Amaechi, Bakayoko audition, Doyle injury - Four ups and one down from Bolton's win vs Crewe

A looks at the positives and negatives from a Wanderers perspective from the League One victory over the Railwaymen

Bolton Wanderers picked up their first League One win in more than a month and a clean sheet with a victory over the division's bottom side Crewe Alex.

After a goalless first half at the University of Bolton Stadium, Wanderers broke the deadlock when Amadou Bakayoko was brought down in the box.

Josh Sheehan stepped up to coolly slot home from the penalty spot and give the hosts the advantage.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers player ratings v Crewe Alex as Amadou Bakayoko and Lloyd Isgrove impress in win

And Bakayoko grabbed Bolton's second goal shortly after, stabbing home from Elias Kachunga's low cross to ensure the hosts claimed their first win in the division since the start of October and climb to 10th in the league.

We took a step back to analyse the much needed victory for Wanderers and the ups and downs from a Bolton perspective.

Ups

Xavier Amaechi's debut

It has been a long road for Xavier Amaechi to make his Bolton debut after arriving on loan in the summer from Hamburg.

The winger picked up a fractured metatarsal in the pre-season win over Preston North End and has been on the comeback trail since then.

Yesterday's match was the first time Amaechi has been in a matchday squad for Wanderers since then and he made a late cameo appearance off the bench, coming on for Bakayoko.

Though he had limited time to show what he can do, there were signs on the ball of what he will be able to offer Bolton and it is a welcome addition for Ian Evatt to be able to call upon, given the Wanderers boss has branded Amaechi a 'marquee' signing.

Will Aimson impresses at the back

One of three changes Evatt made last night was in the heart of defence as Will Aimson came in for Alex Baptiste to partner Ricardo Santos in the middle.

Aimson suffered an injury scare just before the break, but continued and gave an encouraging performance in the still relatively early stages of his Bolton career owing to injuries.

His distribution out of the back is improving and his one on one defending is sound too, ensuring Evatt gave encouraging remarks after the match.

He said: "I thought Will was outstanding, I thought he really took his chance well. He was aggressive in his defending, he’s mobile, but you have to defend as a team and I thought we did that better tonight.

"Our attitude to defending was better, we were pressing like we mean it."

The heart of defence is an area where Wanderers are blessed with options.

Bakayoko back among the goals

Bakayoko was given a chance through the middle after being passed fit to play from the start having recently come back from an ankle injury.

It has been a stop-start time so far at Bolton for Bakayoko owing to injuries, but he gave an encouraging performance through the middle against the League One basement side.

But the former Coventry City attacker took his chance through the middle and showed what he can do when he is fully fit, showing bundles of energy and winning the penalty and netting the second goal.

It is a big boost to have a player of Bakayoko's calibre back fully fit, especially with the loss of first choice striker Eoin Doyle to a claf injury.

Back to winning ways in League One

Heading into the encounter, Wanderers had lost four out of their previous five matches in League One as their early campaign form deserted them, along with scoring goals.

Losses against Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan Athletic, Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth had been broken with only a draw against Gillingham.

But some confidence has been brought back with the Papa John's Trophy victory over Rochdale and the FA Cup draw against Stockport County.

That transferred into last night's performance, particularly immediately after the break, and Wanderers must continue this when they take on the Hatters in the first round replay this Wednesday and against Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park next weekend.

Downs

Eoin Doyle injury

Doyle was a notable ommission from last night's Wanderers squad when it was announced at 7pm.

It emerged the striker picked up a calf injury against the Hatters last weekend and was not involved against the Alex last night.

Evatt revealed after the game that he does not think the striker will be out for long with a slight tear in his calf, and fingers crossed he will be back in action sooner rather than later.