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Ian Evatt is looking to switch-up his squad for Saturday’s friendly at his former club Barrow.
The Wanderers boss says he will be giving more minutes to those who have not featured as prominently in pre-season thus far, which is likely to include those who came into the Preston game on Tuesday night in the second half, such as Harry Brockbank, Adam Senior, Ronan Darcy, Andy Tutte and George Thomason.
Evatt has not been back to Barrow when fans have been allowed inside Holker Street and though he anticipates a certain amount of “stick” for leaving the Bluebirds last summer for Bolton after taking them to the National League title, he has happy memories of his two seasons at the club.
“Obviously, I had a great time there,” he said. “I loved my time there and it’s a huge part of what I am today. I’m excited but for me it’s strictly business.
“We want to go there and perform well. We want to go there and win the game primarily but also get minutes into our legs and have a look at other players that are vying for a place on August 7. It’s another opportunity to do that and we have to go there with the right attitude.”
Evatt was happier with his side’s performance against Preston on Tuesday night, following a poor show at FC United a few days earlier.
He maintains that it was not a perfect performance, however, and admits he may never be fully satisfied.
“Firstly, I am a miserable git. I am never happy,” he laughed.
“I am just one of those guys who always wants more.
“Their attitude was better, there is no denying that. And I said on Saturday that I had no fears on that front because when you play against a side from a higher division against a side you respect, I’d expect them to have that attitude.
“We have spoken about FC United enough now, we’ll move on to Barrow.”
Evatt was pleased with the reaction of his players from the weekend, and the extent to which some of his squad self-analysed their performance and where he could improve.
“It is one of the biggest things you can affect as a football player,” he said.
“They all know and understand the game well enough now to know when they have played well and when they haven’t, what they have done well and what they haven’t.
“Going home and asking yourself those questions after every training session, every game, is a vital thing.
“It is their way to be honest with themselves and see where they need to improve. And then you need to come to me to ask how they can do that, or to ask for video clips on certain parts of their game to see for themselves. That data and analysis is always there for them and so am I as a manager and a coach to try and improve them.
“It’s all about not standing still, not resting on your laurels, striving to be better every single day.
“That’s the kind of culture we have at this football club and I think the players have bought into it well.”
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