Bolton Wanderers finished ninth in League One this season in a successful first season back in the division.
Wanderers played in the third tier of English football for the first time since 2020 this campaign after securing automatic promotion from League Two last season.
The Whites ended up in the top 10 with a points tally of 73 points, 10 behind the play-off places as the standard needed to make the top six went up a level.
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Ian Evatt used a total of 37 players in the club's first team this campaign across League One, the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and the Papa John's Trophy.
So now that the season has concluded, we've gone through the Wanderers squad and given ratings for those who turned out for the Whites in the 2021/22 campaign.
We've opted to only rate players with five appearances or more, so there is no number for the likes of Matt Gilks, Adam Senior, Andrew Tutte, Ronan Darcy and Brandon Comley.
Goalkeepers
Joel Dixon - 6
The stopper arrived from Barrow over the summer and quickly became the club's number one goalkeeper ahead of Matt Gilks in the first half of the campaign. But was ultimately ousted as first choice after not convincing consistently enough and one of last acts this season was error which led to Hartlepool United dumping Wanderers out of the Papa John's Trophy in early January.
James Trafford - 7.5
Teenage stopper arrived from Manchester City midway through the January transfer window and became Bolton's new first choice goalkeeper, breaking a club record by keeping clean sheets in his first four games. Notched two assists during his loan spell two and was an assured precense for the most part between the sticks for the second half of the season as his game developed.
Defenders
Ricardo Santos - 8.5
Santos was handed the captain's armband in October and showed what he could do in remarkable campaign for the centre-half which saw him crowned the club's players' player of the year. One of few blemishes in campaign was red card shown against Fleetwood Town in December in otherwise commanding season at the back.
Gethin Jones - 7.5
Missed fair sized chunks of the season owing to injury and the tragic passing away of his mother Karen following her diagnosis with motor neurone disease (MND). But when Jones was available and turned out more than 30 times, he was a reliable, dependable and consistent player at right-back and later on in the back three, chipping in with three assists.
George Johnston - 7.5
His first full season in men's professional football following a summer move from Feyenoord saw him become first choice in the heart of defence. A promising 23-year-old who won the club's young player of the year award who caught the eye with his interceptions and ability to come out from the back with the ball.
Will Aimson - 7
Had to wait until the end of October for Bolton debut following summer move from Plymouth Argyle and his ability as a defender is clear with solid showings on that front. His capabilities in possession and playing out from the back perhaps does require improvement, but there were signs this was the case in the closing games of the season when filling in for the injured Santos.
Harry Brockbank - 5
Academy product made just six appearances in all competitions this campaign and much of that was at right-back, which at Bolton he was perhaps not suited to. Had harrowing experience in the 4-0 loss to Wigan Athletic from which he was withdrawn early in second half and departed for El Paso Locamotive in January.
Alex Baptiste - 6.5
Veteran defender had reduced game time this season compared to the previous campaign but scored equaliser in opening day 3-3 draw versus MK Dons and departs club this summer having made a big contribution to helping turn the club's fortunes around in the past few years.
Declan John - 7.5
Defender was first choice on the left flank when fit and, though perhaps defensively there is improvement needed, there is no doubting his attacking credentials with five goals and seven assists this campaign. The switch to left wing-back also seemed to suit him and allowed him to get forward more and exploit his threat further.
Liam Gordon - 6.5
Was back-up for both the right and left flanks of defence when needed and performed fairly solidly every time he wore the shirt, despite concerns over defending, but did not convince sufficiently to dislodge Declan John from that side of the pitch.
Marlon Fossey - 8
Made 16 appearances for the club after joining on loan from Fulham and made a huge impact at right wing-back, scoring once and notching five assists before injury curtailed his time at the club. An exciting talent Wanderers hope to have back at the club next season.
Midfielders
Aaron Morley - 8
Young midfielder joined from Rochdale in the January transfer window and looks to be a very shrewd signing. Has looked impressive with his range of passing in the middle of the park and scored marvellous effort against Gillingham with his first goal for the club, and it is exciting to think what he could do next season.
Kyle Dempsey - 6
January deadline day signing from Gillingham has had a frustrating and limited time on the pitch for Wanderers since joining and made 11 appearances in the second half of the season owing to injuries. Will look to kick on next season with a full preparation at the club under his belt in the summer.
George Thomason - 6.5
Young midfielder played 21 times this season but was in an intensely competitive central midfield department and spent much of his time on the bench, with only nine starts in League One this season. The 20-year-old is developing and looked solid whenever he did take to the pitch.
Kieran Lee - 7.5
A vastly experienced player who Ian Evatt has described as the best in the number 10 role at the club, but whose campaign was ended prematurely in February owing to the need to have heel spur surgery. The midfielder turns 34 in the summer but is still a valuable asset whose game time is being managed accordingly.
MJ Williams - 7
Holding midfielder got his first goal for Wanderers in the 1-1 draw versus Sheffield Wednesday and was solid for the most part in that role this campaign.
Antoni Sarcevic - 6.5
Former captain departed for Stockport County in October after being dropped to the bench for reunion with old club Plymouth but before then had been solid in the middle of the park with three goals. Played against Wanderers in the FA Cup later in the campaign.
Josh Sheehan - 7
Started the season on fire with a couple of goals early on including a marvellous opening day free-kick versus MK Dons. Season ended early with ruptured ACL in November and will have a big pre-season ahead of him for the following campaign where he will be part of a new look midfield group for him including Morley and Dempsey.
Forwards
Dapo Afolayan - 8.5
A first full season in men's football saw Afolayan end it with 14 goals as the club's top scorer and become the club's player of the year. Had dips in form at times, along with the team, and also played in an unfamiliar number 10 role, but was for the most part Bolton's chief attacking threat throughout the campaign and understandably has the eyes upon him.
Dion Charles - 8
After a lack of game time at Accrington Stanley, Charles burst into life at Wanderers with six strikes in his first 10 games, including goal of the season with the winner on the road against Shrewsbury Town. Had a goalscoring drought before ending the campaign with a brace versus Fleetwood on the last day of the season and will be a crucial part of the club's plans next season.
Amadou Bakayoko - 7.5
Former Coventry City man had limited impact in first half of the season owing to injury, but proved to be big asset in second half with 11 goals in 2022 as he ran Afolayan close in the top scorer chase. A valuable player, particularly with his impact off the bench and the energy he brings and was rewarded with a first international call-up and goal for Sierra Leone.
Eoin Doyle - 6.5
Irishman started season as the club's main striker but struggled for form in League One in front of goal, though no lack of effort or hard work from the striker as he remained committed to get Bolton up the division. Moved back home to St Patrick's Athletic in January and is combining playing with a scouting role for Wanderers, keeping them abreast of the best Irish talent.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson - 8
Iceland international joined in January after being frozen out of the first team picture at Millwall and took some time to get up to speed at Wanderers, but has made quite the impact since doing so. Found the back of the net seven times and will likely by a massive player for Wanderers in League One with quality and also offering Wanderers the chance to go with a more traditional strike pairing. Has been a hit with the supporters too and the introduction of the thunderclap.
Kieran Sadlier - 7
Moved across the Pennines in the January transfer window from Rotherham United and has played in across the front three as well as wing-back too. Have proved a useful option to have in the squad and chipped in with four goals too in the second half of the campaign.
Lloyd Isgrove - 6.5
Winger's season was curtialed early from November after a couple of hamstring injuries and spent time both on the right-wing and as a full-back. Work rate high as ever and one of the most trusted players away from home for Evatt with his out of possession duties.
Elias Kachunga - 7
Took time to build up his fitness having joined on the eve of the campaign with no pre-season. But slowly found his form towards the end of 2021 and will form part of a competitive attacking group next season.
Nathan Delfouneso - 5
Attacker made 20 appearances but scored only twice with goals in the Papa John's Trophy. Was unable to work his way into team in competitive final third of the pitch and was loaned out to Bradford City in January.
Xavier Amaechi - 5.5
Injuries restricted Hamburg loanee to just 12 appearances and one goal as the winger ultimately failed to force his way into the starting XI and will not be returning to the club next season.
