Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt praised the ‘togetherness’ shown in their victory against Derby County.
Wanderers had been 1-0 down to Derby through a Conor Hourihane penalty.
The Trotters then equalised through a penalty of their own with Dion Charles converting from the spot.
A Derby defensive mistake led to their keeper Joe Wildsmith being sent off, which gave Wanderers a numerical advantage.
This was take advantage of, with Wanderers securing a 2-1 victory courtesy of a Tyrese Fornah own goal, as the ball deflected off him into the Derby net.
“I think it was an excellent performance,” Evatt told The Bolton News. “It was the first time we have shown our dominance against a direct competitor. We started exactly how we should have done, but didn’t, in the Wigan game.
“We were front foot, we were aggressive, we won duels, we played with tempo and we had them penned in for large periods.
“We conceded a goal and it would have been easy for the players to feel sorry for ourselves, it would have been easy for fans in the stadium to feel sorry for themselves but I think the way the majority backed the players today, it was rocking. We went behind and it lifted them immediately.
“We got ourselves back in the game and I thought it was a deserved three points in the end.”
Ian Evatt praises the fans
Evatt has endured a tough fortnight as Bolton boss, including a 4-0 loss at home to Wigan Athletic, a tough draw at Burton and cup defeat to Middlesbrough.
However he praised the supporters, stating that the ‘togetherness’ shown could be pivotal moving forward after a poor last two weeks.
“We have a job to do with the supporters to lift them off their seats, and likewise, when things go against us as they did today, they can help the players recover. It is a mutual thing,” Evatt said.
“Today the togetherness was there for all to see. And when we are like that, as a unit, the players, fans, staff, everyone else, we are a tough team to play against. I thought the way we controlled the ball and managed the game was excellent.
“The sending off perhaps didn’t help us because they sacrificed attack until the last five minutes and people are screaming for crosses to be put in, and crosses, but it is very tough against set defences when I think their smallest player is about 6ft 3ins. We are not built for that so we have to pick our way through and find a way.
“Thankfully we got the goal we needed and the last five minutes was a bit edgy, probably because of the last few weeks. I am delighted we managed that spell and got three points, so on to the next one.”