IAN Evatt said he was “embarrassed” by Wanderers’ 5-0 defeat at Stockport County.
The Bolton boss suffered the heaviest defeat in more than four years in charge of the club at Edgeley Park, with a number of travelling supporters staying until after the final whistle to express their anger.
Fans chanted: “Evatt Out!” after a stinging defeat which included four second-half goals for the Hatters, who had themselves been beaten 5-0 by Wycombe on Tuesday night.
Evatt’s job security once again comes under scrutiny after a dismal result which leaves the club 10th in the League One table.
“I am hurt, embarrassed, frustrated, all the words and phrases you can use – it’s just not acceptable in any way, shape or form,” Evatt said after the final whistle.
Asked if it was the worst performance of his time as Bolton boss, he added: “I think so. We have had some dark moments and bad spells but, yes, it was very, very disappointing.
“There are always things you can look back on. We haven’t been able to train all week, we have had players off ill, players who have had to have IV electrolytes before the game – four or five of them in the starting XI. It has been a disastrous week and it has finished in a disastrous manner.
“It is not excuses, it’s the truth. I will always try and tell the truth. It has been a very difficult week and today has been as difficult as it gets.”
Wanderers had won six of their last seven games in the league to move back into the play-off positions, and fancied their chances against a Stockport team whose confidence had theoretically taken a hit in midweek.
“I’d say it did come as a surprise, but I don’t think we did anything well,” Evatt reflected.
“I don’t know what the players expected. I was here on Tuesday and it was a similar thing to what just happened to us. We knew they would react, try and put pressure on us, and all we did from the first minute was to play into their hands. We didn’t win any duels, second balls, first contacts, we played short to often into their press and gave them sugar and courage to go and get on the front foot. From start to finish there was nothing about today, apart from Rico and Josh (Dacres-Cogley) who have been the most poorly this week, they were the most competitive.”
Asked if he would be thinking about his own position as manager, Evatt admitted: “I always reflect on myself, look at myself before anything or anyone else. No doubt I will do the same.
“I know what you are trying to ask me. As I said, I reflect on myself more than anything, I’ll do the same again.
“The minute I think enough is enough, I’ll be the first to say it.”
