Bolton Wanderers boss praises his team in defeat at Derby

Kane Wilson’s second half header left Bolton empty handed at Pride Park, and now four points adrift of the Rams in the chase for an automatic promotion spot.

The Wanderers boss insists that if his players can keep up the same standard across the remaining seven games that points will follow.

And though the dressing room was down after on Saturday evening, he remains confident that things will feel better after the international break when his side return to playing duties against Stevenage.

“It is harsh but football is harsh sometimes and you don’t always get what you deserve,” he said. “I have never been more confident in this team, seeing what I have seen today.

“People will talk about the result but sometimes you do need to step out of the emotion of it and really take a look at the detail. If you do that, you will see that it was one of the best performances since I have been manager here. Nobody can deny that.

“We have had large spells of control, large spells of dominance, I felt there was a fear factor in the stadium from the way our boys were playing but we just didn’t get a goal or take that moment. It is hard for us to take but we just have to stay calm, stay focussed and get ready for the next one after the international break.”

Wanderers had more than 3,000 travelling supporters hoping to see their side take a first league win from Derby since 1981.

Many stayed on to applaud after the final whistle, recognising the standard of performance.

Evatt hopes now that the supporters can stay behind the team and “keep the faith” over the final seven games.

“They stayed and supported us because they knew the effort that went in,” he said. “That is what we will always do. It is really frustrating to play that well and not get the result that the performance warranted.

“But there is no panic, no stress, we are calm and composed. The players are disappointed because they know we deserved more.”