Ian Evatt wants players and fans to take belief from Wanderers’ top-class showing against Serie A side Fiorentina, writes Pete Oliver.
The Whites drew 1-1 with last season’s European Conference League finalists, who finished eighth in Italy’s top tier.
Victor Adeboyejo’s equaliser 20 minutes into the second half gave Evatt’s men a fitting reward for an impressive night’s work.
And the Wanderers boss believes everyone should have left the Toughsheet Community Stadium in optimistic mood in a first game many Wanderers’ fans will have watched since the Whites’ Wembley defeat in last season’s League One final.
“I really enjoyed that game,” said Evatt. “I know it got a little bit feisty at the end and there was probably a little bit of petulance, but I said to the players we should take that as a compliment, because I think the way we played frustrated them, surprised them, and it was a brilliant experience for us all.
“It was a really closely fought game, really well contested, and considering what they are and where they are it's something we should take belief from. It's great that we’ve managed to come back and put on a good performance because understandably people will carry frustration.
“There were positives from last season as well and we mustn't lose sight of that. We know we let everyone down, but we have owned that and apologised for that, and we don't become a bad team overnight.
“For the returning fans who haven't seen us since that day - and I'm not going to keep speaking about it - I think they will take some good belief from that and will go home happy and pleased and say all is not lost and we're in a decent place going into this season.”
Fiorentina had three players booked late on after Wanderers’ substitute George Johnston had also been cautioned after coming off the bench and making his mark with a full-blooded challenge on ex-Everton striker Moise Kean.
That showed the Whites weren’t prepared to be second best on a night when some of their football was every bit as good as their Continental visitors and a pleasure to watch.
“They were in the Conference League final, so these are a top European team,” added Evatt. “Everyone uses the word belief in football and belief has to be earned.
“You earn belief by performing like that, so we'll take some belief and credit from that, but we know there's a lot of work to do.
“As a spectator I really enjoyed the game and as a coach to go against that quality is fantastic and I was really pleased with the way the players stood up.
“There's progression there I can see it. We know we are light and need some bodies in but we are dining at a different table now and we have to be patient and make sure we get the right ones at the right price. Players are returning from injury, so all in all, I'm satisfied with where we’re at.”
Striker Dion Charles is one of those heading back from injury and is expected to figure against Stoke City next Tuesday night, with Evatt also hopeful that a blow to the knee that forced Aaron Collins to come against Fiorentina at half-time is nothing too serious.
Watch the manager’s full post-match interview on Wanderers TV HERE