Ian Evatt has respect for opposite number Joey Barton as the two prepare to go head to head this weekend.
The two sides meet in League One on Friday night and Evatt has heard positive things about the former Fleetwood Town boss as the two managers get set to face each other for the first time.
“I think he’s calm. I think he’s composed, he’s really intelligent and he’s a very good manager," said Evatt. "We have players that have worked under him at Fleetwood. Matt Gilks played with him at Rangers and Burnley and knows him really well, was under him at Fleetwood and everyone speaks really highly of him.
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“Joey’s a winner first and foremost, he wants to win football matches and I don’t know him as well as those guys do personally, but I certainly know he loves the game and he loves what he does and that’s a really important thing.
“I have a huge amount of respect for anyone that sits in a manager’s position because I know how difficult it is. I know the pressures that you come under so anyone who has that role has my utmost respect and Joey is no different to that.”
Bristol Rovers were humbled by non league side Boreham Wood in the FA Cup last time out but the Gas have adapted well to life in the third tier following promotion last term. Barton's side sit 15th in the table and Evatt is wary of the threat the visitors will pose.
“I think they’ve done really well, they’re a team with some good attacking threats," added the Bolton boss. "I think they’re a team that have some good players, especially at the top end of the pitch.
“We must remember that they’re a newly promoted team and we know how difficult it is being a newly promoted team to have success and sustained success in this division. Joey knows this division really well from being Fleetwood’s manager and they’ve given a really good account of themselves.
“I think it’s going to be a really difficult game. They carry a serious goal threat, they’ve been in some high scoring games so far this season, they create a lot of chances so we’re going to have to play to our best to get the result we want.”
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