Bolton Wanderers were made to rue missed chances as they picked up a point at home against Barnsley.
The Whites were back at home and seeking to return to winning ways against the Tykes, following back to back losses against Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers. He made three changes to his team, including restoring Dapo Afolayan to the starting XI.
But despite opportunities for the likes of Afolayan, Dion Charles and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Wanderers were unable to break the deadlock against a Barnsley side which rarely threatened. The Whites remain just outside the play-offs and level on points with the Tykes after the spoils were shared.
READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Barnsley - Jack Iredale, Ricardo Santos & Gethin Jones good
After the game, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt spoke to the press and here's his immediate reaction to the draw.
Is there frustration?
“I was frustrated. There are so many things to be positive about with that performance. We have to remember they’re a team that have just come down from the Championship, almost made the Premier League 18 months ago, and basically they’ve come and paid us the utmost respect, sacrificed everything what they’ve been doing and kept men behind the ball and tried to frustrate and disrupt and we have to take lots of positives and compliments from that.
“Against that type of low block and so many men behind the ball, it’s difficult to create really clear cut opportunities and chances but we did have probably two really good ones that we didn’t take, but that’s just the way things are going at the minute. I think we’re all frustrated with the lack of goals and it’s only been this last week.
"I’ve just said that to the players it feels like a long time and a week in football sometimes is, but there’s so many positives to come from the way we’ve just dominated that game.
“That team beat Sheffield Wednesday comfortably at Hillsborough and we’ve completely dominated the game today. No real ambition from them to win the game and that speaks volumes for how we’ve been doing.”
Is there a simple way to restore confidence or do you just have to keep working at it?
“I’ve just said to them it’s frustrating because it’s almost the chicken and the egg scenario. From their perspective, they’re probably saying we need a run of games, but if we don’t score in two or three games, then I’ve got three or four of them sat on the bench that are waiting for an opportunity and want one.
“Also you don’t want to make too much of an issue out of it because it is only a week, it is only three games, and I don’t want them to become desperate or panicky or overthink things. I think we’re doing so much right, so much of our game against the ball is excellent and our record speaks volumes for that.
“Our build phase and how we’re getting it into the final third and the amount of final third entries is excellent, it’s just that last bit of detail, the last pass, the last decision, the last finish that’s been lacking this past week.”
There’s a strange irony you’ve got the best defensive record in the division?
“Yeah and normally when you see that, it’s teams that sacrifice, stay behind the ball, stay compact, but we’re the complete opposite. We attack, we’re expansive, but we control games with possession. I think we had 60 odd today, so the opposition obviously can’t score if we’ve got the ball and then the way we press from front to back is brilliant.
"Our couterpress is excellent, and that’s a team thing, it’s not just the back four or five that should celebrate clean sheets and our defensive record, it is a team game and the way press against the ball high up the pitch is excellent.”
Do you need a break in front of goal?
“Even at the end and the one right at the back post a yard or two out, we just want it to hit Dion in the b******k and go in! It’s just one of those things we just need to happen at the moment just to break the cycle!
“There’s so many things that we’re doing right and it’s easy to point the blame at the things we’re doing wrong but everything we’ve done has given us a base and a foundation to add that little bit of magic on the end and once we do that and click at the top end of the pitch, we’re going to be a really good team.”
Don't miss a thing from the club you love! For all the latest updates on Wanderers , sign up to our free newsletter packed with all the latest news here.
READ NEXT:
-
Individual reasons for each of Bolton Wanderers' strikeforce yet to find goal streak outlined
-
Bolton Wanderers defensive record in focus & why it's not just the rearguard that deserve praise
-
'Plan boom it?' - Ian Evatt explains why he will keep faith with Bolton Wanderers playing style
-
'Turned around'- Luca Connell on Bolton Wanderers reunion with Barnsley after 2019 Celtic transfer
