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Ian Evatt says James Trafford proved why he is the best goalkeeper in League One during the 1-1 draw against Barnsley in the play-off semi-final first leg.
The Manchester City loanee made a couple of important stops against the Tykes on what looks set to be his last appearance at the UniBol, ensuring the Whites head to Oakwell on Friday night on level terms.
Evatt was pleased with his side’s response after going behind but felt they played into the visitors’ hands during the opening 45 minutes.
“I just had to tell them to believe in themselves,” he said. “We were playing to their strengths and we were fighting their fight in the first half. We needed to change things and make sure that we were trying to get them to play our way.
“We speak a lot about the 60-minute mark and how teams fatigue, but I don’t think we worked them enough in the first half to make them to fatigue.
“The last 20 minutes, I thought there were signs they were starting to fatigue. The spaces became bigger and all of a sudden we were dictating play.
“It is just about managing the rough spells and their set-plays, and I don’t think we managed the spells in terms of keeping the ball away from them, which allowed them to make it a transitional game.
“It allowed them to have pressure, territory, long throws and set-plays which makes you feel like you are up against it.
“James made some wonderful saves to day. He is the best goalie in the league for a reason, that is what he does. I feel positive that we are still very much in the game and it is a 50/50 game going into Friday.”
Dion Charles scored his 21st goal of the season after some good work by Randell Williams on the left flank.
Minutes earlier, Nicky Cadden had put Barnsley in front with a low drive that gave Trafford no chance.
“We built an attack, we switched play and Randell created a one-v-one. He won it and put in a great ball, and Dion is in the right place,” Evatt added.
“Dan had a big chance after that as well and all of a sudden we had a head of steam. But I just thought we were a little bit too safe and played with shackles in the first half in particular.”
The visitors appeared to be running the clock down at times, but Evatt had no issues with their antics.
“I have said this loads and I have no complaints to them. They are doing what they think is best to get a result,” he explained. “It is the referees and officials who need to manage that situation better.
“But whether we like it or not – and I don’t like it – it is part of the game now. We have to learn lessons about how to manage that scenario better.”
Wanderers skipper Ricardo Santos played the full 90 minutes for the first time since his return from injury and was dominant in the air at times.
“He is first class,” Evatt stated. “Everyone knows what I think of Rico, he is a wonderful player and it was a great performance considering it was his first 90 minutes for five weeks.”
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