Ian Evatt believes Bolton Wanderers must improve their use of strike partnership Dapo Afolayan and Dion Charles when on the counterattack and find them with greater quality in those situations.
The duo started Bolton's League One opener over Ipswich Town over the weekend. The Whites picked up a 1-1 draw at Portman Road.
Wanderers went ahead at Portman Road thanks to Aaron Morley's strike from the penalty spot, won by Liverpool loanee Conor Bradley. The Tractor Boys equalised thanks to a Lee Evans goal from a corner before half-time as the contest ended all square.
READ MORE: 'Save them for next week' - Gareth Ainsworth outlines Wycombe hope for Bolton Wanderers clash
Evatt was pleased with what he saw from the duo and felt they caused the Tractor Boys problems in the encounter. He pointed to their pressing abilities in the first half in particular.
After the break though, Evatt felt Wanderers did not use the pair well enough and find them with enough quality. He referenced the need to play in to the duo better when on the counterattack and one moment in particular where Charles could have been through on goal if his team mates had found him.
Evatt said: “I thought it was really good. I thought they caused problems, I thought in and out of possession they were excellent. The way they set the press and triggered the press was fantastic, especially in the first half and they just got a bit tired, but we need to utilise them a bit more with quality second half.
"If we’re playing with two strikers and when we nick the ball and we’ve got a moment of transition and a chance to counter attack, we need to play forwards to them two with more quality. There was a time in the second half where we’ve stolen the ball in the middle of the pitch, Dion is in 10 yards of space and all it required was someone to get their head up and pass it forwards and then Dion’s in on goal, but we just didn’t choose those moments well enough today and didn’t execute those moments well enough.”
One player who impressed against the Tractor Boys was central defender George Johnston. The centre half played on the left of the back three and made numerous blocks and interceptions to ensure Ipswich were kept at bay.
Evatt hailed the performances from Johnston across pre-season and his one v one defending in particular. The Bolton boss believed Gethin Jones and Ricardo Santos were also good against the Tractor Boys as he feels Wanderers made a good start to the new campaign.
Evatt said: “I think he’s (Johnston) been excellent in pre-season. I think he’s done really well. Some of his defending is excellent. His one v one defending is excellent.
"I thought the back three in particular were really good. They were well protected at times but not so at others, but we’ll only improve from that. It’s a start but it’s a good start.”
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:
