Bolton Wanderers' Ian Evatt on Carlisle United and fans

The manager of today’s visitors says his past with Barrow means he could come in for some stick at Brunton Park.

Evatt feels Carlisle’s ground can be “intense and intimidating” and says Bolton need to do the basics well this afternoon in order make the most of the trip.

“We know what we are going into. There is nothing we can do or change about that,” said Evatt.

“I don’t think because of history and the Barrow connections that they are my biggest fans – but then there aren’t many that are. 

Ian Evatt was Barrow manager before joining Bolton in 2020 (Image: Leanne Bolger)

“It is always an intense and intimidating place with a strong home crowd.

“We have to go and play our best football and hope it is enough to get us a result.”

Bolton, who sit third, are hoping to strengthen their promotion challenge against the second-bottom Blues.

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Evatt also says the windy conditions could also play a part.

“I know exactly what it is like up there and they have their own wind machines that they’ll no doubt switch on at 3pm,” he said, speaking to The Bolton News.

“It is not an easy place to play at any time of year – and I don’t know what storm will turn up on Saturday but no doubt someone will name one for us.

“We will have to cope with it as best we can.”

Evatt says that, despite United’s lowly status, he respects Paul Simpson’s team and the manager himself, who has brought in six new players this month including two – Jack Diamond and ex-Bolton man Josh Vela – who are in line for debuts today.

Evatt says he respects Paul Simpson and Carlisle (Image: Richard Parkes)

“They are trying to improve and Paul, who is an experienced manager, will know what he wants,” added Evatt.

“When you are in the bottom four it is usually the time to make some changes to try and find some results. I have no doubt it will be a tough game. 

“We have a huge target on our back and people want to beat us. That’s great, we just have to make sure we play as well as we can because it’ll give us the best chance of a result.

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“There are no guarantees in football, there never are, but we have to make sure we switch on, do the basics, and then hopefully our identity takes over.”

Bolton edged past one of United’s fellow strugglers in midweek and Evatt, who will include ex-Blues man Jack Iredale and is checking on Cumbrian former United star Kyle Dempsey's fitness, says that highlighted the kind of challenge expected this afternoon.

Jack Iredale will return to Brunton Park with today's opponents (Image: PA)

“Survival will still be [Carlisle’s] goal and it is getting competitive down there,” said the Bolton boss, whose side will be backed by nearly 3,000 travelling fans at Brunton Park.

“We saw on Tuesday how hard Cheltenham were fighting [in Bolton’s 1-0 victory] and they have had some great results.

“Carlisle are fighting hard too, Reading are starting to pick up results again. It is a difficult league and hard work – just when you think you have cracked it and you can predict results, some strange ones get thrown in like they did the other night. Thankfully it wasn’t us that time. 

“You have to respect every opponent because they are fighting for their lives. But we are fighting for something as well and we need to match their endeavour."