Bolton Wanderers picked up their first win of 2022 with a much needed 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town.
Wanderers had not won since late November and had been on a five-match losing streak in all competitions prior to this encounter.
They took the lead after the break when Kieran Lee struck to slot home after Aaron Morley's shot was saved by Christian Walton.
READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Ipswich - Morley impresses as Jones and Fossey link up well
And Bolton made the result secure when Dapo Afolayan came off the bench to latch onto George Edmundson's poor backpass to slot home and ensure Wanderers have done the double over the Tractor Boys this season.
After the game, Ian Evatt spoke to the media and here's his immediate reaction to the victory.
Lots of positives, the biggest of all being the win?
“Yeah that helps. I think we’ve suffered for a long, long time now and we all needed and wanted that result today. I thought it was a really good game of football. I think they’re a really good team, really well coached, but I think our change in shape really helped us.
“I asked them before the game to whatever we did, do it together and as a unit. I thought we defended as a unit and we attacked as a unit.
"But these good quality games are going to ebb and flow, and the pleasing thing for me today was we looked really compact and solid when they were having their moments and then eventually we took the chances when we got ours and that was the difference.”
Two players on their debuts - Aaron Morley and James Trafford?
“I’m delighted for both of them. They’re two young lads and if you take Kieran Lee out of that team, that’s a really young team. James is 19 and to step into a pressure game and a good quality game with a big crowd, I thought he was excellent.
"Everything he did was really solid and Aaron just has quality. He just sees pictures and passes. The way he scans and he’s only going to get better and better.
“We haven’t had long to work on that shape and we’re going to get better in it, especially in possession, but I thought the way we attacked with numbers and defended with numbers was excellent today and I think the first goal was a really well worked goal and a good move.”
Was it a big call to put Dapo Afolayan on the bench?
“They’re always big calls and Dapo is an excellent player and I think what we’re trying to do here is get a competitive squad, have some quality and some depth and Dapo has to accept that.
“This isn’t the Dapo Afolayan show, this is about Bolton and that badge on the front that we’re all playing for and he has to accept when he’s left out and I’m really pleased for him that he came on and made a difference and got the goal.”
Is there any update on the couple of players that you’re in for?
“Not as yet. Things are progressing. We’re hopeful to have some business finished by the end of next week, but for now, we’re going to enjoy tonight because it’s been a long time waiting.”
You did suggested the incomings that were already here would make a difference and it looked that way?
“Yeah, I’d like to thing I know what I’m doing and some Bolton fans might not think so the last couple of months! Each to their own, I even got it in the neck driving here this morning! But this is a journey for the entire football club and this result doesn’t change things and it doesn't all of a sudden make us a good team again.
“I don’t think we ever became a bad team, I just think we’ve had moments in games but we’ve suffered in both boxes and today we defended our box really well and scored us the goals that got us the win.
“But there’s a long, long way to go in this journey. There’s players going to come in and go out and we must remember the ones that have done a great job for us like Eoin and Antoni and people like that, but this is the next stage of our development.
"We’re bringing in some players, some young ones who have very good technique, very good ability, good energy, young players who are willing to learn and we’re going to have to go through some sticky patches as we’ve done and it’s been an extended sticky patch, I understand that, but we’re delighted with the result, we’re confident with what we’re doing and that’s the first building block and the first step on a new journey hopefully.”
