"Look at it that way" - Emile Heskey offers promotion advice to Bolton Wanderers and Ian Evatt | OneFootball

Emile Heskey exclusively spoke to Football League World about the promotion credentials of former side Bolton Wanderers

Emile Heskey has told Bolton Wanderers to reframe the manner in which they may view their promotion ambitions, which are becoming increasingly difficult to realise following a slow start to the 2024/25 League One campaign.

After falling agonisingly short of a return to the Championship by losing to Oxford United in last season's play-off final showpiece on Wembley Way, Bolton have perhaps fallen victim to the 'hangovers' which can often follow as a consequence of an unsuccessful promotion charge via the League One lottery.

They were, of course, just 90 minutes away from concluding their five-year exile from the second-tier of English football, losing out in the play-offs for the second consecutive season.

It was undoubtedly a more felt frustration than their play-off semi-final exit across two legs to Barnsley in the 2022/23 term, though, and Bolton now appear some way off even trying their hand at promotion again from the early evidence this time around.

Bolton Wanderers' start to the 2024/25 season

Bolton's introduction to the season has been marked by inconsistency and uncertainty, the latter of which pertains to Ian Evatt's future at the helm amid growing criticism from supporters.

Rightly so, some will argue. Bolton came away from their first five matches with just an opening day victory at Leyton Orient to show and three defeats by a margin of two goals or greater, with the 4-0 home loss to Huddersfield Town putting a significant dent in their promotion credentials.

By and large, results have improved since and Bolton were unbeaten in five before falling to a 2-0 defeat at Birmingham City on Tuesday evening, a result which has moved them down to 14th place heading into Saturday's match against Peterborough.

Bolton have won just twice at home so far this season, a record which must be improved - starting from this weekend - if they are to force their way into the promotion pack as the campaign goes on.

Emile Heskey's verdict on Bolton Wanderers' promotion hopes

There is a school of thought among supporters that Bolton have squandered their two best, and most realistic chances at promotion, with the make-up of League One considerably tougher and more competitive this term than it was when they were competing at the top-end of the table.

That is not lost on ex-England and Liverpool striker Heskey, who wound down his career by spending his final two years at Bolton in the Championship between 2014 and 2016.

However, the 46-year-old has instructed Bolton to adjust any such mindset pertaining to their promotion aspirations off the back of unsuccessful play-off bids, and he believes the ultra-competitive nature of League One would make it all the more impressive if his old side managed to return to the Championship.

"I wouldn’t say they’ve passed up their best opportunities. Yes it’s very competitive now and it’s fascinating," Heskey exclusively told Football League World.

"I was looking at the actual table, I played in the late 90’s and the 2000’s and a lot of them in League One were Premier League clubs. They’ve got great pedigree, it’s a very competitive league.

"If you’re looking at the structure and the way that teams are playing now as well, very expansive and forward-thinking. So it’s going to be very tough.

"Yes, they might have missed that boat in trying to get out of the league at a critical time, but if they manage to get out of it now, what a feat that is.

"So I think they’ve got to look at it that way really, rather than looking at the negatives. Look at the positives - if we get out of the league, what a feat that is because this is a very competitive league.

"As well, playing so many games. I played in the Championship for two seasons and that was tough, especially when it comes to the time where you’re playing Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Wednesday.

"It’s tough, it’s very tough mentally and physically."