Lee Evans admitted his equaliser was one straight off the training ground after the midfielder earned Ipswich Town a share of the spoils against Bolton Wanderers this afternoon.

Evans equalised with a smart corner kick routine just 13 minutes after Aaron Morley had put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot.

The Town midfielder admitted he was a little disappointed with the 1-1 draw, but promised there was plenty more to come from his side as they started the new season with a point.

He said: “I think we are a little disappointed to draw. Credit to Bolton, they made it tough for us. I think they came and played really well - probably the perfect away performance for the first 20 minutes.

“But we talked about being resilient. There was a big expectancy on us to do well in the first game of the season and then we were 1-0 down.

“I think we showed great character coming back and probably took control in the second half. We had a few chances to win it, but it wasn’t to be today so we have to take that point and move on.”

Evans believed the nature of the pre-season friendlies actually helped Ipswich bounce back while work on the training ground was also behind Town’s first goal of the season, Evans firing in first time after Conor Chaplin’s low corner found him perfectly.

Evans said: “Pre-season has helped as I think we have been down a few times against some really good clubs. We managed to react well today as well.

“When we were in Loughborough this pre-season, we had a long meeting about set pieces and how we need to be better this season.

“How we needed to be better defensively and, obviously, attacking as well. So it was really good for us, as a team, to get off the mark with a set piece goal on the first day.

“It was one, to be fair to the coaching staff, they have put on us on Thursday. It was lovely for it to come off, from a great ball by Chappers [Conor Chaplin], and for me personally, it was about not hitting it too hard and finding the right connection and thankfully it went in.

“It is something we have talked about, probably going more in-swingers from both sides, so it gives me a chance to get into the box

“I’m a big lad and I should be getting on the end of things. It was nice for the goal to go in and then being a threat at the back post or anywhere in the box.”

After missing the last four months of the 2021/22 season, Evans admitted: “Just to be back on that pitch, after such a long time out, and to score was just an amazing feeling.

“It was a brilliant atmosphere. On a selfish note, I have missed days like this. It has been a long few months being out.

“I’ve had four months out, missed the play-off push last season, tried my best to come back but probably a bit too soon. It wasn’t quite right so it ended up being a long time. But it was just out of desperation to be helping the team and being out on the pitch.

“I was so excited for the game today. It was an amazing crowd — they can be massive for us this season. I can’t thank them enough for coming out in their numbers today and hopefully they carry on doing that all season.”

Evans believed a more settled pre-season, following last year’s hectic summer of new signings, has made a big difference.

He explained: “There were obviously massive numbers in and out last season. I think this year five or six have come in. We have been working hard on the training ground, the manager has been working us really hard pre-season, and everyone knows how he wants us to play.

“It is about gelling and I think we will get better. I don’t think we got anywhere near top gear today, but I think it was always going to be like that. There were lots of nerves, energy and excitement as it was the first game of the season — they are never the prettiest of games.

“It is hard to create that intensity in pre-season. The first game is always tough and 20-odd degrees today makes it a little tougher. But for me, I was just happy to be out there.

“It was nice to get a point, it would have been nicer with three. But as I say, we move on.”

Evans’ last goals for Ipswich was the hat-trick against Doncaster Rovers last September and he joked that he didn’t want to wait so long for the next one.

He said: “That night was a wild night, I don’t think I’ll get too many more hat tricks in my career. To be fair, it’s not about me scoring goals, especially the position that I play.

“If I can chip in with the odd one from a set piece, then brilliant. My role is obviously playing in front of the back four, getting the team playing, and stopping goals at the other end.

“We have got goals from all around the team — and even with the boys coming on. You see our bench today, the players that the manager can bring on, especially in those forward positions, is a brilliant weapon for us.

“After 60 minutes, to be able to freshen it up. The five subs make a massive difference. As the manager has alluded to, there will be rotation so you just got to get your head around that. You know with five subs that you’ve got more chance of coming on and making an impact that he wants.

“We look good, we know we will score goals. The chances we had today - give us a couple of weeks and we will be scoring more goals.”

Photos: TWTD/Matchday Images

irishtim added 09:30 - Jul 31 Play Off Push? Missed That.
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Ipswichbusiness added 10:01 - Jul 31 Looking at the numbers from the three divisions which played yesterday, only Derby and Sheffield Wednesday managed bigger crowds than us. We had a bigger crowd than any in the Championship (only Middlesbrough going close). Well done all!
12

Gforce added 11:17 - Jul 31 To be fair, Evans had a good game overall, started a bit slowly, but a well worked great goal.Also had an excellent header just tipped over by the keeper in the 2nd half. The only downside was that terrible free kick,when in a great position, late in the 2nd half,nicely ballooned into the north stand.
3

AlanG296 added 11:33 - Jul 31 Don't be fooled by the goal and header, Evans is all about abysmal lack of ability to hit a stationary ball. Corners, free kicks, we see it time and again. Sooner Ball is fit the better
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Gforce added 11:49 - Jul 31 AlanG.....I agree that Ball will probably get the nod,when fit again.But I didn't think there was much wrong with Evans corner taking yesterday,I didn't see 1 poor corner all game.
12

Murphys_Law added 12:45 - Jul 31 The continuous nagging of our own players on here is tedious and with so much to look forward to with this group unwarranted and unnecessary. Some of you might not be old enough to remember the dross served up by MM under Evans in front of barely 11000 fans sometimes. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but get behind this lot please, it's our best opportunity for donkeys years!

22

johnwarksshorts added 13:48 - Jul 31 We scored from a corner in July🤫
1

AlanG296 added 13:54 - Jul 31 Certainly remember how unattractive Dinoball football was. McKennaball is prettier to watch but will it get us back to the division that Dino kept us in? Failure to beat another side that were like us nowhere near promotion last year and 2 wins in the last 10 for McKenna says no, however much we get behind the players.
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brassy added 20:58 - Jul 31 onwards and upwards coybs
2

cat added 21:59 - Jul 31 Yeah a well rehearsed goal which changed the game, but as most who attended will agree a disappointing result. Big moments missed, usual play acting and time wasting as per…. Need to put these types of games to bed. Early days but plenty to be positive about.
6

Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 08:42 - Aug 1 Evans has passion, and we shouldn't discount that. Not every player has had it the last few seasons...
0

Bazza8564 added 09:09 - Aug 1 Evans Morsy and Ball, if they stay fit, will be a massive plus for us this season, 2 of those at all times and one off the bench and we will have real quality on there. And it was nice to look half organised at set pieces too, something we lacked last year.....
3

Linkboy13 added 09:16 - Aug 1 A player that divides opinions mainly because he hasn't got the skills on the ball of say Aluko but probably contributes more. Done enough to hold his place for the next game. Has a better goal scoring record than Ball who is a more defensive player. Expect both players to possibly be sharing the holding midfield role throughout the season. It's ironic that man of the match Morsy missed a easy chance that Evans would have buried as his conversation rate is better than most strikers.

4

norfolkbluey added 11:33 - Aug 1 Personally, I thought the team looked a little disjointed at times and Morsey should have buried that open goal. The defence looked solid despite the pen. The biggest worry is our inability to score more goals than our opponents. With the fire power we have, the team should be blowing away our opponents. Are the players over thinking? Only the next few games will tell and all we can do is to get behind the team and the manager and get some swagger back in the way we play. Looking at the Lionesses' play against Germany should inspire any player, male or female to show grit and determination to win matches. That match made me feel proud to be English. COYB

1

norfolkbluey added 11:34 - Aug 1 Personally, I thought the team looked a little disjointed at times and Morsey should have buried that open goal. The defence looked solid despite the pen. The biggest worry is our inability to score more goals than our opponents. With the fire power we have, the team should be blowing away our opponents. Are the players over thinking? Only the next few games will tell and all we can do is to get behind the team and the manager and get some swagger back in the way we play. Looking at the Lionesses' play against Germany should inspire any player, male or female to show grit and determination to win matches. That match made me feel proud to be English. COYB

0

Nobbysnuts added 12:17 - Aug 1 Shame the 2nd goal wasn't.....
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Marinersnose added 14:09 - Aug 1 We should score more goals from set pieces. It was an excellent goal. I think the number of players fighting for positions makes for an exciting season. TJJ and Aluko made a huge contribution when introduced. I strongly believe Humphries will be a force this season. His natural ability puts him up there challenging for a start. Football intelligence is the sign of a top player and this boy has it. Yes he's slight but he's a step ahead. There were some very encouraging signs second half. Those thinking it'll be easy will be in for a surprise. I'm confident in KMK and his tactical nouse.

1

Linkboy13 added 17:06 - Aug 3 Yes Marinersnose Young Humphreys looks a good prospect better than Liam Gibbs in my opinion. In his limited time he had on the pitch last season he actually created more than Aluko one assist for Norwood Aluko zero assists and three goals less than Celina's 6 goals and 5 assists but gets more criticism than Aluko funny things fans.
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