Cheltenham Town 1-1 Crewe Alex 25-26 Review - Limping

Almost a uninjured squad. Options at most positions. A manager that should have learnt lessons from the last 2 seasons and how they ended. And even with all that, the Alex are still desperately limping towards the end of the season, with a bottom half finish feeling far more likely than them finishing 7th right now, with 8 games to go. This is my review of a late draw, but one that doesn't feel particularly great all things considered.

Same Issues

Bell once again tried to tinker with his team. In came Connolly, Sanders and Tezgel, out went Pond, Powell and Agius. They switched to a 4-4-2, but yet again you'd be hard pressed to know what the plan was. They didn't play with any pace, any patterns of play. The subs were marginally more impactful, but it was marginal. Yes, they got a draw, which is better than 2 defeats. But they were playing a side that is effectively playing for pride and who, whilst being unbeaten in 7 going into this one, are also still 17th in the table.

If you are celebrating a point here, good for you. But the reality is, they've picked up 1 point from their last 3, against teams who are currently sat 19th, 10th and 17th. How are they going to pick up wins when their final 5 games are against the sides currently in 5th, 7th, 2nd, 8th and 3rd? This was a game they really needed to win. But in the end, they were fortunate to escape with even a point.

Outplayed

Yes, by all means reference the Alex's xG and how it was more than Cheltenham's. Or how they stuck in the game and eventually got a goal. The fact is, Cheltenham were the better side for the majority. They dominated possession, had 120 more successful passes and looked far more energetic and organised than the Alex.

The Robins had more big chances and they should have made the points safe when Isaac Hutchinson missed an open goal at 1-0, hitting the post when it looked easier to score. It's a concern as to how they are unable once again to impose anything resembling their own tempo or style on a game for any concerted period of time.

Lively

I will try and pull some positives, of which there are a few. The players, whilst still looking disjointed a bit lost for the most part, did keep grafting and plugging away. Whilst they definitely lack quality in some areas and none of them are in particularly good form right now, they did find that moment of quality to snatch a goal when it seemed like one was never going to come.

They did have some good chances in the 2nd half as well. Agius had 3 sights of goal. O'Reilly had one blocked by the keeper. Demetriou headed over in a good position. In their last 2 games, you would struggle to think of more than 1-2 chances, but in this one they did create a few.

The equaliser itself was pure simplicity, a whipped cross from Powell and a lovely flicked header from Connolly, 2 of the most criticised players in the group and 2 players I personally think the Alex should move on from in the summer. They stepped up when the 'better' players were unable to and that was very welcome tonight.

Confidence Booster

Why the Alex look so bereft of confidence is a mystery. Yes, they were probably pretty fragile after the late collapse against Bristol Rovers and the hammering they endured on Saturday. They were also playing a side high on confidence. But even I will admit, they have to use the late equaliser tonight to kick on on Saturday. We've been here before though, as I hoped the late win against Tranmere would be the catalyst for more good results and it didn't.

However, the favourable games are running out fast. I'd say only Shrewsbury on Saturday and Accrington on Good Friday look even remotely 'winnable'. A bang in form Oldham and then 5 sides all above them in the table are the other 6. As tough as it gets. Still, if they can use this as a springboard to go into Shrewsbury and pick up a win against a side now with just 1 win in it's last 4, then they can take a bit of confidence into the Oldham game. That's a big if right now though.

Closer

I'll end on one more positive. They started the day 3 points off the play-offs. They ended the day 2 points off the play-offs. So, whether you are happy with this draw or not, the fact is, they closed the gap on 7th and stayed 9th. You have to take that as a good thing. But, they have to know their margin for error is slipping and their final run is as daunting as it gets. Results were fairly favourable to them tonight, with only Grimsby's late win against Fleetwood as unkind to them.

But unless they start picking up wins, then their final few games will not be promotion 6 pointers, but dead rubber fixtures with nothing to play for. If they want to avoid that, they need to kick on. In front of 1,800 away fans in their closest away game on Saturday feels like a perfect place to start.

Ref Assessment

Fairly non-descript. A few puzzling calls in both directions, but nothing to get too upset about in what was an easy game to officiate.

Management Assessment

I get that they are doing their best. But if this is them at their best, getting the most they possibly can out of this group, then I'm not sure it's good enough. If they don't want to have to deal with a very angry fan base in the next 2 games, they'll need to get more out of the squad than they are right now.

Player Assessments

Ian Lawlor

Not brilliant. Punched on a couple of occasions when I thought he could have caught it and palmed the ball back to Hutchinson who should have scored. Not bad, but not good either.

Lewis Billington

Quiet at both ends. I'm fine with him being solid defensively, but his complete lack of attacking thrust is becoming an issue. That being said, he got turned way too easily for their goal, as he turned like an oil tanker.

James Connolly

A bit weak for Bickerstaff's goal, but made up for it with a lovely flicked header into the corner, a carbon copy of his one he scored against Chesterfield.

Mickey Demetriou

Poor. Missed a great chance in the 2nd half and his passing/defensive work was spotty on the whole.

Reece Hutchinson

You could tell he so badly wanted to do well against his former club. He was fine and did get some good balls into the box in the 2nd, he just couldn't find a team mate.

Tommi O'Reilly

Unlucky not to score late on, but on the whole he was pretty subdued and didn't really stand out.

Max Sanders MOTM

Better than his previous 2 sub outings. Pleasing he got through 83 minutes before needing to come off. Came close with a brilliant free kick in the 2nd half. He was the MOTM, but it was a low bar.

Conor Thomas

Another dominant display. An incredible 16 touches in 45 minutes. An average of 0.36 touches per minute. Compare that to Sanders, who averaged 0.76. It's unacceptable for a CM to touch the ball that infrequently.

Matus Holicek

Another thoroughly unimpressive game. Didn't notice him all evening, even after he shifted from LW to CM.

Emre Tezgel

Struggled to get involved, but then got zero service. It was good that he also got through 72 minutes unscathed, but they have got to get him the ball in better positions.

Josh March

Like Tezgel, he got nothing to work with. I couldn't complain when he came off.

Subs:

Calum Agius

At least he was on the end of some chances, unfortunately most went well wide. Could he have done better with the late one that came off his knee and almost crept in?

Jack Lankester

Looked sharper playing down the middle. Given their struggles creatively, is it not worth the risk of starting him?

Jack Powell

I wasn't too enamoured to see him come on, but then he set up the equaliser so fair play to him.

Omar Bogle

Another who looked sharper, with his touches and movement better tonight.

Adrien Thibaut

Glad to see him after 2 games of being stuck on the bench. He's not the best player in the world, but his energy and tenacity is missed at times.

Overall Verdict

It's a point and I suppose even after all my criticisms above, it's better than a defeat. But one thing is for sure. If the Alex can't find a win on Saturday in front of 1,800 away fans. Or can't beat Oldham and we have to witness 1,600 Latics fans celebrating in the Pop Side, Lee Bell is going to come under some fairly intense scrutiny, like it or not. It really is now or never to try and rectify their poor March form.