Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt praised his side’s resilience following their 2-0 victory over Crawley Town, but made it clear that higher standards are still needed as the season progresses.
After witnessing a resolute defensive performance that deviated from their usual style, Evatt emphasized the importance of building on this clean sheet while demanding that his squad maintain the same level of intensity going forward.
In the match at the Broadfield Stadium, Bolton took the lead early when Kyle Dempsey opened the scoring just five minutes into the game. The midfielder, who had been recalled to the starting lineup, netted his second goal of the season after latching onto a well-delivered corner from Josh Sheehan. Bolton’s fast start set the tone for the match, and they nearly doubled their lead shortly afterward, with Dion Charles forcing a save from Crawley goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott.
Despite the early breakthrough, Crawley, who are without a permanent manager after Scott Lindsey’s departure, found their footing and controlled much of the possession. However, they lacked the cutting edge to turn their possession into meaningful chances. The home side’s interim manager, Ben Gladwin, had emphasized focusing on the transitional phase rather than seeking the permanent role, but his side’s winless streak extended to five games as they struggled to breach Bolton’s defence.
Wanderers could have extended their lead just before halftime when Josh Dacres-Cogley set up Dempsey, whose thunderous shot rattled the crossbar. Crawley continued to press forward after the break, but Bolton remained compact and organized at the back. As Crawley pushed for an equalizer, Bolton’s tactical shift toward counter-attacking football paid off. Substitute John McAtee, who had been on the pitch for only ten minutes, sealed the win in the 78th minute with a well-taken goal that finished off a swift counter-attack, securing three points for the visitors.
Evatt was notably pleased with the clean sheet but expressed that maintaining such defensive discipline is crucial for Bolton moving forward.
“It’s baby steps forward now, building on this, and clean sheets are always a positive thing for us,” Evatt told the Bolton News. “We know we win games when we can achieve these things.”
“I was pleased with the way the game started, delighted with the clean sheet, we really need to get back to keeping those because it’s a big thing in what we do.
“Defensively, I was really pleased with what I saw from everyone, really, so we need to keep that up.”
Evatt’s approach to the game raised a few eyebrows, as Bolton, a team known for dominating possession, played a more cautious and counter-attacking style. The former Barrow boss explained that this was a deliberate choice, citing respect for the opposition and the need to adapt their tactics when playing away from home. “
It isn’t how I want to play, or like to play, but sometimes you have to respect the opposition and the fact we were away from home,” he explained.
A significant influence on Bolton’s game plan against Crawley came from their Carabao Cup match against Premier League side Arsenal earlier in the week. Despite losing 5-1, Evatt was encouraged by his team’s defensive work against top-level opposition, which inspired him to adopt a similar strategy against Crawley.
“Because we were so diligent out of possession on Wednesday, it gave me the confidence to do that today,” Evatt added.
The victory over Crawley leaves Bolton sitting 14th in the League Two table, with 10 points from their opening seven matches. While Evatt’s side has struggled for consistency, back-to-back wins suggest that they are beginning to find their rhythm, though there is still plenty of work to be done.
Writers View
Bolton’s victory at Crawley was a crucial one, especially in terms of momentum. It wasn’t the most fluid or dominant display, but it showed that this Wanderers team can adapt and grind out results when needed. Evatt’s decision to sit back and hit on the counter was a pragmatic one, and while it may not be a long-term strategy, it worked to perfection against a Crawley side low on confidence.
That said, Evatt’s concerns about maintaining clean sheets are valid. While the defence was solid against Crawley, consistency at the back will be key if Bolton is to climb the table. Evatt will hope that the return of key players and the adaptation to different tactical setups can spark a more consistent run of form for the Trotters in the coming weeks.
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