Soccer
Matt Lawlor lauds ‘intelligent’ Ched Evans after Fleetwood winner
Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor described the only goal in his side’s victory over Chesterfield in the Carabao Cup as “Ched Evans in a nutshell”.
New captain Evans struck 14 minutes in to seal the Cod Army’s place in the second round.
Lawlor said: “He was brilliant. He drives the older professionals on and sets standards at 37, while also challenging the young lads.
“We can use him as a reference point. That’s how you prepare for a game of football, whatever he does, replicate it.
“The goal is Ched Evans in a nutshell for me – it’s clever and intelligent.”
Lawlor added: “They (Chesterfield) were fantastic and Paul (Cook) has done an amazing job putting them together over the years and then adding some strength in the summer.
“They’ll be right up there at the end of the year with the players and footballers they have at their disposal.”
Cook felt there were plenty of positives to take from Chesterfield’s display.
He said: “We played well. Credit to our fans, they travelled in great numbers, and they’re looking for early signs, and I thought our early signs were very good.
“But we couldn’t get the goal. We lost to a mistake, let’s have it right. We were never really under pressure in the game, but credit to Fleetwood – they won the game.
“Some of our lads still need a few more minutes but we carried a threat and the team has got to grow together, and that’s a big thing for me to take from today.”
