Goals will come for Doyle
Eoin Doyle became the first player to join Bolton Wanderers after Ian Evatt's appointment as new head coach over the summer - and it is quite a statement to attract League Two's top scorer from last season.
In the opening game of the season against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup defeat, the Wanderers striker failed to have any real chances.
But that changed against Crewe and we saw glimpses of why Evatt brought him to the club.
The Irishman set up Ryan Delaney's equaliser, and had opportunities in the second half which were not taken.
Evatt recognised after the match that the goals will come for Doyle soon and the EFL Trophy match was evidence of this.
Miller's promising cameo
Sticking with the striking department, Shaun Miller was announced as a Bolton player around 90 minutes before the Bradford game.
He came on for his debut in that match, but it was against his former side Crewe that he started to catch the eye more.
A ball through to Doyle which cut through the Railwaymen defence should have been put away by the Irishman, while Miller brought Wanderers back on level terms with a sublime strike after a turn in the box.
Evatt has partnered Nathan Delfouneso alongside Doyle for the first two matches of the season, but Miller's performance last night was a reminder to the Bolton manager of his options upfront.
Lapses in concentration costing Bolton
Evatt highlighted Wanderers conceded a poor goal with what proved to be Bradford's winner against Bolton.
And the Wanderers defence was again called into question by the manager after the strikes conceded against Crewe.
Mikael Mandron's opener was a simple header which the Frenchman easily rose highest to nod home, and though Owen Dale's strike was an excellent finish, it ultimately came from a goal kick.
Evatt pinpointed a lack of concentration being behind the goals conceded and it is an area Wanderers will look to improve on.
Crawford's impressive number 10 performance
Ali Crawford is one of the few players still at Bolton which remain at the club from 2019/20's relegation campaign.
The Scot came off the bench on Saturday against Bradford and was in more of a wide role in a 4-4-2 formation.
He was restored to the starting XI against Crewe and occupied the number 10 position, as Antoni Sarcevic dropped back into central midfield.
And Crawford justified his selection with some good creativity in that role, notably putting the ball in for Doyle to head across to Delaney for Bolton's first goal, before teeing up Miller nicely for Wanderers' second equaliser in an impressive performance behind the strikers.
Impressive debut for Hickman
Jak Hickman was handed his competitive Bolton debut by Evatt following his move from Coventry City over the summer.
And the right wing-back was one of Wanderers' most impressive performers on the night.
His energy down the right flank was an outlet for Wanderers, as were his crosses into the box, and he was perhaps unfortunate to not have won a penalty in the first half when he appeared to have been fouled by Crewe goalkeeper Dave Richards.
After the performance of the 21-year-old, Evatt may have a decision to make over who starts in that area of the pitch for the League Two opener against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.
