Bolton boss on Nathan Delfounesos tough start to season

NATHAN Delfouneso can force his way into the reckoning at Wanderers again despite a difficult start to the season.

That’s the view of Bolton boss Ian Evatt, who admits the former Aston Villa and Blackpool striker was thrown into the team ahead of schedule against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

Since then, Delfouneso has failed to make the bench at Wimbledon or Lincoln, even prompting some speculation that he could be moved on in the transfer window.

But Evatt is backing the 30-year-old to respond after dropping out of the matchday squad, revealing that he was one of several players who found their pre-season interrupted by illness.

“Nathan has had no issues (with coming out of the team),” he said. “Again, he’s another who had Covid and we have had to chuck him in quicker than we would have liked. 

“He played against Barnsley and probably wasn’t 100 per cent right and fit, so didn’t  play  to  the  standard we know he is capable.

"It is one of them, take a deep breath and re-focus. Come out for a game or two, go back in and be ready to go.” 

The process of assembling a substitutes bench has changed this season with the EFL reverting to pre-lockdown rules on the number of replacements a manager can make in 90 minutes.

Delfouneso may well make the squad today against Oxford as Wanderers juggle a couple of minor injuries picked up at Lincoln City in midweek but Evatt says his history with the striker â€" with whom he played at Bloomfield Road in his playing days â€" will make no difference.

“Just because I know him doesn’t mean to say he is going to be on the bench,” he said.

“Balancing squads, 11 and subs benches, and the fact I can only make three subs rather than five means I don’t need as many attacking players. 

“You can see the balance â€" goalkeeper, two defenders, two midfield players, two attackers. 

“That is what we are choosing to go with at the moment. Nathan has been unfortunate not to be involved in that but there will be other opportunities and when he gets one, he needs to take it.” 

 Evatt believes today’s opponents will provide just as difficult a test as Lincoln did on Tuesday night.

“They are a good benchmark for us. Two teams who made the play-offs last season within a few days of each other,” he said.

“They have a very experienced manager in Karl Robinson, someone I respect and think he has done great. 

“It is a tough game but they all are in this division, every week is a difficult challenge. 

“They have got off to a good start but if we perform to our levels, which is high energy, then I have every confidence we can compete with this sort of club.” 

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