‘Baptism of fire’ – Bolton boss Ian Evatt on old Coventry pal Gary McSheffrey’s Doncaster job
Ian Evatt believes old pal Gary McSheffrey has been given a baptism of fire in his first managerial job with Doncaster Rovers but the Bolton Wanderers boss is focused upon picking up three points this afternoon.
Wanderers travel to take on relegation-threatened Doncaster Rovers tomorrow on Good Friday as they seek to finish as high up the table as possible.
For the hosts, however, all focus is remaining in the third tier of English football and sit five points from safety heading into the upcoming fixtures.
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Doncaster gave themselves a glimmer of hope thanks to a 2-0 win over Crewe Alexandra last weekend, a result which relegated the Railwaymen to League Two.
But Wanderers are seeking to go through April unbeaten and achieve a top 10 finish in the third tier of English football, having been promoted out of League Two last campaign.
Evatt insists it will be strictly business for his side as he wishes McSheffrey, who he has known since childhood and growing up together in Coventry, all the best with Doncaster and hopes he keeps them in League One.
But that will only apply after 5pm today as he seeks three points against the Yorkshire side.
He said: “He had a very good playing career and he’s very passionate about the game, so it is no surprise to me that he has gone down the coaching route.
“He has been given a bit of a baptism of fire, probably as difficult a job as he could have got, and it hasn’t been easy for him to bring in players, in terms of the finance.
“When he took the team over they were virtually doomed but he has managed to pick up some great results – they won at MK Dons, they won at Sunderland – and he has given them a chance.
“I hope he keeps them up and is given a chance with the job, going forward, but obviously those well-wishes only apply after the final whistle on Saturday, for us it is strictly business and trying to get three points.
“We played in the same Coventry Schools team. He was part of the Coventry City set up and my dad chose that I should go to Derby away from him, the trouble-maker, and my other friends, and let me focus on my football.
“We have known each other since we were very, very young and have always had the same friendship group, so I am excited for him that he has this opportunity. I hope he gets time because it will take time for him to put his stamp on things.
“He has been given a run of games – I think he has had 15 or 20 – whereas we were relegated at Chesterfield and I had three games.
“But I genuinely hope he gets the opportunity because his knowledge is excellent and I think he has shown with some of the results they have achieved that he knows what he is doing.
“They have a lot of work to do but they are back in the hunt again, which didn’t always look likely.
“We have to make sure we take care of our business and get three points.”
Another familiar face for Evatt will be Steve Eyre, who is part of McSheffrey’s backroom staff at Donny and joined the club in March.
The former Rochdale boss is someone Evatt knows well and the duo are still in regular contact, with the Bolton boss listening to the advice given to him.
And with both Eyre and McSheffrey at Doncaster, Evatt is well aware the hosts will be fully clued up on Wanderers this afternoon.
He said: “Steve, in terms of football education, knows me very, very well.
“We are still in contact and speak a lot, he has watched us play many times and offers me advice which I listen to and appreciate. It is great to see him back in football.
“With him and Gary there we know full well they will be extremely well prepared and ready for us, there’s no doubt about that.”