Evatt pleased with Bolton's under the radar ascent

Ian Evatt has overseen nine wins from 17 League One fixtures so far this season

Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt says he is pleased with the silent ascent up the League One table that has seen his side creep back into the promotion picture.

The 43-year-old was under pressure when Bolton slipped into the relegation zone in mid-September but insisted he had the backing of the club's board at the time.

Since then, Evatt has overseen 10 victories from 17 games in all competitions as Wanderers have surged up the table to seventh, just outside the play-off places.

"Our focus is on performing well, playing with the right attitude and hopefully that will get us the points," he told BBC Radio Manchester.

"In terms of the league campaign we've been progressing. We've picked up a lot of points and we're still flying under the radar which I am absolutely fine about - we just need to keep going about our business, keep our heads down."

Bolton take on local rivals Wigan Athletic at home on Saturday with a less than stellar record against the Latics.

Wanderers are without a win against Wigan in almost 10 years, and have lost their past two home games against them 4-0, with an additional 1-0 away defeat last term denting their automatic promotion push.

"We've been disappointed in these games," Evatt, whose side lost last season's play-off final to Oxford, admitted.

"We can't sugar coat it, we've got to do better and be better. Saturday gives us an opportunity to do that and football is about opportunity.

"We've got another chance to start turning that record against them around but also in these big games, which we are focussed on doing."