Ian Evatt felt Liverpool loanee Conor Bradley was 'excellent' on his competitive Bolton Wanderers debut and believes the youngster now truly understands what is required playing for his side.
The 19-year-old made his competitive debut for the League One side yesterday. He has joined Wanderers on loan from the Anfield side for the campaign.
Bolon took the lead after 25 minutes when Leif Davis bundled over Bradley in the box for a penalty. Aaron Morley stepped up to coolly slot home from the spot.
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But the Tractor Boys equalised before half-time when Conor Chaplin's corner was met by Lee Evans to tuck home an effort which Wanderers ought to have defended better. The hosts were on top after the break but Wanderers rode out periods of pressure to secure a good point on the road against one of the division's top sides.
Speaking on the teenager's first competitive start for Wanderers, Evatt was pleased with what he saw from the Anfield youngster. He feels he will improve in the wing-back role for the Whites as the season goes on.
He said: “I thought he was excellent. I think it was a real big test for him. I think physically now he’ll understand the demands now of playing in that position for us.
“Second half we got into some really good crossing positions and we just needed him to make that back post, but the physical energy that it takes to relentlessly do that is really challenging. He’s going to improve immensely playing regular football with us this season and we’re delighted to have him.”
The clash at Portman Road saw two teams playing similar styles match up in Suffolk Wanderers were backed by nearly 1,400 travelling supporters.
Bearing in mind the opening day of the season took place on a day of train strikes, Evatt praised the Wanderers supporters for travelling so far to back their team. He also discussed a pre-match conversation between him and opposite number Kieran McKenna and the respect between both sides.
He said: "Me and Kieran spoke at length before the game. They respect us and we respect them and it was almost a bit of a waste first game of the season for us to play each other.
"We both want to be full tilt when we play against each other and I think you’ll see a really good game of football, but I thought at times it was really high quality. At times not so good, but a massive thanks to our supporters who in the middle of a train strike to travel the distance they did in their numbers, they sang their hearts out for us and really helped us gain that point.”
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