IAN Evatt hailed his substitutes for helping change the game in Wanderers’ favour at Leyton Orient.
The Bolton boss was delighted to emerge from a tricky afternoon in East London with three points, after seeing Victor Adeboyejo score the winner less than a minute after coming on to the pitch.
The Whites had been under the cosh for long periods of the game but after bringing five fresh players on inside 15 minutes of the second half, they wrestled back control.
“Everyone normally moans about the subs so it is nice that we got one who scores with his first touch,” Evatt smiled.
“Jordi (Osei-Tutu) came on and showed some nice bits, Jay (Matete) gives us solidity in the middle and he’s a similar type to George Thomason, different to Josh Sheehan, and it was difficult for him today because there was no space. They play with a diamond in the middle and it was tough to play through. All the space was in behind.
“When we introduced Macca (John McAtee), Klaidi (Lolos) and Vic (Adeboyejo) the ball managed to stay up the top end of the pitch and we could get up there too.
“I was delighted to get over the line but it’s just a start, a foundation to build from. We will get better.”
Hungary international Szabolcs Schön made his competitive debut at wing-back, and Evatt is happy to see him adapt quickly to the demands of League One football.
He said: “It is so different to what Szabi is used to, the intensity of the game, the physical nature of the game, and he is going to get better. He doesn’t shirk it. He does his absolute best and with quality.”
Nathan Baxter pulled off a string of top saves to keep Orient at bay, including one from in stoppage time to send Bolton’s 1,200 travelling contingent into raptures.
The Wanderers keeper deservedly took praise after the final whistle and was described as the “best keeper in the league” by his manager – but Evatt also noted his team had created chances themselves.
“Away from home you need your keeper. It doesn’t matter who you are, you’ll need your keeper to play well and Nathan did today,” he said.
“We missed some big chances as well. We had some moments in turnovers, which this shape does create, and we didn’t quite take them. Then there was one big one in the second half with John, great press, and Dion normally sticks them away – it was a bit like last year!
“Dion is Dion. Nine times out of 10 they will go in.
“The pleasing thing for me was the substitutions and how they energised the game.”
Wanderers were left holding on with 10 men at the end after Klaidi Lolos was scythed down by Dan Happe in the final few minutes.
“It was a bad tackle,” Evatt added. “If he skips past him, it’s two-on-one and a great chance to score.
“We have to look at that rule. We can’t be penalised for losing a player because their player makes a bad challenge, gets a yellow, and we’re suddenly down to 10.
“How can we be punished for something like that? I think we have to look at that rule.”
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