Although the Trotters were defeated by Barnsley in the previous season’s play-off semifinals, it was generally anticipated that they would make another run at promotion this year.
With Wanderers spending the majority of the season in and around the automatic promotion spots, it has undoubtedly worked out that way thus far. Looking ahead, they will be hopeful of securing a return to the Championship.
Manager Ian Evatt brought in eight players during a busy summer transfer window, and many of them have already had an impact at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
In order to sustain his team’s promotion push, Evatt will probably be eager to bolster his roster in January, and he may decide to let some players go.
In light of this, we examined two Bolton players who will need to establish their merits prior to January.
Goalie Hutchinson made an impression with the B team the previous season, and he has been a regular member of the senior matchday squad this year.
Hutchinson joined Hyde United on a temporary basis in August, but he was called up a week later. Hutchinson has previously had loan stints at Atherton Colleries and Bamber Bridge.
Although it will be difficult for Hutchinson to get in ahead of Baxter and Coleman, the club holds a very high regard for the 21-year-old’s attitude, as B team manager Matt Craddock noted.
According to Craddock, cited by The Bolton News, “We have some really good keepers ahead of him at the moment so Luke has to be patient and keep working hard, and that is what he does.”
“He is not arrogant. It is great for him and a true testament to him that he comes into work every day with the intention of improving.”
Hutchinson is a good fit for Evatt’s style of play because he is at ease with the ball at his feet. He may have a promising future with the team.
The next logical step in his development would be to go on loan to League One, League Two, or the National League, as his playing time is expected to remain restricted this season.
After being released by Wolverhampton Wanderers of the Premier League this summer, defender Matheson joined the Trotters.
When Matheson made his debut against Bury in the EFL Trophy in September 2018, at the age of 15 years and 336 days, he became the youngest player in Rochdale’s history.
In September 2019, during the EFL Cup at Old Trafford, he scored an equalizer for Dale in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United. This sent the match into extra time, but his team lost on penalties.
After paying £1 million to Wolves in January 2020, Matheson never played a game at Molineux, spending time on loan at Rochdale, Ipswich Town, Hamilton Academical, and Scunthorpe United.
The 20-year-old stated he was eager to rekindle his career with the Trotters after relocating to the Toughsheet Community Stadium, acknowledging that his time at Wolves had left him disappointed.
“I am not going to sit here and say it didn’t work out at Wolves because of an injury because that would be me lying to myself and lying to other people,” Matheson stated to The Bolton News.
It wasn’t just one item. Sure, having two season-ending injuries will affect your development, but I can’t say that’s the only reason or the reason I didn’t advance as far as I probably should have.
It feels almost like I’ve reset everything since coming here. I couldn’t be happier. If that makes sense, I don’t think I have an ego and I’m not offended that I play on the B Team because I just want to play games and enjoy football.
