Ian Evatt has been speaking about his time at Barrow ahead of the Papa John’s Trophy tie at Bolton.
The Wanderers boss said: “Some of the players are still there from my time at the club so I know them really well.
“I know it’s going to be a tough game because I have no doubts that they’re going to want to come here and beat me and beat us. That’s just the way football is and vice versa.
“But as far as Barrow is concerned I have massive fond memories of the place. They gave me a huge start in football and I’ll never forget it.”
And what about how Barrow have evolved since he left, currently challenging for promotion in League Two lying in fourth place?
“From what I’ve seen and I’ve seen a fair bit, they’re a good counterattacking team. They may sacrifice a little bit of possession, but they’ll attack and counter you fast and be clinical when they do so,” he says.
Evatt says he will assess midfielder Kieran Lee after missing the week-end trip to Fleetwood with illness
Kieran Sadlier’s partner gave birth to their son on Sunday and, although offered the opportunity to stay at home, has insisted he wants to be involved and to play.
Amadou Bakayoko will not be involved as he travels back from international duty with Sierra Leone but Eoin Toal will start the game after being on the sidelines recently.
Barrow boss Pete Wild is looking for a big performance from his side and looking ahead to the tie. He said: “We are four games from so we’re really looking forward to the game.
“With having no game next Saturday it allows us to really go after this game and go to a team that’s doing really well in the league above.
“I want the players to challenge themselves to see where we are and see what challenges come from a team who play a league higher.
“After the win over Hartlepool we can take lots from it against Bolton and hopefully we can start well and really get after them.”
Midfielder Sam Foley is expected to be back in the squad after the Hartlepool game came just a little too early.
But Chelsea loanee defender Sam McClelland will miss out until the New Year after he was diagnosed with a hernia.
“Sam’s back down at Chelsea but he’s on the phone to me every day keeping me updated and hopefully we can get him back around the middle of January,” said Wild.
