What surprised Bolton Wanderers newcomer Chris Forino in Portugal?

It would be wrong to say that the Wanderers have completely put the pain of Wembley behind them, but the blue skies over their training camp in the Algarve have helped them focus on what lies ahead, says new signing Chris Forino.

The former Wycombe defender was initially unsure whether the events of May 18 would affect the mood at his new club or whether he would have to sit idly by while the others worked through their problems.

But almost 50 days after the play-off final and after completing another double training session, Forino was pleased to report no signs of disillusionment on Portugal’s sun-drenched pitches.

“It was a bit of a shock,” he told The Bolton News. “First of all, it’s a great group of lads. But there’s none of the hangover that people will talk about. The lads understand it’s been a massive disappointment but there’s no bad feeling or anything like that hanging over us at the moment.

“We touched on it (the play-off final) briefly on the first day here, but then we got going pretty quickly. It wasn’t mentioned.”

“I don’t know the guys that well, but I can’t see any change in mood. The mood in the camp is good at the moment and that has made it pretty easy for me, Klaidi (Lolos) and Luke (Southwood) to settle in quickly.

“This kind of environment is always good for newcomers. You spend practically 24 hours together, you sleep, you’re in the gym, you’re on the field or you eat together.”

“I can’t say a bad word about my findings so far, they have been really positive.”

Forino had a relatively unique route into professional football. He was released by Brentford at 16 and then by Colchester United a few years later. He decided to focus his efforts on studying at Loughborough University and played non-league for clubs such as Wingate and Finchley.

But out of the blue, he was given a second chance when a player agent friend of his contacted him and told him that Wycombe needed a centre-back for a youth team friendly. That led to a lengthy trial, a contract and ultimately the professional debut he had always dreamed of.

However, Forino admits that his body is still adjusting to the physical demands of League One football and that a week of hard work at Bolton’s training ground felt like another step forward.

“I am very grateful to Wycombe for this opportunity. I had already given up football twice in my life and to be given another chance at 21 was almost a miracle,” he said.

“But there is a difference between here and Wycombe, both on and off the pitch. The environment is a bit more demanding physically and mentally.

“I’m still getting used to things. I’ve only been here for a few days, but the reason I decided to come to Bolton is exactly this: I want to improve on and off the pitch.”

The Wanderers spend their last day in Portugal today (Thursday) before flying home on Friday and getting back to work in Lostock.

Evatt hopes to introduce a more flexible tactical plan this season, allowing the Whites to better deal with the different types of opposition in League One, and Forino is excited at the prospect of taking himself further. “It’s been a lot of hard work, not so much on the tactical side at the moment,” he said.

“This is a new challenge for me at the moment, but I feel like I’m adapting well. I’m also enjoying this personal challenge out there.

“I obviously can’t wait to get back, learn my role and find out what I can contribute to the team, but I’m enjoying the process.

“I want to do my part. One of the things I told my agent at the end of last season was that it has to be the right environment, somewhere where I can learn. That’s a given here.”

“I know I still have a lot to add to my game, but I think I can also bring little things to the team that I already know and have learned over time. Honestly, I can’t wait.”