Attempting to add some fresh impetus to the promotion push, Ian Evatt had instructed his players to ignore some of the outside noise which may have become a distraction in recent weeks.The Bolton boss conceded his own failings on that front – particularly in the light of some much-debated refereeing decisions and his own ongoing disciplinary charge with the Football Association.Incredible toothbrush is all the rage in NigeriaIncredible toothbrush is all the rage in NigeriaTeeth Care | SponsoredBut even as the team bus waited for the players and staff to board at the Toughsheet Stadium, Evatt discussed the m
essage he had issued to the squad that morning; focus on the journey and not the destination.Wanderers are three points behind second-placed Derby County and play the first of two games in hand they currently hold on the Rams at the Abbey Stadium.Evatt had reflected after Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Charlton Athletic – and Derby’s 90th minute winner against Stevenage – that “it feels like the world is against us at the moment.”A few days later, he was keen to shift the attention to preparation for arguably his side’s biggest game of the season so far.“We have had a really good chat and I think it is about focussing on today, not even tomorrow, just be really good today,” the manager said. “Everything we do, whether it is on the grass, in the meeting room, myself and the coaching staff – what we give to the players, all their own individual responsibilities, just make sure they are good, today. Take care of tom
orrow, tomorrow.“That has to be our mindset from here on in. There is no point looking at others, no point feeling sorry for ourselves over refereeing decisions – and I know I am probably the biggest culprit for that – we just have to focus on what we can control.“I feel like we came in this morning and now have a fresh mindset to do that.”Saturday’s result against Charlton – and in particular the defending for the visitors’ opening two goals – has sent ripples of concern around the fanbase.Though Wanderers crafted three excellent goals and maintained a six-game unbeaten run, the inability to kill off a side that had not won a game since November did not go down well in most quarters.Evatt is keen to move on.“When you score three goals at home and concede an xG of 0.44
, you should really win the game,” he said. “That is a disappointment, however, these things happen. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves.”If you look at other games, like Derby, where we analyzed the data of the opponents, Stevenage had four shots and they scored five goals in 90 minutes. Sometimes that happens. you. .. .” Now, on this day, we must focus only on ourselves. If we are good today, we reset and we can be good tomorrow. If we have that mindset now for the rest
of the season, we’ll be fine.”Recent leaders Portsmouth and runners-up Derby have increased the pressure on Bolton to win the games they both currently have. clubs.Evatt remains confident of his team’s ability to survive and keep their nerve as they look to return to the Championship for the first time in five years.He said: “We have nine points from our last five games . . . and 12 from our last six, which is still two games and people are realizing that everybody else is flying and we’re not, which is great. We’re happy to be in the hunt.” For us, we just have to focus on getting ready for the
next opportunity, which is Cambridge, and like I said to the players, take care of the day first. “\ nCambridge cruised to a confidence-boosting 4-0 win at Carlisle on Saturday and have often proved a difficult opponent for Evatt during his three-and-a-half-year spell in charge.”If you look at their squad, they have a lot for them. , experienced players, said the manager. “They have a forward who has played mostly at a higher level, which is a big credit to their recruiting team for putting this together.”They have two center backs who have also played at a higher level.\ n”There is never easy, we know that firsthand, but as in all games we respect the opponent and try to give a good account of ourselves to give ourselves the best chance to win..
