Sam Allardyce criticises Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt amid recent League One struggles | OneFootball

Sam Allardyce was critical of Ian Evatt's tactics in his 'No Tippy Tappy Football' podcast.

Bolton Wanderers have endured a torrid start to the League One season despite entering the new campaign as one of the favourites for promotion along with Birmingham City and Wrexham - and now their former manager Sam Allardyce has been critical of current boss Ian Evatt.

The Trotters narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship last season, having been defeated 2-0 by Oxford United in the League One play-off final.

Although Bolton won their first match of the season against Leyton Orient, the Trotters are without a league win or a goal since, and suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Huddersfield Town last weekend.

Former Trotters manager Allardyce has chimed in on Bolton's poor form with some scathing words for current boss Evatt, especially when it comes to his system and tactics.

Sam Allardyce critical of Ian Evatt's tactics as Bolton Wanderers manager

Speaking on his 'No Tippy Tappy Football' podcast, Allardyce praised the Bolton manager for the work he had done with the club over the years.

However, he went on to criticise Evatt's tactics, and believes the manager should have another plan that he can switch to, as other teams have "sussed" their style of play.

“This podcast is called No Tippy Tappy Football as everyone knows, because it does rile me that everyone is saying there is only one way to play, and that’s the way to play,” Allardyce said.

“This is the best example of why you shouldn’t play it, but everyone is continuing to play it, sadly.

“Don’t forget he (Evatt) has done a great job over the last few seasons but all of a sudden, since they lost in the play-offs to Oxford, that all the other managers have sussed them. He only seems to play one way, and that seems to pay off for a lot of teams, and particularly Huddersfield.

“Decisions made by the centre-half and goalkeeper, if anyone watches it, are obviously the manager’s instructions, but messed up so badly. We haven’t seen one messed up like that for a long time.

“That is his choice. As a manager, you have to be strong and stick with your beliefs. But, for me, having Plan A and Plan B is crucial whether you are trying to avoid relegation or you are trying to win the Championship.

"You have to have a way of diversifying your play to either avoid relegation or win promotion.”

Ian Evatt could face sack if poor Bolton Wanderers form continues

Given Bolton's lacklustre start to the season, Evatt must be skating on thin ice.

If the results have been dismal, then the performances must be regarded as abysmal. After Bolton's treacherous start, the manager was under pressure to deliver a result against Huddersfield, but produced a horror show instead.

In a moment reminiscent of a scene from Faulty Towers, Bolton failed to play out from the back and, following a frightful pass from goalkeeper, Nathan Baxter, Antony Evans intercepted with ease to score the Terriers' fourth.

With four points from their opening five games, the Trotters are up against it to turn around their fortunes and Saturday's clash with Reading could prove to be pivotal in Evatt's future as manager.

If Bolton were to lose, then it could prove to be the end of a tenure that promised so much, but if they were to win, then Evatt could save his bacon.

Given Allardyce's analysis, it will be fascinating to see if the Bolton boss changes his approach as he is under increasing pressure to do so.

Despite the growing pressure, Evatt claimed he has the backing of the Bolton hierarchy in an interview with BBC Radio Manchester.

"The board are fully behind me, and I'm fully behind them," he told the radio station. "There's a real sense of togetherness. Everybody knows we're underachieving and underperforming, and only we can put it right."

Pressure on Evatt is mounting game by game from fans as Bolton are descending to the depths of the League One table.

Although he praised the manager's early work in his Trotters tenure, Allardyce was critical of Evatt's current tactics and believes he needs a change of plan.