BOLTON Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has warned his side to ignore Southend United’s lowly League placing ahead of this afternoon’s League Two clash.

The bottom of the table Shrimpers take on the Trotters at the University of Bolton Stadium.

But Evatt feels Blues will be tougher to beat than their form so far this season suggests.

“I’ve watched two or three of the games and I think they’ve been very unlucky in the games I’ve watched. I think they’re a much better team than people are giving them credit for,” said the Bolton boss.

“They’re a young team, they’ve got energy, they press from the front and it’s going to be a tough, difficult game.

“All this that Southend are bottom of the league and they’ve only got five points and it’s going to be a walk in the park for Bolton.

"We need to get that out of our heads straight away.

“We need to give them the respect that they deserve and make sure we treat this opposition like we do anyone else and I know they’ve got ability in the team so we have to be at it.”

Bolton have triumphed in their last four games.

But Evatt feels Wanderers cannot afford to take victory for granted today.

“We’re not just going to be able to turn up and win,” said Evatt.

“We have to play to our strengths and make sure we nullify them, same as any game, so we’re treating this like we would any other game.”