An Important Win: Evatt

Ian Evatt welcomed another haul of maximum points as Wanderers recorded an emphatic win over Portsmouth to stay on a roll in League One’s play-off places.

Dion Charles’ 12th goal of the season set up a quick-fire win double over Pompey as the impressive Whites backed up their Papa Johns Trophy success with a second victory in three league games.

Evatt’s side has lost just one of their last 10 league fixtures and opened up a six-point gap above seventh-placed Wycombe as second-half goals from Kieran Lee and Eoin Toal banished any prospect of a fourth draw since Christmas as the Whotes eased to a 3-0 triumph.

“It was an important win, an important result, off the back of a decent run of form with probably too many draws if we’re being honest,” said the Wanderers’ boss.

“I think our performances probably deserved a few more points than we actually got, so it was important we start turning these good performances into consistent victories.

“I’m pleased for Dion. He’s in a good vein of form and we’ve needed him to be.

“I’m delighted with Kieran Lee’s second. That was an excellent finish and then a really well-worked third goal.

“Seeing a wide centre-back combine on the edge of the box is pretty much what we’re about and what defines us. I was delighted for Toaly. He showed really good composure in the box.

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“It was a good day, but, again, it only counts for three points. Winning football matches is a really difficult thing to do consistently so we’ll enjoy tonight, have a smile on our faces and back to work Monday ready for a big game next Saturday.

“The only slight negative is Jon’s rolled his ankle a little but when Dan (Nlundulu) came on he showed what he’s going to bring to us; a real physical presence up there and good hold-up play. I was pleased with his debut.”

Wanderers stayed level on points with fourth-placed Derby ahead of next Saturday’s visit to Pride Park, while the gap to the automatic promotion places remains at 11 points.

And Evatt hopes to keep chipping away one game at a time as his squad turns their attention to the next test away to the Rams.

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“It’s difficult when you see other teams winning consistently all the time but there’s a long way to go in this season,” added the Whites’ boss.

“We’ve had a really difficult run of fixtures which carries on with Derby next weekend.

“For us, it’s just about focus on the process and the performance level and if the lads perform as they have done this last six weeks in particular and turn the chances and good spells into goals and the good performances into wins then we have a chance.

“But it’s only a chance. There’s a long way to go. Winning football matches consistently is always a difficult thing to do.

“The most important thing is we keep the squad together, we keep them focused and we go again next Saturday.”

 

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