Ian Evatt on quality five goal rout against Ipswich Town

Ian Evatt reckons Wanderers proved they can be contenders in League One by crashing five goals past promotion favourites Ipswich Town.

The Whites ran rampant to claim their first league win in 20 years at Portman Road with two goals from Dapo Afolayan, an Eoin Doyle penalty and others from George Johnston and Josh Sheehan.

But Evatt was unconcerned with ‘the jinx’ which stretched back to 2001 – focusing on a performance he felt was a marker after two frustrating outings against Cambridge and Burton.

“I am very respectful of history but it is about the here and now for us,” he said.

“I said to the players after the game and understand not that we have cracked it, but that if we stay humble and work hard, we have a good chance this year. We do have a chance.

“For now let’s enjoy ourselves, I hope the supporters do as well, but then back to work Monday ready for the next one.”

Asked about the standard of the performance, the Wanderers boss said Ipswich’s attacking style had played into their hands.

“I’m satisfied, it was alright,” he said, before breaking into laughter. “It was very frustrating, Monday night, and our performance deserved that goal tally but we didn’t get it.

“But as I said in the press, when teams go toe-to-toe with us it is dangerous because we are a dangerous team. Now, we might be open and expansive and concede a few the other way but we can score goals.

“MK Dons did, we scored three, Wimbledon did, we scored three, Port Vale did, we scored three, it is more difficult and challenging when teams sit in and play territory and set plays as we saw Monday.

“That was exceptional and some of our goals were a credit to our football club and you won’t see many better outside of the Premier League.”

Liam Gordon continued at left-back after it was deemed that Declan John was not ready to return to the starting line-up after illness.

And after a testing time early on against a mobile Ipswich front line, the youngster steadied himself to play an important part in the game.

“Liam did really well,” Evatt said. “Wes Burns is an excellent player and caused us problems first half. Ipswich have got good players all over the pitch and they will cause problems because of how expansive we are with the ball.

“But the most important thing is that we look clinical and ruthless and can score at will at times.”

Source