Bolton Wanderers boss expecting Charlton to finish in League One top six
Bolton Wanderers head coach Ian Evatt expects Charlton Athletic to finish at least in League One’s play-off positions – and got to see them first hand in action during yesterday’s fixture at The Valley.
The Addicks scored through Greg Docherty and Matty Godden as they extended their 100 per cent start to the new season, their only defeat coming in the EFL Cup at the hands of Birmingham City.
Evatt said: “Two mistakes have cost us two goals. I don’t think Charlton have created a great deal other than that.
“I know they put you under pressure but with territory, more than anything. They are quite direct and difficult to deal with at times. We had a lot of control of the ball and probably better moments in the game than they did – we just didn’t make the right decision.
“We had a four-v-two overload in the first half and didn’t get a shot off. We had the ball around the edge of their box a lot in the second half – and just didn’t find the right decision.
“There are some new players in there and a slightly different system so we have to keep working hard.”
Greg Docherty’s opener came after Thierry Small had picked off a wayward pass by Bolton captain Ricardo Santos.
“That is on me – it’s the way I believe in playing,” said Evatt. “It is the way we want to play and sometimes mistakes happen. We’re not doing it for vanity or to look good, we’re doing it because we believe we can create space further up the pitch that can take advantage of that.
“Today we just didn’t execute twice and it cost us two goals – that has to be a lesson for us really. Their two big chances they’ve taken and we didn’t take any of ours.
“We had a lot of ball and in their final third, which is a good sign.
“I said before the game I think they (Charlton) will be in the top six, nothing has changed my mind on that. They are a different type of team to what we are – they are more robust, more physical, aggressive and front foot at times. There is no right or wrong way to do it, that has been successful in this league before.
“Nathan knows what he is doing. He has improved his team and that was an improvement on what I’ve seen in recent years.”
PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS