Bolton Wanderers came from behind to claim a deserved draw against Championship side Huddersfield Town in their final pre-season friendly.
Wanderers' first team were playing for the seventh and last time before the League One season gets under way next weekend. The Whites will travel to take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Town took the lead in the first half when Danny Ward headed home to put the Championship side ahead. But Wanderers built up a head of steam after the break and deservedly got back on level terms thanks to Kieran Sadlier coming off the bench to curl home a sublime strike and ensure the contest ended even.
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After the game, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt spoke to the press and here's his immediate reaction to the draw.
Initial reaction…
“I think first half was a really good technical and tactical battle. They’re renowned for being a good pressing team. I thought they posed us problems out of possession in the first half but it was a really tight game and not a lot in it.
“That’s them full strength and almost made it to the Premier League last season so it’s an excellent test for us. I thought second half it was really all us. I think we took over.
“Credit to the players as we stuck to our beliefs, we stuck to our bravery. We played smarter, we played quicker, we played through the lines and in the end they had to sacrifice some of their pressing and go back into a low mid block and that’s credit to us. We created so much second half and hopefully we are saving those for next week!
“It just shows bringing these players on now, we’ve got a really strong squad and it’s going to be really challenging to pick a team but people provide different qualities and different games provide different scenarios and personnel and I think now we’ve got lots and lots of options.
“Kieran Sadlier’s a proven point really that he comes on and offers something completely different to Conor. When we’re chasing a game, when we’re dominating a game completely then he’ll help with his final third qualities and delivery.
“I’m really pleased with where we’re at. I think we’ve got lots of work and improvement still to go, but fundamentally I think we’re in a good place.”
Sadlier’s goal was a beauty. Does that give you a good selection headache for next week?
“Yeah they’re all good headaches and it’s going to be tough for me to pick teams. I’ve just said that to the players that I’ve got so many good players now that people are going to be disappointed.
“There’s going to be people left out the squad, let alone anything else, and good players left out the squad. It’s going to be challenging, it’s going to be tough and that’s what I’m paid to do, pick the right teams.
“Providing their frustrations stay with me and not with each other or they don’t spill out onto the pitch, then I have no problem. That’s the nature of football, it’s to pick 11 players and to pick a squad of players ready to win every available game and every opportunity provides a different challenge and they have to buy into it and make sure that they’re ready to play - simple as that.”
In terms of pre-season heading into Ipswich, are you satisfied with how it’s gone so far?
“I think we’ve had one blip really, the Carlisle game, but that can be a positive in that it gave us a wake up call to say that things aren’t always going to go to plan and it’s how you respond and I thought we responded brilliantly today.
“I’m really pleased with our play, no doubting that. Speaking to the Huddersfield players coming off the pitch, I think they’re really surprised at the quality we’ve got and how we play and our beliefs and identity so credit to the players but we’ve got to go and do it now over a 46 game season.”
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