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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

'Poor decision making': Ian Evatt on where fault lies for Bolton Wanderers goals conceded vs Newport County

Ian Evatt called for better reactions from his defenders after picking apart the goals conceded by Bolton Wanderers against Newport County.

The Trotters suffered their fifth defeat of the season on Saturday against the Exiles.

Tristan Abrahams netted twice for the Welsh side after the break after being first on the scene to tuck away after Wanderers goalkeeper Billy Crellin had parried efforts.

Wanderers have lost all three of their games played so far in League Two and has left them 22nd in the table, ahead of only Grimsby Town and Southend United.

Asked after the game if there was any criticism of Crellin for both goals conceded after parrying efforts which were later scored, Wanderers head coach Evatt did not believe blame lay at the goalkeeper's feet.

Instead, he called for better reactions from his defenders in both cases and believes his side are not doing enough at present to keep clean sheets.

Asked if there was any criticism of Crellin, Evatt said: “No, I don’t think so. I think he’s saved both. I’d like to see a better reaction from my defenders for the second phase.

"I’d also not like, for the second one, we invited him inside into the box to shoot rather than keeping him down the line. It’s just poor decision making again.

"The first goal we allowed our midfield runner which they’re very good at, they run forwards from midfield, they ran off the back of our midfield, got the ball out wide and then obviously had the shot, Billy saved it, no reaction and the second one, it’s the same thing.

"It’s frustrating because other than the first 20 minutes where they’ve dominated from set pieces and should have probably scored, there wasn’t much in the game.

"We had probably the better open play opportunities, we just didn’t take them and that’s the difference at the moment. We are not good enough in both boxes.

"We are not scoring goals. We’re not being clinical in front of goal when we are creating chances, and we are, it’s not like we’re not creating. But defensively we’re not doing enough to keep clean sheets."

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