Bolton Wanderers will be aiming to sign off on a positive ahead of the international break with three points on the road against Crewe Alexandra.
Wanderers sit 11th in League One heading into tomorrow's encounter at Gresty Road and aiming to keep their faint hopes of reaching the play-offs alive, though they are 11 points from the top six as things stand.
The hosts meanwhile are fighting for their very League One status, sitting bottom of the division and eight points from safety prior to kick-off.
READ MORE: Bolton set ambitious season target with upcoming Wigan, Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday games
After this encounter, Wanderers have a two-week break after the clash next weekend versus Portsmouth was rearranged due to international call-ups by both sides, with Bolton next in action after this on the road to Wigan Athletic on Saturday, April 2.
Before the match against Crewe, Bolton boss Ian Evatt spoke to the media at a pre-match press conference and here's a transcript of what he had to say to broadcasters.
Injury update on Marlon Fossey?
“It’s not great news. He’s got a torn meniscus so he’ll be having surgery tomorrow and that will be him for the rest of the season."
Major disappointment clearly?
“From both parties, I think. He’s done exceptionally well since he’s been here. The crowd have really bought into him and vice-versa. He loves it here, but these things happen.
"There’s nothing we can do about it. It could have been a lot worse than just his meniscus, so it’s a pretty straightforward injury and operation but long enough to keep him out as there’s only six weeks left now so long enough to keep him out for the remainder of the season.”
Gethin Jones latest?
“Gethin will be back on Monday. It’s been a very challenging time for him and his family and there’s been no pressure put on him whatsoever and I’ve been in constant dialogue with him and he feels right and ready to come back on Monday.
"Obviously then we’ve got a two-week break to get everyone back available. Lloyd Isgrove’s back available, Kacha (Elias Kachunga) is back available, so for the one that’s missing, we’ve got a few returning as well which is good.”
Sounds like it never rains but it pours with injuries this season?
“I think so. I think we’ve suffered more than anybody. We’ve had obviously a smaller and tighter squad in the early part of the season and it wasn’t able to cope with the constant injuries that we were getting.
"Now we’re in a much better and stronger position to cope with that, but obviously losing big players like Marlon is never ideal. There’s nothing we can do about it, we have to just adapt and overcome and what it does do is provide opportunities for others.”
Crewe are next up?
“It’s a tough and difficult game. I think they’re at the bottom of the league but they’ve still got some good players. I think it’s a challenging pitch and surface again, so going to back to our Kryptonite, it’s another challenge and test for us.
"We have to make sure we do what we do and perform the same way as we did at Gillingham.
“I’ve been scratching my head and I suppose everybody has the last two games as to how we only got one point. I think in general our performances were excellent, created lots of opportunities, dominated both games and only got one point.
"I think what you’ve seen in the two games since after ours against Morecambe is they’ve hit a brick wall and that’s probably because they left everything here, their legs included.
"Against Plymouth we dominated the game bar a 10 minute spell where they possession at the back and a set play, we had complete control and should have won it.
"We didn’t but they’re a team that’s gone and beat Portsmouth and are going really well. I’m happy in general with our performances but our margin for error was taken away and we’ve suffered accordingly, but we’re looking forward to Saturday and hopefully getting back to winning ways.”
The international break, there’s suggestions there should be a different process for League One and League Two now - is that something you’d support?
“What I’d like to see because it can hinder or help really is just a level playing field, so a bit like the Premier League and Championship, whether you’ve got internationals or not, the whole division is cancelled.
"You can’t have five, six or seven games called off for internationals and the rest going ahead because people are either falling behind or it suits people who have got injuries.
"I just think some consistency and a level playing field will help everybody. This is nice for us to have internationals again, I’ve got to say. It’s nice that we’ve got players being selected for national duty and we wish them well and hope they can return in one piece.”
You look like a proud man with a few players called up for international duty?
“Yeah I’m pleased that we’ve got internationals. Traff (James Trafford) aside, Dion (Charles), Jon (Dadi Bodvarsson), Baka (Amadou Bakayoko) are our own players as well. Obviously Josh Sheehan was involved with Wales before his injury so we’ve got some very good players now and we’re heading on the right path.”
It feels like a big moment whenever any Bolton player gets called up for international duty because it feels the club is being seen in a more positive light?
“I think it was only two years ago that the club was in dire straights and now it’s a completely different place and we’re pleased about that.
"We’ve still got a lot of work to do but it’s nice for individuals to get recognition by the national teams and we hope they go out there and they impress and play as well as they possibly can do but fundamentally important that they return in one piece.”
Reflecting on this week, have you been happy with the way training has gone this week?
“I think this week I’ve seen what I wanted to see from the players on a non-football setting. What I’ve seen is a huge amount of togetherness, a huge amount of team spirit and that’s what makes me extremely proud.
"We can talk about football and details and training grounds as much as we want, but fundamentally we’re a team, we’re a club and what’s made me most proud this week in particular is the support we’ve given to one of our own and the togetherness we’ve all shown in support of that.
"Some things are bigger than football and this week it kind of feels like one of those weeks.”
How strong do you think that togetherness and team spirit is going to be for what is left of this campaign?
“Well we’re certainly not going to put our flip flops on and go on holiday. We’ve still got things to play for. We look like we’re out of it at the moment but this team is capable of winning eight straight games, there is no doubt about that and that has to be our target.
"Now whether that’s achievable or not I don’t know, but we’re going to be doing our best to try and do that and if we can, it gives us maybe an opportunity but it’s going to take a monumental effort, there’s no doubt about that.”
How much do you think that a strong end to one season can be a good momentum builder for the following campaign?
“Yes and no. We’re professional people in a professional industry so we have to remain professional at all times and that means giving our 100 per cent for this football club every single day, not just matchdays.
"That’s the bare minimum and we’ll do that to the best of our abilities and our target is to win eight straight games, it has to be our target but there’s accountability, we have high standards, that’s day to day and if you don’t get up to those standards, you get told.
"That’s the kind of environment we’ve created. It’s a good environment, we’re happy with it, there’s still improvement to come but there’s been some good signs.
"We’re not where we want to be, of course we’re not, but we’ve still achieved a lot this season for a newly promoted team I believe and what we’ve done is given ourselves better and more stable foundations to build for the future. That’s what we wanted to do and achieve.
“I’m the worst one for wanting success right now, I’m used to success and you go back through my playing record and my managerial record, I’ve had a lot of promotions, a lot of success.
"So this season we want to achieve that and we still feel we can, but it’s going to take a huge effort and this team and this squad is capable of doing it.”
What kind of challenge do you expect Crewe will pose?
“I think we’re going to see a team that are fighting for their lives. It’s got ever so tight at the bottom of this division and it’s hard to see who is going to slip through the net.
"Thankfully we’re not one of those and not involved in that fight because at one stage it could have gone that way, but I expect to see a team that are going to give it absolutely everything to try and stay in this division, so we have to match that effort and desire and then hopefully our quality will take over.
“But I think it’s going to be a challenging game.”
