Evatt | We Need The Backing

Ian Evatt post-match applause Crawley

Ian Evatt wants his team to grasp the opportunity they have created – with the backing of the fans, writes Pete Oliver.

The Whites’ supporters have played a big part in helping Evatt’s men overcome a sticky start to the season with big back-to-back wins over Reading and Crawley Town.

But Evatt – and the club – are concerned over online abuse being directed at some players and wants that to stop as his side looks to complete the hat-trick at Northampton Town on Tuesday night.

“The vast majority of people involved in this football club all want the same thing,” insisted the Wanderers’ boss.

“It's important we stay on the right line and the right side of that. We're doing our best and doing our bit as best we can. We understand the start of this season hasn't been as smooth as we all wanted it to be, but we have picked up of late and we need the backing of the fan base, it's simple as that.

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Ian Evatt dug-out Crawley

“We've largely got that but if we can try to eradicate some of the personal abuse I think it will help everybody. Players, the staff, myself - we all have our own health and well-being we need to take care of.

“I think it's only right that we take critique, as long as it stays as critique and not spill over to the personal stuff. The fact I'm having to say this after a win probably speaks volumes. We're all trying our best. We love working for this football club I love managing this football club and hopefully we can continue to get good results.”

Wanderers face Northampton and then Shrewsbury Town on Saturday (as well as Aston Villa in the EFL Trophy) before an international break.

Maximum points could get them close to a top-six spot with less than 10 games played with the Whites looking to keep their revival going at the Sixfields Stadium in their third away game in seven days.

Evatt adopted a slightly different approach at Crawley to cope with the after-affects of their Carabao Cup tie at Arsenal and the move paid off as goals from Kyle Dempsey and John McAtee secured a second away league win of the season.

"We have the opportunity with two more games this week to continue that progress."
Ian Evatt

“We did what we had to do,” added Evatt. “It was a really important three points and we've got two really big games coming up which can put us back in amongst where we want to be.

“The most important thing is a win and any away win is tough. We're pleased that we managed to do that and now we have to get ready for another long-distance travel and a really tough away game on Tuesday night.

“It's a demanding league and we've had some travel demands put on us but it's part of football and we'll enjoy it. We get the chance to prepare the right way from the Board, which always supports us and back us with that, and that was important given the result on Saturday.

“Again, we will be travelling down today (Monday) to make sure we are prepared properly to take it to Northampton tomorrow night and hopefully get three points.

“We know football is a game that once you think you've cracked it can come back and bite you on the backside. We're still trying to find our full confidence levels and our full fluidity. It had taken a bit of a hit, so from the moment after the game on Saturday it's just about small steps forwards in the right direction.

“We've had two of those now and we have the opportunity with two more games this week to continue that progress. But we’re not taking anything lightly. We know Tuesday is going to be a tough game and we have to be ready for it.”

Wanderers will be boosted for the trip to Town – 17th in the table after two wins and two draws from their opening seven games – by the return to fitness of attacking midfielder Klaidi Lolos for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury on the opening day of the season.

Watch the manager's full pre-match interview on Wanderers TV HERE

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