Crainey and Atherton happy to be eyes and ears for banned Bolton boss Ian Evatt

Posted Sunday, October 20, 2024 by PA

Bolton assistant bosses Stephen Crainey and Peter Atherton were wired for sound during the 2-1 win over Burton as manager Ian Evatt started his three-game touchline ban.

And Crainey was pleased with how their hotline to on high worked out, especially as Aaron Collins and Randell Williams scored twice in three second-half minutes to earn Wanderers a fourth league win in five.

Danilo Orsi quickly pulled a goal back but Burton remain the only side in the third tier without a victory.

The former Fleetwood boss and right-hand man Atherton directed operations, with Evatt watching from the television gantry.

And the duo will continue to call the shots as Evatt is banned for Tuesday’s trip to Birmingham and next Saturday’s home game with Peterborough.

“Naturally the manager leads from the front so it is not ideal him not being at the side but communication was fine,” said Crainey.

“It was quite calm and controlled. You adjust and adapt so I am delighted we won the game.

“He (Evatt) spoke before the game, half-time and after the game. The only thing he can’t do is have direct contact to the bench with his voice.

“But Pete and I were on the radio to him and we got clear communication so we made it work.

“Can we play better? Yes. We demand better as well and we will do that moving forward.

“In the first 10 to 15 minutes we started well with good high intensity to our play. We had a couple of chances and you have to take them when you are on top.

“We want to sustain that pressure for 90 minutes not just 20 minutes.”

Collins had one effort disallowed for offside and spurned two more chances to give Wanderers an early lead.

But Burton grew into the contest and Mason Bennett, almost on the goal line, somehow failed to turn in a shot from team-mate Tomas Kalinauskas.

Just past the hour Bolton went in front as Burton became embroiled in a defensive muddle and Collins took advantage. Two minutes later Williams also registered his first league goal of the campaign, beating Harry Isted with a low shot.

Brewers boss Mark Robinson said: “Just one moment cost us (the first goal) and it is difficult because you don’t work on that on the training ground.

“You have to stay switched on against good players. To concede the second one straight away made it harder.

“But I admired how the boys came straight back in it.”

On his team’s search for a maiden win, Robinson added: “We have to find a way.

“We have to mix the resilience we had today and not make the errors.

“We are not getting carved open because of the style of play. In every game it is moments and we have to work hard to put those moments in our favour.”