PATIENCE will be a virtue for Wanderers in League Two this season.

Ian Evatt believes his side will have to get used to teams sitting deep and trying to stifle the attacking brand of football he is looking to introduce.

Bolton have scored 16 goals in their first three pre-season outings, conceding none, hinting at an exciting campaign ahead.

Despite a 6-0 scoreline at Loughborough University on Tuesday there were moments where the Whites looked frustrated trying to break down their non-league opponents – and Evatt believes it was a good experience for what is in store in the coming months.

“When teams do that we have to be patient and find a way through,” he told The Bolton News.

“At times we were, and made it look really easy to cut through them, and at times we were not so patient – the thing is, when teams go into that deep low block and try to nullify us, putting 10 behind the ball, the space is probably with the outside centre-backs.

“But because they are centre-backs by trade and end up in space on the edge of the opposition box it is kind of an alien position for them. They want to go backwards and get back into position.

“We need to make them comfortable ‘being uncomfortable’ so to speak. They need to be happy getting the ball in tight areas and they are all definitely capable of doing it.

“I think we will get better with that, we’re only a few weeks in. And in terms of results – Dennis aside – I’m really pleased.”

Wanderers will spend the rest of the week at Loughborough, using facilities which have been utilised by the likes of Liverpool, Celtic and Derby County over the past couple of summers.

Although Dennis Politic’s injury put a blot on an otherwise perfect pre-season copybook this week, Evatt is now seeing real signs of progress.

“We’re still improving, still building, training very hard,” he said. “The lads’ discipline and work ethic has been exceptional and I couldn’t ask any more from them. There’s no moaning, no feeling sorry for themselves, they all understand the process, and come the start of the season we should be ready.”