Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt predicts a response against Preston after FC United display

IAN Evatt is confident Wanderers will raise their game against Preston North End tomorrow night after a no-show at FC United of Manchester.

Despite George Johnston heading a late equaliser at Broadhurst Park, Evatt was unhappy with a limp performance against the Northern Premier League men.

They face a step-up in quality at Leyland on Tuesday night against Frankie McAvoy’s Championship side, with a sell-out crowd of more than 2,000 expected on the night.

Speaking after the game on Saturday, Evatt admitted an instant improvement was necessary.

“We need to be better than that, if we are not better than that we will get our bums felt, so we must make sure that we are much improved on Tuesday night,” he said.

“I am sure we will be, but for now they need to understand and go home knowing that isn’t acceptable for Bolton Wanderers.

“To be honest, I don’t really worry about that. I don’t worry about them mentally getting up for a game against Preston, but we have to be more professional when we are coming to places like this and more professional means giving the opposition the respect they deserve and earning the right to play. We didn’t earn the right today.”

Evatt has launched the proverbial hairdryer at his players before now but some of his new signings experienced his anger for the first time on Saturday.

Now the Wanderers boss hopes his dressing down provokes a reaction.

“We will see (if they react) because if they carry on playing like that they will get a lot more,” he said.

“I just want to win, and I demand the most and best from my players and I said it in the Stevenage game, I don’t care if they like me or not, because what they do know is that I am honest and truthful with them and if they listen and they learn, they will improve, and they have got a lot to listen and learn about today’s performance.”

The only player spared in the end from Evatt’s fury was MJ Williams, who put himself around in the second half.

“The only positive I will take is MJ Williams because he was the only one that showed any type of aggression and wanted to win his tackles and his duels and do the basics well,” he said. “Other than that, I thought we were poor all over the pitch.”

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