FORMER Barrow AFC manager Ian Evatt has admitted he has found it difficult to implement his ‘Barrowcelona’ style on his new side, Bolton Wanderers.

The 39-year-old guided the Bluebirds back to the Football League last season after a 48-year absence, gaining plaudits for the team’s playing style which drew comparisons with Spanish giants FC Barcelona.

However, he has struggled to replicate his Barrow success after leaving the Holker Street hot seat to become manager at the Greater Manchester club last summer.

He said: “It is difficult for managers to walk in and immediately implement a style overnight. It has to be with hard work on the training pitch.

“If you look at my results at Barrow, both seasons were awful starts, but we grew as the season went on. It is a similar pattern for it.

“We will be stronger for all this next year because we will know which players are fit for purpose and which are not, those we can replace with better and those we can’t. Also we have some foundations laid on the training pitch about the style we want.

“Right at this moment it’s about this group saying: ‘We have 16 games left, how far can we go?’

“This team is nowhere near where I think it can get to. We’re having good results but there is more to come and that is exciting for everyone.”

Evatt’s side are currently 18 points clear of Barrow in ninth.