BOLTON: UNITED RESPONSE PLEASES EVANS

BOLTON: UNITED RESPONSE PLEASES EVANS

The head coach reflects on Saturday's victory...

Steve Evans was delighted to see his players bounce back from the disappointment of Brighton as United returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at home to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

Goals either side of half-time from striker Mirco Antenucci, who was recalled to the starting line-up for the Elland Road clash, proved to be enough to secure the three points, despite the visitors pulling one back through substitute Kaiyne Woolery to set up a nervy finale.

“It was very hard,” said Evans. “People look at Bolton and forget the quality of the manager and individual players they have got.

“But we collectively took responsibility for a shambolic performance down at Brighton. We came back and I was so proud of the players.

“We had lots of meetings which went on for most of the week. Not looking for who to blame, those things don’t happen in a good team.

“We have got a fantastic spirit within the dressing room, from the players to the staff to the head of the football club.

“The battling and the effort got us the points today more than perhaps the quality of the play.”

On responding to Monday’s humbling defeat at Brighton, Evans added: “It’s very easy to apportion blame to players. If you have anything about you as a head coach, you look in first and I don’t think we got everything right at Brighton.

“Certainly, from a players’ point of view, that never happened either. But collectively, we came together and didn’t look for an apportion of blame, but a reaction.

“We said to the players that we had an opportunity to go and get three points. I thought on and off the pitch, from the minute I arrived at the stadium to when the referee blew his final whistle, the supporters were helping us get there.

“When you haven’t won in a while, it’s important that the nerves don’t get the better of you. We were a bit nervous in the last ten minutes and you could feel the tension.

“But it’s nice to get over the line and get the three points.”
 
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