Ian Evatt was pleased despite his Bolton Wanderers side losing against Carlisle United in pre-season as it illustrated perfectly they will not have it all their own way on the pitch this season and called for a reaction against Huddersfield Town next weekend.
The Cumbrians took the lead against the Whites who were masters of their own demise ultimately as Ryan Edmondson capitalised on a defensive mix-up at the back for Bolton to put the hosts in front. The League Two side doubled their advantage before half-time from a set piece after Ben Barclay headed home.
Wanderers halved the deficit after the break when Aaron Morley fired home from the penalty spot after former Carlisle midfielder Kyle Dempsey had been brought down in the box. But Carlisle restored their two goal advantage when another defensive lapse saw Kristian Dennis add their third which ensured a 3-1 victory for the hosts and Bolton's second loss for the first team in pre-season.
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Wanderers have one more first team pre-season friendly before the start of the League One season at the end of July away to Ipswich Town. The Whites host Championship side Huddersfield next Saturday at the University of Bolton Stadium.
But Evatt admitted that he was actually pleased his side had an off day of sorts during pre-season as it means they must now react to it and learned that he must drive down continually on keeping the standards high with his players both on matchdays and away from them. He is looking for a reaction next Saturday against the Terriers.
He said: “This is probably a bit of a strange statement but I’m actually pleased that’s happened today because we can’t just keep having it our own way. We have to get rocked and then we have to see a reaction and today we’ve been punched on the chin and it’s about how we react now and we can prepare properly for Saturday and tailor the training accordingly this week and see a reaction.
“I’ve learnt lots today. I’ve learnt I can’t really let up on them and let them get away with stuff in training, let them perform like that where it’s lethargic and slow. I need to make sure that I’m after them at all times and they understand the requirements of what it takes to be winners.
“That isn’t just matchdays, it’s day to day habit. I’ve said many times there isn’t a tap you can turn on and off, the tap needs to stay on all the time and if you want to succeed and you want to win things then that’s how it has to be and it can’t always be the staff driving that. The players have to drive those standards as well, so I’m pleased it’s happened today and pleased that we can now dust ourselves down and see a reaction for next Saturday.”
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