Bromley 1-2 Crewe Alex 24/25 Review - London Buses

I've probably used this tagline once already, I've lost track to be honest. But, I don't think there is a more appropriate tag for what has just happened in this game. After 5 and a half hours of waiting for a league goal, the Alex are off the mark with not just 1, but 2 goals in quick succession. And not just goals, but a win. And after beating a London based side in London for the first time since 2020, I think it's more than fitting. Here is my review of the the Alex's away win at Bromley this afternoon:

Attacking Concerns

I know you'll roll your eyes at me starting off with a negative, but bare with me, as the rest is positive I promise. The attack is still a big worry. Bromley somehow switched off and allowed both Demetriou and Long the freedom of South London to smash in the 2 goals. The Alex can't rely on such generous defending every week.

Nor can they hope to win many games when trailing for 81 minutes. They struggled to test Grant Smith until Demetriou broke free to bag the equaliser. They still need to find the right solution upfront which doesn't involve throwing all the attackers on. They'll need to find the right balance. But now that they can go into the next week with a bit of confidence, with good headaches over who to select.

From the bench

Early on last season, the Alex often had to rely on tactical switches to flip games around. Well, this time they did the same, as they threw caution to the wind and got on every available attacker they had on the pitch. But my word did those subs step up when asked.

First Joel Tabiner got a much needed confidence boosting free kick which was inch perfect for Demetriou to run onto the bury the equaliser. Then Jack Lankester, who also made an impact after entering play, whipped in a far post ball which a third sub, Long, gleefully nodded home. 3 subs, 2 assists, 1 goal. That's what you want. Now Bell has to find a way to get them in the team for Morecambe.

Set Pieces

Another positive was the set piece Joel Tabiner delivered for Demetriou. Truthfully, they were a big part of the Alex's attack last season and the deliveries from them haven't been great for a while now. But that ball and Demetriou's run reminded me of them at their dead ball best last season. WIth them still a work in progress from open play, if they can find some threat at free kicks and corners, it will allow them to have multiple angles of attack against teams.

Flat

Another thing to notice today was just how dead that game was. There was absolutely zero energy from the crowd, which you'd have thought came to watch a cricket match. The Alex fans in the corner on an open terrace had no chance to get anything going, but that stadium and fanbase add nothing to the EFL and I hope their stay at this level isn't a long one.

Same goes for Andy Woodman and his style of play. They scored a cracking goal from probably their only bit of football in the entire game and then they proceeded to just do nothing after that. It wasn't a pleasant afternoon and for once, I'm thankful work stopped me from attending. I can see now why that ground and club has such a poor reputation in the non-league circles.

Off and Running

I said the Alex needed a spark to get their season into life. Well, they've got one. 4 points from the opening 4 games isn't great, but that's now 3 games unbeaten in all competitions and 2 in the league. It's small steps admittedly and the biggest hurdle now will be to try and get over their mental block at home against a pointless and scoreless Morecambe next week.

But this had to be their springboard to better performances and results. It has to be. Their next 3 games in September look very winnable against sides who sit 24th, 22nd and 15th at this moment. If they can emerge from them with 7 points, then suddenly they are entering "solid start to the season" territory.

Ref Assessment

Jackson was his usual picky self with some odd fouls. But in truth it was a low tempo, low energy game with no controversial moments or big calls to make. Him only showing a yellow card to 2 Crewe players is a testament to that.

Management Assessment

This needs to be Bell's cue to get more attacking and creative players on the pitch. Breckin after his display against Liverpool, Joel Tabiner, Jack Lankester and Chris Long have to be under serious consideration for starting spots. They'll know they can't win games with the starting XI they began Swindon and today with. Now they have to find the right balance.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Nothing he could do for Leigh's goal, but he made a couple of nice saves and came out well to collect high balls. He's improving and I think even his biggest critics would struggle to find anything he did wrong today.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

It was good to see him driving forward at times, especially when he got away a good shot in the first half. He had a couple of wobbles defensively and gave the ball away in a bad spot in the 2nd half, but overall he was decent in the back 3.

Mickey Demetriou MOTM

Captain fantastic rescues the Alex once again. He was strong at the back in marshalling the defence, even if I'm sure he and them would like to see Leigh's goal back. But he came up big at the end to set the Alex on their way to 3 points. They'd be lost without him, as he looks fully back to his best now.

Zac Williams

A quieter game from him. If Bell does switch to a back 4 at any stage, it's hard not to say Williams' place is under threat. He was fine today, but if they need to find space for an extra attacker, I'm afraid he'd be the one I'd chop.

Lewis Billington

The Alex's lack of threat down the right remains a big issue. I like him, but he's looking more and more like a CB and you can't help but wonder if the better choice this summer would have been to move him inside and not sign Connolly, then bring in a quick, attack minded RB/RWB instead?

Max Sanders

Kept the ball moving and things ticking in midfield. He's improving after his Chesterfield shocker, but I'd like to see more help around him, as once the game opened up, he struggled to cover the ground.

Conor Thomas

Again, I'm left to ask what he actually provides and whether it's enough to justify him starting week in, week out. We're crying out for more attack minded players, yet he still starts. 35 touches in 56 minutes of game time. It's just not enough. He wasn't bad today, I just think with the likes of Tabiner, Breckin and Lunt around, they would make much more sense alongside Sanders.

Max Conway

Was lively down the left once again, but you can tell there are elements to his game that need work, such as his final ball, which wasn't quite there. He also, dare I say it, needs to up his fitness, as this was the 2nd game in a row I noticed him blowing hard just before he came off. That's fine, he's still working on his match fitness, but I'd like to see a bit more from him.

Matus Holicek

Another attempt to force in a number 10 and he joins the long list of players to find it hard going in there, joining Rowe, Tracey and Tabiner. He struggled to get on the ball or influence the game and I just wish they'd stop trying to make this position happen, as nobody in the squad seems comfortable in there. Although maybe Lankester could be an option?

Shilow Tracey

It's such a shame. Everything Tracey does outside the box, you like. He's tenacious, wins the ball back, drives at players and makes himself a nuisance. But as soon as he gets into the penalty area, he can't produce. We've seen it for over a season now. We have to be at the point where he's a late sub to help stretch defences and nothing more. 7 goal contributions in 47 games just isn't good enough.

Kane Hemmings

He struggled today, although again I wouldn't class it as his fault. If he got an actual striker alongside him and got some actual service like Long got, then I think he'll score goals. Let's see that first before talking about dropping him.

Subs

Jack Lankester

It's not been a great start to his Alex career, dropped to the bench just 2 games in. But when he was asked to come on and make an impact, he did. And that's what he's paid to do. Should be used as a RWB next week against Morecambe? Or perhaps he can be tried in that number 10 role?

Joel Tabiner

Perhaps no player needed a confidence boost more than him after a less than optimal start to the season. He's struggled for confidence whilst being shoe horned into a new position and it hasn't worked. But the free kick for Demetriou's goal will do him the world of good. Him alongside Sanders against Morecambe would be what I'd try.

Chris Long

When he's fit, he's money for goals. Never doubted that. My question is always the same. Is he worth keeping for the 20-30 games he'll play if he gets you 8-10 goals, if it means accepting he won't be there for the other 20-30? Either way, he came off the bench and made a big impact with the winning goal. He starts against Morecambe, no question. Got to play him whilst he's fit.

Omar Bogle

Put himself about, but didn't have much chance to impress. Still, getting him in back in the squad was welcome. With them light on attacking depth as it is, him and Long being available for the majority of games up until January will be massive.

Ryan Cooney

Didn't have a lot to do down the right when he came on. He has to use any opportunity he can to impress the coaches, as a season like 23-24 might see him on his way. He can't let his game time go to waste.

Overall Verdict

This was a good win. Ending Bromley's perfect record at home in the EFL(ok, 1 game) and getting their first goals and first win is going to really lift the mood of the club after a rather gloomy first few weeks. But it'll only be a good win if they can go and beat Morecambe next week. And follow it on with more results against Accrington and Harrogate. 3 points needs to turn into 6, 9 and 12. Let's get it done.