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Former Derby County defender responds to 'baffling' question and hits out at 'pile-on'

Former Derby County defender and Bolton boss Ian Evatt.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Former Derby County defender Ian Evatt insists he is still the right man to take Bolton Wanderers forward after they lost at home to Wigan this afternoon.

After the Rams pipped them to League One promotion last season, the Wanderers were expected to mount another promotion charge this season.

But Bolton are currently outside the top six and lost 2-0 at home to Wigan with Evatt under mounting pressure from the supporters. And asked if he had done as much as he can with the team he has at his disposal, Evatt said: "You are talking to someone who has won more than 50 per cent of his games at this football club, more than anybody else, you are talking to someone who has just taken 26 points from the last 13 games. I find that question baffling, to be honest, although I know you have got to do your job.

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“This pile-on from the fans, and it is a pile-on, is disrespectful and it isn’t what our results… The first four games, great, this, I can accept, I actually agreed with the fans booing them off at half time and I felt really down and low about that. But to think that I am not the man to take this club forward after everything I have given this club is crazy. And it is not something that I can change, I can just focus on myself and what I am trying to do. It is becoming an issue, clearly.”

Bolton fought with Derby in a bid to secure second place in League One last season, but Paul Warne's side recorded a victory at Pride Park in March and then never looked back.

Warne's side went on to win promotion with the best defensive record in the division and also set a new club record for the number of away wins in one season.

What are your Derby memories of Ian Evatt? Have your say HERE.