Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has called on his fans to build on the “intimidating” atmosphere and level of support on show during Tuesday night’s 5-0 battering of Oxford United.
The Trotters manager was full of praise not only for his players but the matchday support as both those on the pitch and up in the stands capitalised on Oxford’s capitulation, turning two goals inside half an hour into a hat-full by the 69th minute.
While the opening strike from Ogbeta (Bolton‘s 100th goal in all competitions) was a proper rifle with some nice build-up play too, there was plenty of good fortune about the second and third goals, with poor goalkeeper-defender communication and a big deflection helping turn a one-nil lead into three.
However, it was the rousing crowd that ended up spurring the home side to get another two, with the clever team play which led to the fourth from Aaron Collins the pick of the bunch, and Evatt clearly liked what he saw from the club as a whole.
Evatt told club media: “When they play like that… we are a difficult team to stop and I’m really proud of them tonight.”
Speaking to Bolton News, the former Blackpool centre-back said the conversation around creating a real cauldron whenever teams visit the Toughseet Stadium has been raised before and that their aim is to mirror “the most intense and intimidating atmospheres” seen in the Premier League.
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As he saw it: “The atmosphere I asked for before the game was exactly what I got out there… When the fans back the players like they did tonight it gives them confidence and belief and to play the way we want to play it does take trust, confidence and belief.
“This is a collective effort for everybody, and the fans are a huge part of that.”
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The 42-year-old went on to insist, “I think it is the players’ responsibility to get the fans off their seats, and that can be with a big tackle or even some cheerleading. There’s nothing wrong with that, we’re in it together.” Be it celebrating big moments or preying on the opposition’s mistakes, they certainly did that.
Having recently been charged for the fiery scenes following the recent derby day defeat to Wigan Athletic, in which members on both sides were involved in a tense bust-up on the pitch after the full-time whistle, Evatt, his men and the fans will be glad to be back feeling more positive.
Still sat third in League One and only a point behind Derby County who they play next on Saturday, 16 March, their promotion prospects are looking very strong and the fans are clearly helping build a feeling of momentum.
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And not just at home either, where they’re unbeaten in their last six; the Trotters have also already managed a sold-out away end ahead of their visit to Pride Park this weekend.
You can watch the full highlights from Bolton’s emphatic win over Oxford down below:
Featured Images — Bolton Wanderers (via Instagram)
Sport
2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity
Danny Jones
Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.
This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.
As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.
Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.
The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.
Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie.
Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.
Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.
The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.
Together you have raised over £3.7 million for charitable causes, adding even more meaning to those 26.2 miles 💕 Well done and thank you to all those who fundraised and donated! 🌟Tag us in those charity top pictures from last weekend 😍😍#ManchesterMarathonpic.twitter.com/5gsi6NtFzB
This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.
This was a 20% increaseon 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.
With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons.
Featured Images — Adidas Manchester Marathon/The Manc Group
Sport
‘Enough is enough’: Marcus Rashford calls out fans for ‘months’ of abuse
Danny Jones
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has put his foot down in a social media post, calling for an end to ‘months of abuse’ from both his own supporters and beyond.
It’s fair to say that the 26-year-old hasn’t been enjoying his best season in a United shirt and while he has had his moments this year – his goal against Arsenal and stunning opener in the Manchester derby, just to name a couple – he’s come under a lot of pressure from supporters.
Rashford previously came out to address the situation in a Players Tribune interview back in February, stating, “I can’t have people questioning my commitment to Man United”, but now the England international has reiterated the point after someone came to his defence on X.
Quoting a fan who wrote that “the way Marcus Rashford is being treated is absolutely disgusting”, calling the behaviour online and on matchdays in some cases as “cruel” and downright abuse”, he responded by declaring: “Enough is enough”.
I appreciate your support! It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough https://t.co/MUfiU0JwEb
The Wythenshawe winger has already labelled doubts over his effort levels, love and loyalty to the club “ridiculous”, reiterating time and time again that he’s a boyhood Red, but that hasn’t stopped people continuing to criticise him online.
Sadly, while he’s also insisted that he “can take criticism” and headlines when his performances aren’t quite up to scratch, the negativity hasn’t just been limited to social media and has been spilling out into the matchday stands.
Reports of Rashford being booed off the pitch by his own supporters at Wembley during United’s admittedly chaotic performance against Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final were confirmed by multiple sources at the time.
Although he didn’t comment on the response from the travelling Reds at the time, it’s now clear he was abundantly aware of the frosty reception as he was substituted, with many within the fan base and beyond calling the decision to boo your own players “classless” and “shameful”.
We were in the west press box (among Coventry fans) so amid the din after the equaliser and anticipation of ET, the booing of Rashford wasn't as audible as on TV. Relationship between player and matchgoers is broken. In the interests of all parties he goes in the summer. #mufc
Fans play a part in performances! Especially with social media, you can say players shouldn’t be on twitter or whatever but that’s not the point. How could rashford possibly perform when half the fanbase is calling him THE problem???
With seven goals and five assists to his name across all competitions this season, it’s fair to say Marcus Rashford has been a far cry away from the heights he has managed to hit in recent years.
It was only last season that he hit a career-high record of 40 goal contributions, sitting as one of the most prolific players in all of Europe during another difficult season for the club, even managing to surpass club legend Andy Cole’s record.
Just goes to show how short people’s memories can really be – especially when it comes to football – and Erik ten Hag has already urged patience from his fans when it comes to his players, and not just his number ten.
‘The Beautiful Game’ is and always will be a fickle sport but it’s worth reminding of just how much the academy product has already delivered during his time at Man United. Anyone can have a tough season.
Danny Jones -
13th March 2024 
