'I expect them to get into their stride': ex-Wigan and Portsmouth manager has say on Bolton Wanderers

Bolton have lost their first three games of the season in as many competitions - but have been backed to click in time

Former Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook believes Bolton Wanderers under Ian Evatt will eventually 'get into their stride' but warned that it will not happen overnight.

The Trotters kicked off their League Two campaign over the weekend but tasted defeat at the University of Bolton Stadium at the hands of Forest Green Rovers.

Carl Winchester's second half strike was enough to hand Mark Cooper's side all three points in the first ever meeting between the two sides.

Wanderers have played three competitive matches in as many competitions since the start of September under new head coach Evatt, and all have ended in defeat.

Evatt joined from Barrow over the summer and has so far brought in 17 new players at Wanderers.

And, speaking as a pundit on the EFL highlights show on Quest, Cook believes it will take time for the new squad to click at Wanderers, but they will eventually get into their stride.

But he believes there is an expectancy and pressure on Bolton this season, given that the bookmakers have backed Wanderers and Salford City as among favourites for the League Two title.

Cook said: “I think again now they bottomed out now in relation to where they’ve been free falling.

"They’re now in with new ownership, they’re starting the season without a points deduction, they’re now starting the season probably with Salford as everybody’s promotion favourites really.

"With that brings an expectancy and a pressure.

"Ian Evatt, who’s done an outstanding job at Barrow, he’s come in there now and he’s put a completely new team together and a new squad.

"There’s some big signings for the level in (Antoni) Sarcevic and Eoin Doyle.

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"It won’t happen overnight, they’re got to work together, they’ve got to build relationships up on the pitch that takes a period of time, and I do expect them to then get into their stride."