Key Points
- Ian Evatt, manager of Bolton Wanderers, has publicly backed winger Joel Randall amid criticism from some fans.
- Randall, signed from Peterborough United in the summer, has faced jeers from sections of supporters due to inconsistent performances.
- Evatt insists Randall possesses the mentality and quality to prove doubters wrong.
- The boss believes only Randall himself can change the fans’ perception by delivering strong performances.
- The player’s statistics in recent League One appearances show flashes of improvement.
- Evatt reiterated the club’s full faith in Randall, calling on supporters to show patience.
- Randall has responded to criticism by pledging hard work and resilience.
- The story has been covered by The Bolton News, Manchester Evening News (MEN), BBC Sport, and Sky Sports.
Why was Joel Randall booed by fans?
As reported by Marc Iles of The Bolton News, sections of the fanbase expressed frustration during home games, directing boos toward Randall following a string of subdued displays. His recent substitution in the Wanderers’ 3–1 defeat against Derby County drew a mixed reaction, with some clapping him off but others audibly booing.
Evatt addressed those reactions firmly:
“Only Joel can change that. He has to believe in himself and continue to do what we see from him every day in training. He is a talented player, and we know the best is yet to come,” Evatt told The Bolton News.
Randall, 25, joined Bolton in July 2024 from Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee, widely estimated at around £250,000 according to Manchester Evening News journalist George Hodgson. Expectations were high after his promising spell with Exeter City earlier in his career, but his consistency at League One level has remained under scrutiny.
How has Randall performed since joining Bolton Wanderers?
According to Sky Sports, Randall has featured in 18 League One matches this season, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists. Despite flashes of creativity, he has struggled to influence games consistently, leading to emotional reactions from the stands.
Evatt argued that while supporters are entitled to opinions, judging too harshly too soon could harm a player’s development:
“Fans care – I completely understand that. But Joel needs love right now, not criticism. He trains brilliantly, he listens, he works hard. Eventually, the performances will come.”.
The Wanderers boss emphasised the human side of the game, highlighting the psychological impact of public scrutiny:
“He’s young, adjusting to a new environment and expectation level. Confidence plays a huge role for players like Joel,” Evatt added.
What does Joel Randall say about the criticism?
As reported by Manchester Evening News, Randall himself addressed the issue after Bolton’s fixture against Port Vale earlier this month. Speaking candidly, the winger admitted the fan reaction “stung a bit” but vowed to respond in the right way:
“No player ever wants to hear boos, especially at home. But it’s football — people pay their money and they have opinions. My job is to prove them wrong by performances.”
Randall went on to acknowledge that adapting to Bolton’s tactical system — which often demands wide players to press aggressively and track back — has been a work in progress:
“It’s a demanding style. The gaffer wants energy both ways, and I’m still learning how to balance that with what I do best — attacking with intent,” he told MEN Sport.
How has Ian Evatt managed similar situations in the past?
Evatt, known for his strong man-management, has a history of defending his players during rough spells. In previous seasons, he rallied behind midfielder Kyle Dempsey and striker Dion Charles when both faced criticism for form dips.
Speaking to The Bolton News, Evatt drew parallels between those periods and Randall’s current situation:
“We’ve seen this before. Dion copped it early in his first season here, and look where he is now. Joel will come through this, I have no doubt.”
BBC Sport reminded readers that Bolton have maintained one of the highest average possession rates in League One this season, often making them vulnerable to criticism when attacking play stagnates. Randall’s tendency to play direct football occasionally clashes with the patient build-up fans expect — a possible reason for some frustration.
What have other Bolton players said in support of Randall?
Team-mates have reportedly rallied around Randall behind the scenes. According to Sky Sports News North West, captain Ricardo Santos and midfielder George Thomason both offered words of reassurance after the Derby defeat.
Thomason commented in a post-match interview:
“We’ve all been there – fans let you know when things aren’t clicking. Joel’s a top lad, and he’s got our full backing. He’ll be flying soon.”
This backing mirrors the squad unity Evatt has cultivated since taking charge in 2020, transforming the club from a League Two struggler to a promotion contender.
What is the wider context for Bolton Wanderers right now?
Bolton currently sit fifth in League One after 23 games, just outside the automatic promotion spots. BBC Sport noted that consistency in attacking performances remains Evatt’s biggest challenge in converting strong possession stats into decisive wins.
Randall’s role on the left wing has come under scrutiny partly due to the excellent early-season form of Paris Maghoma and Josh Dacres-Cogley, whose energy and end product raised the bar for other wide players.
As Marc Iles pointed out in The Bolton News, the booing likely reflects fan frustration with missed promotion opportunities rather than personal dislike for Randall:
“The jeers were more about the team’s collective dip than the individual himself,”
Iles wrote in his analysis column.
Is there historical precedence of Bolton supporters turning opinion around?
Yes. Supporters of the club have a long tradition of rallying behind players who turn form around. Former winger Sammy Ameobi endured early criticism during the 2016–17 campaign but later became a fan favourite through consistent performances.
Club legend Kevin Davies once remarked, as quoted in BBC Sport Archives, that
“Bolton fans are tough but fair — if they see you grafting for the badge, they’ll back you every time.”
Evatt referenced that culture, calling on fans to show patience:
“This club values effort and attitude. Joel’s giving us both — the quality will flow in time.” .
How have fans and pundits reacted online?
Fan forums such as The Wanderer and social media threads have been divided. Some support Evatt’s stance, while others insist criticism is part of the professional game.
Local pundit Chris Hall, speaking on BBC Radio Manchester’s “Wanderers Weekly”, commented:
“There’s no denying Joel’s struggled to find rhythm, but Evatt’s right — he needs faith, not frustration. Confidence is everything in modern football.”
Sky Sports News’ EFL Review echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Randall’s skill set — pace, dribbling, and directness — could become decisive as Bolton chase promotion in the second half of the campaign.
What lies ahead for Joel Randall?
Looking forward, the next few fixtures could determine Randall’s immediate future in the starting lineup. Bolton face fixtures against Barnsley, Charlton Athletic, and league leaders Portsmouth — all pivotal games in the promotion race.
Evatt, speaking again to MEN Sport, confirmed Randall will “play a big part” in the upcoming months:
“He’s here because he fits what we’re building. Performances take time, and he’ll come good when it counts.”
Fans will hope Randall can emulate the resilience of previous Bolton stars who prospered after slow starts. With the backing of his manager, team-mates, and a club known for its enduring spirit, the winger now faces the most important test — proving he can rise above the noise.