Bolton Wanderers 4-1 Blackpool: Ian Evatt’s post-match analysis
The Bolton manager was giving the local press his appraisal of a disappointing afternoon while waiting to talk with match referee Josh Smith.
Bolton had taken the lead thanks to an early goal from George Thomason, but the Seasiders responded with goals from Jake Beesley and Marvin Ekpiteta before halftime.
After Santos was sent off for a foul on Kyle Joseph, Beesley scored the third goal from the penalty spot. Jordan Gabriel then completed the scoring with the fourth.
The focus of the discussion, at least from Bolton’s point of view, was the referee’s actions following the final whistle.
Evatt remarked, “I obviously have to be very careful with what I say.” “We took the lead, were winning, and had the better of the first half of the match until we handed up a free kick that was never called for a foul. Never a mistake.
But we can’t hold the referee accountable for the way we handled our defense. We are responsible for that.
“The second one was another transition switch-off, and we were behind 2-1. After that, we had two extremely good opportunities to score from two yards out in front of the goal. Two connections. They alter the game’s entire dynamic and perception.
“In the second half, we continued to probe, but today’s only real threats to us came from set plays or transitions. We were in charge.
“The game is over after the sending-off and third-quarter penalty.
In my opinion, neither a penalty nor a foul has been committed. However, it’s unquestionably not a red card.
Whether he caught the ball or not, no one can argue that he didn’t go for it. That double jeopardy rule is the law.
“It is not a foul, even if it ends up 3-1, which was the referee’s error. He is unable to let him go. It would not have eliminated our chances.
“I found the entire performance from
“You observe outcomes elsewhere. This is just one setback, but it does happen. All that is changed is that although things are still great, this makes them a little more difficult.
Evatt expressed regret for the outcome to the packed away crowd and said he hoped a victory at Wigan Athletic in midweek would set things right.
However, he believed that before Santos was sent off, the points were still up for grabs despite some shoddy defending in the first half.
“We were in control and we played well in the second half,” he stated. They didn’t contribute anything to the overall play; instead, we were the ones asking pointed questions throughout their turnovers, transitions, and set plays. Overall, I felt the performance was passable and could have been better.
“That choice altered everything just as we were starting.” Even then, we were in control, but the fourth goal was lost due to a set play error.
We sincerely apologize to our followers who traveled to see the outcome; it is quite upsetting. We have a fantastic opportunity on Tuesday to make amends.
After the final whistle, Evatt stated that he was working with his backroom to properly examine the situation and to calmly address the officials, but that Santos would undoubtedly be able to challenge any potential ban.
“The referee won’t talk to me, even though I asked nicely,” the man stated. I’ll wait for the allotted thirty minutes.
“I am attempting not to make a big deal out of this because there is nothing we can do to change it, but it wasn’t just that decision—there were many.
“We are responsible for our own actions. We must play better defense even though the first goal wasn’t the result of a foul. The third is a turnover, and we put ourselves in danger by making poor choices.
I don’t know where to go with it or what to do; I’m at my wits’ end. It is killing my passion for the game because, although we feel like we are getting the better end of the deal, I want to fight for the players and fans.
