Michael Appleton: Bolton will provide yardstick test for my Charlton Athletic team

Michael Appleton reckons today’s visit of Bolton Wanderers to The Valley will act as a good pointer as to how far off his Charlton Athletic side are from challenging for promotion.

Bolton are fourth in the League One table and only two points behind second-placed Oxford United.

Charlton have been in good form in SE7 and unbeaten in six matches in all competitions there, winning five of them.

Appleton tasted defeat for the first time since being appointed as head coach last time out, losing 3-1 at his former club Lincoln.

Charlton are 13th in the table.

“I know Evo (Ian Evatt, Bolton manager), he played for me at Blackpool,” said Appleton. “I’ve watched him come through, from his Barrow days to taking the Bolton job. They are a very, very good side – arguably one of the best sides in the league.

“If they don’t finish in the top two, I’ll be amazed if they finish outside of the top three.

“A lot of hard work has gone on. A lot of credit to Ian, his staff and his players. They have got a style which is easy on the eye. Four or four-and-a-half years of work has gone into it.

“It will be interesting to see where we stand, where we are right now at this moment, from being one of the top, top teams in the league. We’re less than two months in, there is a window around the corner but there is also an opportunity for those boys in the dressing room to show that they are more than capable of competing against a club like Bolton.

“It takes time to build. When Ian first went in I think he went on a spell which was very, very difficult for him. The ownership were patient and stuck with him, the fans stuck with him and they end up reaping the rewards for that.

“They missed out last season and they’ll be disappointed they lost to Barnsley but they were another good side as well. If we’re going to aspire to be a certain type and get to a certain level, the likes of Bolton is what we want to do.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS