IAN Evatt said he was proud of his patched-up Wanderers as they stood up to the test at league leaders Wycombe to claim a pre-Christmas bonus.
Missing several players through suspension and injury the Bolton boss had to name an unfamiliar back three against a side that had outscored everyone in League One this season and never failed to find the back of the net at Adams Park.
A late scramble involving Gethin Jones and George Thomason almost made a good away point into a terrific three – but the 770 fans who made a 350-mile round trip went home happy, and Evatt could reflect on a job well done.
“They gave me absolutely everything,” he said of his players. “Wycombe are a tough team to play against, really difficult, and they haven’t changed much from Gaz’s team (Gareth Ainsworth) – there’s a bit more football – but they are still very physical, very direct, very athletic, strong at set plays and in transition.
“With the bodies we have got out, defensive bodies, the way we defended our box as a team was magnificent. We came here and kept a clean sheet, we haven’t kept enough of those, against a side that score a lot of goals. And I am proud of the players.
“I asked them to make sure that when we walk off the pitch we have our heads high and our chests out and I think we did that tonight.”
The support from the away end was unwavering and as vocal as any Bolton have managed on their travels this season.
Evatt felt the backing helped his players hold on to their first clean sheet since Peterborough on October 26, 10 games ago.
“They (the fans) were unbelievable,” he said. “You can see the effect and impact that has on our players. When we are positive and when they back the players like they have done tonight the players really respond to that. And that is why for the first time in a while we have enjoyed those moments with the fans.
“That’s our fault, our problem, I get that, because of the performances and results but when we are together you can see that we have got a brilliant connection.”
Defensively, Evatt was delighted to see his side hold firm against an imposing attack, winning their fair share of defensive duels.
“I thought the back three were amazing,” he said. “The way we defended long, direct balls, set plays, I thought they really stood up and they had to because this is a team that ask you a lot of questions. I am so proud of the players.
“Before the game we’d spoke long and hard about what type of team we wanted to be and getting back to that type of team, and tonight we did the basics so well and that is something we haven’t done enough.”
Will Forrester led the way for Bolton, winning six aerial duels on the night against one of the division’s most aerially threatening attacks.
The 23-year-old has had a disrupted season through injury but Evatt feels his penalty area instincts were perfect for the occasion.
“I would say he’s our best box defender, when it comes down to putting his body on the line, winning those first and second contacts he is so good,” the manager added. “He has had to be patient, of course, but he is a young player we believe in and tonight he showed what he can do.”
Wanderers host Barnsley on Boxing Day and then Lincoln City on Sunday looking for the results which can help them climb into the top six after a few weeks on the periphery.
Defeat against Wigan in their last home game had hit hard, both in the dressing room and on the terraces, but Evatt feels his players showed their character in Buckinghamshire.
“We have always tried to find a way to respond, this group, always,” he said. “And we have had too many of those days, I understand that. But we have had some good days as well and we have had to talk about those as well as the bad ones.
“In times of adversity – and this has been tough, I said that yesterday – there is always an opportunity to grow stronger and as a collective we need to take that. We need to use it as motivation to understand we can improve and come back stronger and a better team for it. That is where our focus lies.”
