Cheltenham Town 2-1 Crewe Alex 24/25 Review - Boxing Day Blues

Thanks to the Crewe Alex media team for setting this one up perfectly. I told you I had a bad feeling about this one thanks to the ref and the Alex's performance issues on Boxing Day. And so it transpired as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Whaddon Road to end their 12 game unbeaten streak in the league. Here is my review of a disappointing afternoon in Gloucestershire:

Tactical Disaster

Sorry, but not for the first time have the management's baffling choices have cost the Alex points. At Walsall, it was bringing on James Connolly and mixing up a back 3 of Knight-Lebel, Demetriou and Williams, which had been working fine until the change was made and they conceded an equaliser.

Today, it was the bizarre choice to switch to a back 4, which didn't make sense the moment it was made. The team which started the game was coping fine and had restricted Cheltenham to 0.52 xG, was inexplicably switched to a 4-3-3.

It was a disaster in so many senses. It moved Lankester to the RW. Why? It removed all control in midfield. Why? It moved Williams to LB and Conway into midfield. Why? So many questions and no obvious answers. Yes, the players need to do better, as we'll discuss shortly, but the management should take a heavy share of the blame for the unbeaten run coming to an end.

Players

That being said, the players need to do better. Demetriou gets a free pass, but he was poor today. He had numerous poor defensive moments, culminating with a woeful clearance which fell right to Colwill's feet and gave him the freedom of Cheltenham smash in the winner. The set piece which led to the equaliser was also poorly dealt with. The tactics were the main culprit, but the players buckling and letting slip another lead could prove costly come the end of the season.

11 v 12

Oh look, once again Mr Alan Young taking centre stage. For the 3rd straight Crewe game, he was laughably awful. 5 bookings for the Alex and just 1 for Cheltenham is hilarious. He bought all their flops and for some reason ignored at least 2, if not 3, bookings for the Robins. The free kick he gave in the build up to the equaliser never was one, as Tracey seemed to take the ball. I just pray we don't see him take charge of a Crewe game for a long time, as we never seem to get a fair shake with him.

First 60

I will say, we can judge this game in 2 parts though. The first 60 and the final 30. If we're focusing on positives, then the first hour deserves a mention. They shaded the first half and it was only a wonder save from Joe Day that kept the score at 0-0. They held Cheltenham at arms length and restricted them to very little.

They got a deserved lead through, who else, but Jack Lankester. They looked solid and comfortable against an improving and mid-table Robins. And this was their first defeat since the end of September. If they can go another 12 games unbeaten, then they'll be in very good shape come the end of the season. We shouldn't go crazy over one defeat.

Ref Assessment

I've said all I need to say above. God awful.

Management Assessment

Woeful. Starting XI fine. Tactics for the first 60 minutes fine. But from then on, things fell apart. Let this be a lesson learned. It should not be repeated again.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Not a lot he could do for either goal, I felt sorry for him as he deserved better.

James Connolly

Was pretty untroubled at RCB, I don't put anything that went wrong particularly on him. Hooked for Long late on.

Mickey Demetriou

His worst game since Chesterfield. Started poorly, did settle in the middle, but his clearance for their winner cannot happen. Hopefully he can get over a poor game.

Zac Williams

Looked fine until he was bizarrely shifted to LB. Worryingly though, he's now picked up yellow cards in 4 straight games and is up to 6. He needs to chill out a bit.

Ryan Cooney

Another quiet game in an attacking sense, but he was solid and kept Ethon Archer quiet.

Matus Holicek

Growing with every game, he added another assist with a smart pass into Lankester. It was a shame he got booked, as I felt that's why he was taken off. He probably should have stayed on.

Jack Powell

Rusty, as you would expect. There were some moments where he looked like the Powell of old, but they were few and far between. Still, it was good to see him get through 60 minutes unscathed.

Joel Tabiner

Not a terrible performance, but we still need to see more.

Max Conway

A more effective display from him where he got into some dangerous positions but couldn't quite find that final ball. He was completely stunted once he moved to CM. Stop doing it.

Shilow Tracey

He was alright in the first half, but he simply has to score that chance. He faded into obscurity in the 2nd half, especially once he moved to LW. It was his 'foul' that saw the equaliser scored, but I won't hold that against him too much. Still needs to do better.

Jack Lankester MOTM

Yet again the only player that looked like scoring. He was bright and lively throughout and took his 5th goal of the season brilliantly. It was a shame he lost effectiveness once he was shifted to RW.

Subs:

Omar Bogle

Totally ineffective. I'd argue we're getting to the point now where you either start him or leave him on the bench, as coming on as an impact sub doesn't seem to be suiting him.

Max Sanders

Not a lot he could do once he came on as the team fell apart around him. Didn't deserve to be dropped in the first place.

Chris Long

Came on for 9 minutes, but had little chance to contribute.

Overall Verdict

1 defeat after 12 games unbeaten isn't the time to freak out. But what deserves criticism are the same unnecessary tactical adjustments when they are cruising in games. What deserves criticism is the 9 lost points from winning positions. They're still in a good position, but I can't help but feel everyone, from the management to the players, need to step up their game going forward.