Ian Evatt’s side had inched themselves up the table, even dipping their toe into the top six in late October, but any case they made to suggest progression was often sabotaged by a rogue result or performance, setting the counter back to zero with fans.

Going to Stockport County in on November 9, Bolton had won five games, drawn one and lost one of their last seven. There had been hiccups in the FA Cup and Vertu Trophy but for the first time the league table showed tangible evidence that the club could follow through with their pre-season promotion pledge.

And then the embarrassment at Edgeley Park.

A 5-0 defeat every bit as comprehensive as the scoreline sounds. A team ripped to pieces by Louie Barry’s canny movement and the midfield direction of Ollie Norwood. And, with hindsight, a body blow from which Evatt never recovered.

Losing against local rivals had become somewhat of a trope by that stage for Wanderers and doing so in this manner was never going to bring anything other than a negative reaction. For those who were down by the Mersey that afternoon, however, the fury which spilled from the away end was quite unlike anything we had seen before.

There had been some visible signs of dissatisfaction before, small banners in the stands, and the calls for managerial change had been growing louder. This, however, was a veritable mandate.

Some of Wanderers’ younger players looked downright petrified as they walked warily in the direction of the travelling supporters, and a meeting was called immediately after the game which excluded the coaching staff and the manager.

George Johnston came out to speak with the local press and attempt to deflect the blame away from Evatt, admitting full responsibility should be shared by the players for what had happened that day.

While the meeting was going on, Evatt had also said his piece. And he had not held back on what he felt were falling standards.

“We have had an honest conversation in there, which initially the players led, and it is about time they started telling each other the truth,” he said. “It is about time.

“There are some players in there that are underperforming and some players in there that aren’t doing what are required to do, day-in, day-out, as a professional football player. It is your job to do the right things.”

Not for the first time, nor the last, he was also asked if he would consider his own position.

“The minute I think enough is enough, I’ll say it,” he added.

The response to the defeat at Stockport was another five-game unbeaten run including three league wins.

Bolton’s inconsistency seemingly knew no bounds. This had been a side that beat Peterborough United with a late Klaidi Lolos goal and Blackpool with a last-minute Aaron Collins strike, both sparking joyous scenes around the Toughsheet Stadium.

But they were also well capable of throwing away points too – Sulley Kaikai’s late header at Cambridge United earning a point for 10 men in a game Bolton should have won at a canter.

Evatt let himself down at the end of a 2-2 home draw with Shrewsbury, earning a red card and consequent three-game suspension for “improper and/or violent behaviour” towards Shrews captain Morgan Feeney.

And so he was in the stands as he came in for serious flak for what was perceived as a negative tactical approach to the game at Birmingham City. Though the manager protested that at 1-0 down his team should have been level when John McAtee snatched at a golden opportunity in front of goal, reasoning had long since gone out of the window.

It had, in short, become personal. Evatt felt some of the reactions had overstepped the line, particularly at a point when form seemed to be restabilising. Reconciliation at that point looked impossible.

“I am happy to be critiqued for my team selection, my tactics, the way we play, performances, all those things, but it shouldn’t go too far, when it does, I don’t think it’s right,” he said. “Just because we are in the public eye doesn’t mean that we deserve to be treated that way.”

Relatively trivial matters were becoming full-blown discussions. The appointment of a former Blackpool player, Brett Ormerod, as assistant kitman to Craig Rowson momentarily became headline news, deemed a nepotistic move by some.

A moment of calm broke out with a 3-1 win against Mansfield Town in which three strikers – Dion Charles, Victor Adeboyejo and John McAtee – all got on the scoresheet. Aaron Collins would follow that up with a pair against Huddersfield Town in the Vertu Trophy.

Bolton were back-slapping and camera-posing and though talk of automatic promotion had noticeably faded into ‘play-offs’ there was a sense that everything would be just fine if the Whites could win their next game, at home to Wigan Athletic.

Privately, Evatt knew the importance of a result against his near neighbours.

“We are all competing on Saturday and every single one of us needs to get the better of our direct opponents,” he said, stoking the fires for another 20,000-plus crowd.

Yet again, however, it was the Latics who played the day perfectly. Dale Taylor and Theo Asgaard did the damage and calls for Evatt to be removed immediately as manager intensified.

Any good jobs” target=”_blank”>work his side had accomplished in the previous weeks lay unravelled, and questions on Evatt’s future were put to him once again.

“You are talking to someone who just took 26 points from the last 13 games, I find it baffling, to be honest, although I know you have to do your job.

“This pile-on from the fans, and it is a pile-on, is disrespectful and it isn’t what our results… The first four games, yes, this I can accept. I actually agreed with the fans booing them off at half time and I felt really down and low about that.

“But to think I am not the man to take this club forward after everything I have given it is crazy.”

Four days after the Wigan defeat came a rare statement from the board, backing the manager.

“As a board, we are not afraid to ask tough questions and challenge appropriately to ensure that we’re all playing our part to move this club forward,” Sharon Brittan said.

“While some results this season have been unfavourable, we remain very much in contention for promotion. I truly believe in the progress we are making and remain confident in Ian’s leadership.

“His passion and vision for this club, along with the wider team of talented people at Bolton Wanderers, drive our shared commitment to take this club to the next level.”

Those with enough years on the clock might have counted the chairman’s words as the dreaded vote of confidence – but suffice it to say, they were not what a majority of fans now wanted to hear.

The end of 2024 was fast approaching, and it felt as though Evatt had reached an untenable situation as the mood turned toxic. This being Bolton, however, there would be room for one last dramatic turn.