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It wasn’t quite the perfect start to the year – but victory against Burton Albion was still enough to allow Ian Evatt to raise a toast to his promotion-chasing Wanderers.
A fourth win on the spin kept Bolton second in the table with a game in hand on leaders Portsmouth, who kept their noses in front with a home win against Stevenage.
Wanderers rained 21 shots on the Brewers goal but it took visiting defender Jasper Moon to put the ball into his own net at the start of the second half to make the difference.
“It was a good start to the year but obviously the score-line makes it feel tighter than the game actually was – as 1-0 games go it was about as dominant as you’ll see,” Evatt said.
“It was frustrating that we didn’t add to our tally. I did feel we lacked a little zest but that is understandable with four games in a really busy period.
“The players have applied themselves so well, dug deep and managed to win the game, which is great.”
Wanderers turn their attention to the FA Cup next weekend and travel to Premier League Luton Town in fine form after racking up a 100 per cent record over the festive period.
“I know being an ex-player it is a really difficult thing to do, win all the Christmas games. I don’t think there will be many sides in the pyramid that manage it, so I am really pleased,” he said.
“We were really comfortable, probably deserved a bigger margin of victory.
“First half was a bit of a pantomime. We could have dealt with that a lot better.
“It was frustrating and it was important that everyone kept our heads and kept calm.
“We just need the fans to lift us at times – first half in particular I think everyone was flat, the team was flat, the referee was making it that way. We were quiet and to achieve something this season we are going to need everyone.”
Wanderers made four changes to the side that beat Fleetwood to try and keep things fresh, and players will now be given a couple of days off to recharge their batteries for the next block of league and cup games.
Evatt has been happy with the way his players have stuck to task.
“It is frustrating for the ones being rotated, they want to be playing regularly and getting into a rhythm,” he said. “From experience, especially in those really physically challenging positions, a bit of freshness into the spine of the team has really helped us, especially in midfield.
“We have a fantastic array of talent in that area of the pitch. The three strikers have done well over this period as well – Victor has been coming on, scored the other night, started today. Jon was excellent when he came on. Everyone has bought in and they are all applying themselves correctly but I still think they there is more to come from them as a team.”
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