Ian Evatt reveals what would make him leave Bolton Wanderers | OneFootball

Ian Evatt has revealed what would make him leave Bolton Wanderers.

Ian Evatt has revealed that he would only leave Bolton Wanderers if he doesn't feel he could "win the battle".

The Trotters have experienced a difficult campaign so far and the pressure has begun to mount on the 43-year-old after a 3-1 defeat to Rotherham United.

Currently, they sit in tenth place, four points adrift of the play-off positions and a daunting 14 points away from the automatic promotion spots.

While the board expressed their support for Evatt last month, a return of just seven points from the last seven fixtures has intensified scrutiny, with many Wanderers fans expecting the club to be competing strongly for a top-two finish at the start of the campaign.

To make matters even worse, Saturday's post-match press conference saw the Bolton manager throw his players under the bus, stating that "some of them need to look at themselves".

This can often be the final words of a boss, but at present, it appears that Evatt will continue preparing for Tuesday's game against Lincoln City.

Ian Evatt discusses what would see him leave Bolton

Posed the question of whether he feels he can "win the battle" by the Bolton News, Evatt responded: "The minute I don’t think I can win it, I’ll walk away.

“That is how I feel. I am a proud man.

“I am not deluded. And delusion is rife in football.

“I am not delusional and the minute I don’t think I can get any more out of these players then I will have that conversation with the board. They know that and I know that."

Speaking about whether the struggles are all his own doing, the Bolton boss said: "I am taking responsibility – when have you ever not seen me take responsibility?

“I am one man who stands in the technical area and takes it all and takes responsibility. I am the first person who takes it for myself, my team selection and for everything else.

“But if anyone thinks this is just me, they are wrong. It isn’t just me. This is a collective thing and collectively we need to do better and get better. And until everyone starts taking responsibility and not just me, then we will be OK."

Ian Evatt admits criticism hurts

Discontent has been growing among fans in recent months, with some supporters even displaying banners calling for his departure. Evatt acknowledged that while he bears the brunt of the criticism, the players must also step up, take responsibility, and support him in turning the situation around.

“Absolutely it is personal, and I take it personally. I should,” he said.

“I am not saying it is right or wrong, I am saying I do take it personally. But let me tell you, when the fans are singing that the football is X, Y and Z, and this and that, it isn’t me playing the football, the players should take that personally as well. And this is what I am saying about taking responsibility as a collective, it is not OK, we need to be better than that and the only way we will be better is if the truth is told.

“It is no good me coming out here and supporting all the time, I have been there and done that, we are on the same cycle all the time and they need to hear it, publicly.

“If everyone thinks it is just me, they are wrong, it is not. It is everybody and everything.

While it has been a difficult time for Wanderers, they still sit just beyond the play-offs. If they can string a few wins together, then they will be right back in the hunt and, while automatic promotion is too far, the top six is a still a viable promotion system.

However, this aspiration may have to be completed without Evatt as his relationship with players and supporters is reaching an untenable point.