Bolton Wanderers are on their travels this weekend seeking to move another step closer to promotion with a positive result against Grimsby Town.
The Whites make the trip to Blundell Park to take on a Mariners side which currently sits bottom of League Two.
Wanderers head into the clash having picked up three points in successive fixtures and sit third in the table as things stand, four points above the side in fourth position in the form of Morecambe.
Paul Hurst's Grimsby meanwhile are 24th in the division and seven points from safety.
Before this weekend's encounter, Bolton manager Ian Evatt spoke to the media at a pre-match press conference and here is a transcript of what he had to tell broadcasters.
You’ll know the permutations and we’re getting down to the nitty gritty now - what is the immediate plan and how does everybody feel?
“The immediate future is Grimsby Town and going there and playing as well as we can and trying our very best to win the game - that’s as far was we need to look ahead right now.
"The next fixture and the next game. In terms of pressure, I said on Tuesday I’m really calm. I’m really enjoying it.
"Pressure can be enjoyable because without pressure at this stage of the season at this end of the table, it would normally mean we haven’t done so well and we’ve either got pressure because we’re at the wrong end of the table or we’re mid table and we’ve got nothing to play for.
"We have to embrace this pressure - it’s a good kind of pressure and nothing good in life comes without stress and pressure. You have to have it so let’s just keep going, let’s just go to Grimsby and do as well as we can.”
If you had a preference and could choose, would you prefer to be in the position you are now or be top of the league?
“It’s a real simple answer that I’m going to give but I’d much rather be top because Cheltenham have more points than and I’d rather have more points. I know there’s an argument about being the hunter or the hunted, I get that argument.
"But I would much rather us be top of the league and be top of the league for a significant period of time. But the most important point and part of it all is to be top of the division on May 8.”
Nothing like having a good run to clear a treatment room - how are things shaping up in terms of team selection?
“Believe it or not, it’s clear as day and empty. No-one seems to be wanting to say if they’re carrying anything.
"I must say I thought that the game on Tuesday, the pitch was awful obviously so in terms of the quality and fluidity of the football, it probably wasn't quite quite as would be say here, but I thought the speed, intensity, and the whole game was played at by both teams was really impressive.
"It would have taken a fair bit out of our lads, no denying it, but when you’ve come out of that game with a victory, that boosts energy levels and confidence, so the lads are flying and they’re ready to go on Saturday.”
What is the approach going into Grimsby Town away?
“For me, this will be the most difficult game in the run-in, for a number of reasons, because of the game on Tuesday and the physicality of that game and the emotion in that game and to come away from that with a great victory and such a good performance, that mental switch on of playing the bottom of the league team can affect the players’ mindset, can affect their energy and intensity levels.
"I don’t feel that with my players though, I must say. I don’t think they’re in that frame of mind, but it could be the case. Grimsby, as much as they’re bottom of the league, before Saturday where they only lost by the odd goal and had 10 men for over 45 minutes, were seven or eight unbeaten.
"This is a given and it isn’t a gimme. Cheltenham have been there in recent history and only drew and were behind. I think they’ve gone to Salford and got a draw. They were in the game against Bradford on Saturday.
"They don’t concede many goals, they’re physical, it’s demanding, they’re very direct with long throws and set pieces, what we’ve seen of late from other teams. We’re going to have to make sure we match all of that and then bring our A game to the table.”
Any difference in the early kick-off time?
“It’s good that it’s earlier in many ways because we had the option of the 12 or half past five and we went for the earlier one purely because of the waiting around in hotels. It just means we can get up, breakfast, pre-match and crack straight on like we did at Forest Green so no issues there.”
What is it like when you see such game management like was shown by the players in such a tough game like you had against Salford?
“First and foremost, I’m sure the defenders would say I wish we’d take our chances because it would make things a lot more comfortable and easier for them. But as outstanding as the back four and the goalkeeper have been, I think that we defend as a team from the front and we are a front footed team.
"I have a saying that we attack with the ball and we attack without the ball and that means we put an importance to both sides of the game and you can still be dangerous without the ball and I think we’ve shown that in the recent run-in that we’ve had that we are dangerous with and without the ball which is pleasing for me.”
You always like throwing on the forward players because of the fresh impetus and energy they provide - Nathan Delfouneso and Shaun Miller’s cause of defending on Tuesday night was first class, in line with those who had been on the pitch from the start?
“Absolutely. It’s great that you notice that because that isn’t something that we’ve seen Nathan do too often, but we’ve got a buy in from all the players now and they understand the responsibility to the team, both with and without the ball and to see Nathan do that was outstanding.
"The non-playing lads, the ones that were substitutes or the ones that travelled with the team, celebrated that tackle like a goal. The noise was great and that’s how important it is and you need everybody, including the wide forward players to make those challenges to enable the team to perform and to succeed.”
Does it go with what you’ve mentioned that the coaches and analysts can only do so much and it has to be up to the players to take responsibility for what happens on the pitch?
“When the players take to the pitch, our work is done. All of the information that we can give them, we’ve showed them what we think the game will be like and what we think the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition are and how we can exploit those.
"Then it’s down to them to implement that and go ahead and take the game to the opposition and do what we’re asking them to do. The players have bought into everything and they now understand their roles and responsibilities individually and collectively.
"Once you do that and understand it, there’s no excuses, they’re taken off the table and it was great to see not only Nathan but the other forward lads with their work ethic with and without the ball was outstanding.”
When Gethin Jones says everyone’s coming into training with a smile on our face, does that make your job and the analysts’ job that much easier?
“It just makes me immensely proud. It makes my heart bursting with pride because that hasn’t been the case all season as we all know.
"But this club, this town, these players have all come together at the right time and it is a pleasure to them working, to see how they’ve come together and it’s also a pleasure to see the enjoyment we’re giving our fans and hopefully we can get the job done and everyone can have a really good summer together.
"But it makes me really proud of what we’re doing and what we’re achieving.”
Is there any reason why you feel Grimsby away is going to be more difficult than the Colchester United game from two weeks ago?
“I guess it’s just the expectancy levels and that’s what makes it difficult. Also, they are a physically tough and difficult team to play against.
"But having said all that, they need to win as well, which will play into our favour. Colchester didn’t come win win, they came to get a point and made it difficult to break down, whereas teams that need points and Grimsby certainly need three points - a point isn’t enough for them - that means they have to attack and in that case, hopefully, we can exploit the space they leave by attacking.”
