Ian Evatt believes the pre-season win over Watford and the type of clash it presented Bolton Wanderers will be replicated when they begin their League One campaign against Ipswich Town at th end of this month.
Evatt took his side to Watford's London Colney training ground yesterday afternoon for their fifth test of pre-season ahead of the League One season starting on July 30. Wanderers had played Wigan Athletic on Saturday before taking on the Hornets, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.
The Whites went ahead thanks to Kieran Lee's early strike, which Dapo Afolayan added to before the break with a sublime finish to double Bolton's advantage. It is Bolton's third victory of pre-season and a very encouraging performance against Championship opposition and a 2-0 victory.
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Wanderers begin their season on July 30 on their travels versus the Tractor Boys at Portman Road. Evatt's men did the double over Ipswich last season, including a memorable 5-2 victory on the road last campaign.
Evatt felt the clash against the Hornets was a tactical and technical battle, something he admits he enjoys and are contests he does not fear for his side in. The Bolton boss believes the clashes where Wanderers need to roll their sleeves up away from home in poor conditions are the ones they need to improve upon.
But he has no concerns about his team in this type of fixture. And he feels the season opener against Kieran McKenna's side will be a similar contest and he wants to see more of what he witnessed against Watford in the weeks to come.
He said: “These games are great football matches and I’m not going to say we’re going to win them all, but what we are going to do is show the best of us and I think you saw that at times today.
“I want to see it more consistently but that’s going to be an Ipswich-type game, that first game of the season is going to be a real technical and tactical game and we’re looking forward to it.
“You have to remember that Watford haven’t kicked a ball in the Championship yet so that’s fundamentally a Premier League team and I thought the way we went about our business was really smart. I thought in possession it was excellent in the first half, and out of possession throughout the game it was really good.
“Second half, when they pressed us more and committed more bodies forward and left two for two at the back, I thought we should have recognised that a little bit better and played to the third line quicker. We got to grips with that towards the end of the game but it’s just game recognition again, in game decisions and game management.
“On a matchday when there’s a full crowd we’re not going to be able to coach that from the sides, they have to pick that up for themselves. I’m super proud of the way they went about it in really hot conditions.
“I love games like this because it’s a tactical battle and it’s a proper football match and I don’t really fear for us in games like this. I know that sounds silly but I think this brings out the best of us.
“It’s the other side of it where you’ve got to roll up your sleeves and stand up to be counted in awful conditions and an intense atmosphere, that’s been our weakness in recent times since I’ve been manager. It’s that lesson that I want to see us learn but these games always great for confidence and momentum.
“We’re really pleased with how we played today."
Evatt was full of praise for his players and the environment in the Wanderers dressing room. In particular, he spoke of them retaining their discipline at times where he believes their opponents lost theirs, but stood up for themselves in a respected manner and the right way.
He added: “The dressing room is a fantastic environment and you’ve seen that today. At times I felt Watford were ill-disciplined but our players were sticking up for themselves and doing it in a disciplined manner and I’ve got no issue with that.
“They’re all wonderful lads and they’re a joy to work with every single day.
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