Bolton Wanderers began their League One campaign with a point on the road against Ipswich Town.
Wanderers travelled to Portman Road to take on the Tractor Boys in the opening day of the campaign. The Whites did the double over the Suffolk outfit last season.
They took the lead after 25 minutes when Leif Davis bundled over Conor Bradley in the box for a penalty. Aaron Morley stepped up to coolly slot home from the spot.
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But the Tractor Boys equalised before half-time when Conor Chaplin's corner was met by Lee Evans to tuck home an effort which Wanderers ought to have defended better. The hosts were on top after the break but Wanderers rode out periods of pressure to secure a good point on the road against one of the division's top sides.
After the game, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt spoke to the press and here's his immediate reaction to the draw.
It looked good for 35 minutes?
“We were in complete control first half. I think we started the game really well. Our press was excellent, it was intense, they struggled to find solutions, they couldn’t get out and we completely dominated.
“The set play wobbled us and changed momentum, as it will when there’s 30,000 fans shouting and screaming for their team. We got to half-time and managed the game particularly well and then second half we just lacked a bit of quality in possession which is not like us.
“We had the resilience and we had the fight and we had the energy and the work ethic, we just lacked that in possession edge and quality and that’s something we’ll work on, but we have to give huge credit to the opposition as well. They’re a really good team who are very well coached and ask you lots of questions.
“But that type of performance, that resilience, hard work, sleeves up kind of moments, we haven’t really had in the two years so I’m delighted to see that. We just need to now add our in possession intensity which second half we didn’t really show and we had moments where in transition spaces were wide open, whether it was fatigue or anything else or the occasion, we just lacked that composure and quality to execute that first pass but we’ll work on it and it’s a good start.”
Were you disappointed with the manner in which you conceded the goal?
“You’re always disappointed when you concede from a set play. It’s a well worked block and a run around the front, but from our perspective it shouldn’t really happen. You’re given a man and it’s your job to do it, but these things do happen especially against good teams, but it’s just frustrating how a set play gave them the momentum rather than earning it. It was all us before it.”
Overall, reasonably happy to take a point?
“I don’t think how you can be anything but. I think a point away at Ipswich with their spending power and what they’ve bought into the club, the record since Kieran’s been in charge, I think it’s a massive point and there won’t be many teams which come here and achieve that really this season. I think it gives us a platform to progress from. We know we can be better, but what I did see today was loads of energy and a great attitude and if we have that first and foremost, then our talent and quality will shine through in the end.”
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