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Ian Evatt hopes his Wanderers side can play without fear when they host Championship side Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup second round tonight.
Michael Carrick’s side finished fourth in the second tier last season but have had a tough start to the new campaign, taking just one point from their opening four fixtures.
Evatt knows it will not be easy against the North East club but hopes his side can rise to the occasion and give a good account of themselves.
“It will be tough,” he said. We have got a tough run of games, but it is tough for them as well.
“I think they are a really good team. They have obviously had a rough start and I think Michael will be desperate to get a win.
“They have got a really good squad of players and it is a free hit for us to try and win the game.”
Evatt is pleased to have options to rotate his squad after a demanding trip to Burton, which finished 1-1 after Dion Charles cancelled out Mark Helm’s opener.
The visit of Derby on Saturday afternoon will also be in the back of the manager’s mind as Wanderers aim to build on their start to the season.
Eoin Toal is back available after picking up an injury while on international duty with Northern Ireland over the summer that saw him miss the entirety of pre-season.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is also keen to get minutes under his belt after he was an unused substitute at the Pirelli Stadium.
“We have got a really good squad of players and we might to utilise some of the squad,” the boss continued.
“Fortunately for us, Eoin Toal is back available and Jon is back, so it is a competitive squad. We just have to keep pushing on.
“We know it is early days and we have had a decent start. Averaging two points per game is okay, it usually gets you promoted.
“We know we can do better than last week, and definitely better than (against Burton), but it is not through a lack of trying.”
Some supporters voiced their frustrations after the Burton draw, and Evatt hopes the fan base can get behind the team as they aim to book their place in the third round.
“We have worked really hard to build a good squad,” he stated. “I believe the squad and the team needs supporting.
“Some of the remarks (at Burton) have been absolutely outrageous. Some of the stuff the players are having to put with and some of the stuff I am having to put up with on the sidelines is not acceptable, in my opinion.
“We will just keep our heads down, work hard and carry on.”
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