We had a decent thread a while back discussing Evatt’s philosophies and approach to the game (think it got tainted and pulled)

So not a bad time to start it up again at the beginning of the season.

In the main he’s done a fantastic job. A minority lost patience round about Xmas/New Year in both seasons. 

But surely now he has the large backing of the majority of fans and the brand he talked about implementing here is now well and truly established.

Good article above highlighting how he’s using Sport Science to get the squad performing to it’s optimum level.

A young, meticulous, intelligent and passionate individual, who we are very lucky to have leading our club.

I hope he gets what he deserves with promotion to the Championship. 

2 hours ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

Fans, some knowledgeable, some less so, have long pleaded for a 'plan B'. He's gone so far as to ridicule the idea, yet now he seems to have accepted it. Let's see if that's real or him bullshitting us.

I’m not sure this is a Plan B.. I think it’s his new Plan A

Isn’t a Plan B something you turn to when Plan A isn’t working? (And then revert back to A)

if so, I’d still like to know what his Plan B is 🤷‍♂️

It's a myth. 

We went direct loads last season. It just never bloody worked.

4 hours ago, gonzo said:

It's a myth. 

We went direct loads last season. It just never bloody worked.

It did at Barnsley.

.

Edited August 6, 20241 yr by BWFC_LOVE

Just now, BWFC_LOVE said:

I think Dan has it in him to have a really good season at this level, permitted the time.

I see a lot criticising his touch, but the ball certainly sticks to him better than it did say Bakayoko, who may as well have not been there beyond a freakish purple patch.

Very much a confidence player. End of the day, he’s 4th choice and our only real ‘target man’ as such. Could prove to be a very important outlet.

Whilst he's on the pitch, I'm fully behind him, but I just don't see it coming off.

33 minutes ago, Traf said:

Whilst he's on the pitch, I'm fully behind him, but I just don't see it coming off.

if it clicks for him this year, I'll love it, 

that said if he's a planned sub to come on at 65 mins to hold the ball up, and scores no goals all season, but does exactly as Evatt asks him to, I'll love it. 

I'd be delighted for him and us if it suddenly clicked as well but still yet to see any signs. I think he's meant to be a really nice bloke too, I don't want him to fail.

It's certainly not a lack of effort from Dan. If anything it sometimes looks like he's trying too hard. I'd love him to have a good season.

it was harrogate, not real madrid, but on thet day, hes miles better than mid table div 4

whether that was going to be a regular thing, ive no idea

Just before his injury he was looking okay and that there might be a player in him.

I'll see how he starts this season before joining the ranks on here and saying he's shit and will always be shit.

He scored a better against Bristol Rover at the back end of the season before last, and looked like he might have something about him

But there's no question his performances since have been poor

The fact that we paid money for him for being a good egg is crazy. I think I've pretty much given up hope that can be an effective player for us over a decent chunk of the season. He may have the odd fleeting moment that makes us think he can turn the corner, but then won't kick on.

Seems like a good personality to have around the place and cleaerly well liked by his colleagues, but that isn't enough when you've got a thin playing budget

Hope I'm wrong, but not sure I'll be proven so

Edited August 7, 20241 yr by boltonboris

22 hours ago, gonzo said:

It's a myth. 

We went direct loads last season. It just never bloody worked.

....and that's because of the opposition's controlled press/mid block which we had no answer for.

This, for instance....

 

Edited August 7, 20241 yr by Wanderlust

In the full Des Buckingham video, he goes on to explain that their front three blocked off the passes from the back to Sheehan or to the WBs to leave no short forward passes on - so we were forced to hoof it and their back 4/goalie just swept everything up.

I'm not 100% convinced that the "new system" will provide enough options to counter that but time will tell. I like Evatt but my one concern is whether or not he is flexible enough to change mid-game if it's not going well.

32 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

In the full Des Buckingham video, he goes on to explain that their front three blocked off the passes from the back to Sheehan or to the WBs to leave no short forward passes on - so we were forced to hoof it and their back 4/goalie just swept everything up.

I'm not 100% convinced that the "new system" will provide enough options to counter that but time will tell. I like Evatt but my one concern is whether or not he is flexible enough to change mid-game if it's not going well.

I find it a bit of a mystery why they weren't all doing that in the first place.  It was so noticeable when we beat them 5-0 that they were far too open and trying to beat us at our own game.  

For me it's layers, or phases, call it what you will.

If Sheehan is marked out the game, where next, full backs?

They're out of equation, so can we get it in to GT or PM, if not, then hit the front men. Yada yada yada.

We just seem obsessed with a single way of playing and when it's not working we don't seem to have the agility, or intelligence, to move through the options and find the space elsewhere on the pitch.

What he isn't saying in that video are the risks with his plan, as there will be some!!, but we still haven't figured it out.

Edited August 7, 20241 yr by JimmyRiddle

So is the answer instead of Santos standing on the ball, he or one of the other two move forward with it centrally?

I'm no tactician but if there's no one to pass to because the forwards are pressing other players then move the ball in to the space they leave behind 

 

42 minutes ago, Zico said:

So is the answer instead of Santos standing on the ball, he or one of the other two move forward with it centrally?

I'm no tactician but if there's no one to pass to because the forwards are pressing other players then move the ball in to the space they leave behind 

 

Exactly the type of marauding run Evatt himself was a master at.

 

1 hour ago, Zico said:

So is the answer instead of Santos standing on the ball, he or one of the other two move forward with it centrally?

I'm no tactician but if there's no one to pass to because the forwards are pressing other players then move the ball in to the space they leave behind 

 

I'd guess so

It'd certainly force at least one of their players out of position and create space 

2 hours ago, gonzo said:

Exactly the type of marauding run Evatt himself was a master at.

 

You see it on the odd occasion that Santos runs forward with it, the opposition midfield aren't sure whether to go to him/the ball and leave 'their' man free thus opening the space for a pass or do they stay with their man and let Santos roam into their half.

For some reason, a centre half moving forward with the ball is surprisingly chaotic.

8 hours ago, Traf said:

For some reason, a centre half moving forward with the ball is surprisingly chaotic.

I think the last thing I'll see in my mind's eye before I die is David Luiz running the full length of the pitch unchallenged.

22 minutes ago, DazBob said:

I think the last thing I'll see in my mind's eye before I die is David Luiz running the full length of the pitch unchallenged.

Mental that. Phil Jones did the same to us around the same time. Phil. Jones.

36 minutes ago, DazBob said:

I think the last thing I'll see in my mind's eye before I die is David Luiz running the full length of the pitch unchallenged.

I don't think I've ever been so frustrated and dumbstruck to see a goal coming so long before it went in

And then even Bogdan made it look incredibly easy for them 

I hurt my foot kicking a step when that happened.  Every fucker in the ground shouting at someone to close him down.

I just remember the 'keeper giving it to Luiz, SKD going over to their left back to cut that pass out and there being a massive open space right down the middle of the pitch.  No Bolton players had a clue what to do ... and it happened repeatedly.

1 minute ago, DazBob said:

I hurt my foot kicking a step when that happened.  Every fucker in the ground shouting at someone to close him down.

I just remember the 'keeper giving it to Luiz, SKD going over to their left back to cut that pass out and there being a massive open space right down the middle of the pitch.  No Bolton players had a clue what to do ... and it happened repeatedly.

It was almost as if the team were under strict instructions to do something and not deviate from that plan ... even when the opposition has it completely sussed.

Hmmm.