Bolton fans ready for long-awaited away day at Wimbledon

WELL over 1,000 Wanderers supporters will be hitting the road tomorrow to watch their team in league action for the first time in 522 days. 

Not since a few hundred gathered at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium in March 2020 has a Bolton away support watched a competitive game, and Ian Evatt cannot wait to sample what they have in store. 

“Everyone keeps telling me about Bolton’s away support,” he said in the build-up to Saturday’s game at Plough Lane. “I haven’t seen it properly yet but the people around me at the club tell me they are fantastic and that they will be making more noise than the home support, so I am really looking forward to that. 

“You heard on Tuesday night with the Barnsley fans what a racket fans can make when they travel in number. 

“Normally the away support is the heart and soul of the fanbase, they travel away and spend all day Saturday travelling on the motorways for a fun day out. Hopefully we can give them something to cheer about.” 

Counting in Evatt’s favour is the fact his side looked comfortable throughout last season on their travels, finishing with a divisional high 12 victories. 

Wanderers are preparing themselves for a physical encounter at Plough Lane akin to some of the tougher challenges they faced in League Two. 

“For that reason alone, League Two was a huge benefit last season,” Evatt said. 

“We are used to having to roll up our sleeves and battle, grind away. You can think of Cheltenham, Southend, Mansfield, we have had to get dirty in all of them. 

“Our group can fight, there is more than one string to the bow. We are not just an attractive team who try to dominate possession, if we need to fight, we can. Hopefully we can do both on Saturday.” 

Wanderers face back-to-back away games at Wimbledon and Lincoln City within four days and Evatt is confident his squad can handle the workload. 

“I think I know what these players are about now,” he said. “We came through adversity in the MK Dons game and then the other night against Barnsley we bounced back after a poor first half and dominated, won a penalty shootout, so I know we have got character in that dressing room now. 

“We showed it a lot last season. We are confident with what we have got in the squad but we have to go out and prove it. Saturday is another chance to play well and get three points.” 

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