 1-2 L |
| Carlisle United | H | 1-0 W |
| Morecambe | A | 1-0 W |
| Exeter City | H | 1-2 L |
| Crawley Town | A | 4-1 W |
The 2020–21 Bolton Wanderers campaign continues to be a modern-day marvel under Evatt, having gone from nothing but the expectations of a club that considers itself to be, at the absolute least, a Championship outfit to a fight against relegation to non-league and then automatic promotion in less than eight months.
Once more, a late burst is required to defeat Derby County and advance.
Due to Derby County’s mistake throughout the week, Bolton’s future is now in their own hands.
Although they trail the Rams in second place by two points, they still have a game remaining, therefore supporters should not lose hope that their team will win because they had success doing so under Evatt.
Even though it wouldn’t be a miracle this time, they would still need to overcome hardship—possibly hardship they brought upon themselves—and Evatt has proven he is capable of doing so, with a few essential players—like Ricardo Santos and Gethin Jones—remaining vital to his system.
With two victories out of two games in April, the Lancastrians have scored seven goals and are getting ready to welcome back important players like Nathan Baxter, George Johnston, Dan Nlundulu, and Dion Charles.
With three games remaining at home before traveling to Peterborough United on the last day, the Whites have four games remaining. Those who are skeptical of Evatt should remember the 2020–21 miracle.
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