Ian Evatt praised his side’s Christmas spirit as a New Year’s Day win completed the perfect festive period, writes Pete Oliver.
A one-sided 1-0 victory over Burton Albion kept the Whites in second place in League One.
And Evatt was delighted with his players’ efforts in overcoming a stubborn Brewers’ side - which had taken seven points from the last nine to climb out of the drop-zone - to make it four successive wins over the packed holiday programme.
“It was all about winning,” said the Wanderers’ boss. “It’s been a tough period, really hard and physical on the players. To win four out of four over the festive period is excellent.
“It's a really tough thing to do. If you look at everyone's results, I don't think there’ll be many teams that have managed to do that. It has been challenging, it’s been tough but the players have been superb they have dug deep and found a way to win. The effort and commitment they have put in has been brilliant.
“In the first half Burton made it tough for us. It was almost a 6-4 or 6-3-1 (formation) at times and it's hard to break down. We had chances and opportunities but we just needed to increase the tempo and speed of our play and lift the crowd and get the crowd behind us a little bit.
“In the second half we had great chances. We were a little bit fortunate with the goal but we deserved it. No-one can argue with that and as I've said many times, hard work puts you where good luck can find you.
“We had a bit of luck with the goal and then just didn't take one of our many other chances, but it was a pretty one sided 1-0. Credit to them. They dug in and stayed in the game for large periods, but I thought we managed it pretty well and we’re just delighted to get the three points.”
A ninth home league win of the campaign made it the ideal start to 2024 for the Whites, who can now park their promotion push for a couple of weeks with an FA Cup third-round tie at Premier League Luton Town to come next Sunday followed by a last-16 tie in the Bristol Street Motors (EFL) Trophy at Accrington Stanley.
“Hopefully this is a very successful year for this football club and some more progression for us,” added Evatt.
“Winning games makes it tough and makes the schedule busy but we're in it to win it. We want to try and win every game we can so great credit to the players for managing to do what they did.”
Watch the manager’s full post-match interview on Wanderers TV HERE
Main image: Jake Horrocks