Bolton Wanderers were held 1-1 by Cambridge United yesterday and remain just one point clear of the bottom two after eight games.
Ian Evatt’s tough start to the season continued against high-flying Cambridge, who went into the game leading the table. After a tepid first half, Bolton almost took the lead early in the second period. Ali Crawford found exciting youngster Harry Brockbank, but his tap-in was ruled out for offside.
Sadly for Evatt’s side, it was the home side who took the lead on 72 minutes. Jack Iredale’s cross from the left should have been routine for on-loan keeper Billy Crellin, but he punched the ball into his own net. The 20-year-old has previously played for England up to Under 20 level, but has struggled in his first proper spell in the Football League.
Cambridge couldn’t hold out for the win that would keep them top though, Ali Crawford found Antoni Sarcevic on 82 minutes, with the Trotters’ captain finishing with aplomb. They could have snatched it too, Cambridge stopper Mitov denying Nathan Delfouneso’s right at the death.
Whilst the result wasn’t a disaster for Evatt, his post-match comments might come back to bite him. He openly criticised the young keeper Crellin, saying: “He cost us the first goal in my opinion at Barrow on Tuesday, maybe the second one as well, and then today. This is me saying to him publicly ‘Man Up’. I’ve had that conversation privately, this is a man’s game.”
Whilst that might be an acceptable conversation in the dressing room, Evatt’s comment has divided opinion on social media this morning, as you’ll see below.
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There’s so many fannys knocking about these days. What do you think goes on in the dressing room. He’ll of got so much shit off his team mates after that. Pathetic goalkeeping. Man up is the perfect response.
— Colin Yates (@ColBwfc) October 24, 2020
Needs to be kept in dressing room. Pretty weak by the manager imo. He needs to be a man himself.. that involves being a human being, taking a player to one side and giving him confidence. Not publicly destroying him.
— Nige. (@nigebeardy) October 24, 2020
Last straw of a failing manager, chucking a player under the bus. I’d say it’s awful but it’s Bolton so absolutely love to see it
— Martin Pye (@pyeman5000) October 24, 2020
Hes out of his depth as a manager. Bolton being bottom 3 after the players theyve brought in is shocking.
— Nige. (@nigebeardy) October 24, 2020
"Man up" is completely the wrong phrase to use. However, the principle of openly criticisng I think is justified.
— RammyWanderer (@rammywanderer) October 24, 2020
Bet the players love playing for this guy. Alls I see is him hammering them every week
— Ryan Brierley (@RyanBrierley) October 24, 2020
A top coach doesn't say it. This guy will never reach top level. Reminds me of John Gregory. Where is he now? Last club was in India
— Montana (@Montana49123766) October 25, 2020
I’m not convinced that’s the right line to be putting out on radio.
— Ben Horsfield (@BenTheHorse) October 24, 2020
He will be sacked soon. No matter how bad someone is playing you don’t speak about them like that. Hardly gonna make the players want to play for him is it?
— Mark Borrill (@bozzatrfc) October 25, 2020
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