Chesterfield 1-3 Crewe Alex 24/25 Review - Back in the Hunt

I know I've said it before, and this will be the last time I bring it up, but I didn't see a way back for the Alex in the promotion race after the loss at Wimbledon. A team crippled by injures and suspensions, without a win in 5, it looked grim. But, just as they have done time and time and time again, Crewe Alex never know when they're beaten. Now, after 7 points from their last 9 and with the teams' health improving at a rapid pace, they are well and truly back in the hunt for the top 7. This is my review of a fantastic win in Derbyshire:

Stepping Up

I begged some Alex players to step in the absence of the big name attackers before the Barrow game. And boy have they. Last week the heroes with O'Riordan, Lowery and Holicek. This week, it was Lowery again, but he was aided by Shilow Tracey and Max Conway joining the party. We know the criticism of Tracey and after his early miss, his head could have dropped. But he picked himself up, nudged aside a defender and fired in a superb finish to end his long goal drought for both this season and away from home.

As for Conway, he's been a really good signing, but his lack of attacking end product has been frustrating. So to see him slalom his way past several Chesterfield defenders before smashing in beautifully was brilliant to see. The cavalry is coming with Bogle. and Long back in the squad and hopefully Hemmings and Lankester not far off either. But it's fantastic that others have took it upon themselves to step up and start popping in goals.

Back 5

Look back through the comments below the 2pm team news tweet from the Alex and it was met with all round frustration that they were reverting back to a 5 and bringing back Tracey and Williams whilst the likes of Thibaut and Sanders made way, arguably unfairly. The management gambled a lot on reverting to a system that keeps them solid at the back but struggles to create chances. It turns out it was an inspired move. We keep doubting their decisions and they keep proving us wrong.

Inspired

I'll hold my hands up, I felt they erred in bringing back Connor O'Riordan and Tommy Lowery in January. And it wasn't because I was against them as individuals, they are both quality players. It's that I felt they prioritised 2 areas where they had depth to spare and left holes up front and at full/wing back untouched.

The gamble seemingly has paid off. The forward line is looking healthier. They've ridden the wave of absences and seemingly come out the other side relatively unscathed in terms of their promotion bid. But more importantly, both O'Riordan and Lowery have been outstanding since returning. The Alex don't win the game today with those 2. Nor last week's against Barrow.

Today, O'Riordan did a commanding job at keeping the lively Bim Pepple quiet and in midfield, even in a 2 Lowery kept things ticking along and popped in the game killing 3rd. Some, including myself, questioned the January recruitment, but on current evidence, they've nailed it.

Chances

Part of why they proved the doubters wrong today was that there was an actual plan of attack. Yes, they sat deep and dug in defensively, but they were quick and sharp going forward. They created enough chances to have scored 5 or 6. Tracey's early miss, Billo's curling shot, Holicek's blocked shot, Billo seemingly missing a sitter in the 2nd half, Tabiner dragging one wide, Bogle's late 1-on-1.

They created a 2.10 xG and 1.92 xG from open play. That's their largest total in an away game by a long long margin. They were superb in their chance creation today. Maybe not so much in taking them, but creating them has been a season long struggle, so I'll take this as a marker the future.

Needed

This win was a big one for several reasons. The first is obvious, for their promotion hopes. With Grimsby and Salford both dropping points, this 3 points solidified their position in 7th and even closed the gap on the teams above them that didn't win either. Yes, there will be twists and turns, but this was a good day in that sense.

It was also important as they need to pick up more wins on the road. After failing to beat a lot of other bottom half sides away from home, this was one of their final chances to pick up a win from a side not in the promotion hunt and they did it.

And it was also big for their confidence as they prepared for another tough pair of games against Fleetwood on Tuesday and then at Salford next Saturday. The games keep coming, but going into these 2 off back to back wins, their first from a home-away pair of games since September. The day couldn't have been much better.

Ref Assessment

He was doing fine until he somehow pulled 9 minutes added from thin air. How, with only a handful of subs and 1-2 short injuries he came up with that figure, god only knows. Thankfully it didn't cost them.

Management Assessment

They made the big call with the formation change and bringing in a couple of maligned players. They got it spot on. There's no time for back patting though with Fleetwood quickly coming up. They face another tough selection call once again.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

His big early save in the 2nd half that kept it at 2-0 was a big moment. He was excellent in his punching and catching, even taking a couple of whacks. He could little about Duffy's finish.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

A pretty quiet day I'd say. I don't really remember him having to do anything big, but that's usually a good sign for a CB.

Connor O'Riordan

He handled the tricky Pepple well, although I could understand Spireites fans who probably felt he was a bit to handsy in his approach. But still, he won his duels and kept Chesterfield mostly at bay.

Zac Williams

A quiet return for Zac, although he did show some nice dribbles in the 2nd half. Covered Conway on the left hand side nicely.

Lewis Billington

Playing like a man full of confidence. He was outstanding in marshalling Chesterfield's danger man Dobra, giving him very little joy.

Jack Powell

Grafted all game, he never stopped running and was quick to pounce on Chesterfield's mistakes. An all round solid 70 minutes of effort.

Tommy Lowery MOTM

What else can you say about him. An all action display at both ends, with some big defensive moments and then popping up with the game sealing 3rd. Outstanding.

Max Conway

A close contender for MOTM, he was strong down the left and his run and finish for the 2nd was brilliant.

Matus Holicek

He got stuck in and covered a heck of a lot of ground. Him wrestling with Dobra late on was fun to watch as well. Too often we see academy grads being soft in the physical aspects of the game. Not him clearly.

Shilow Tracey

His first away goal in 14 months had to feel very sweet. He probably should have had 1 or 2 more, but this will give him such a boost of confidence. I said he should be released at the end of the season earlier this week. If he keeps smashing in goals like that, he might start changing my opinion on that call.

Joel Tabiner

Like Holicek, most of his game was taken up with having to cover defensively and get across the pitch to try and break up Chesterfield's attacks. A slight criticism was that he should have done better with his 2nd half breakaway chance. A 3rd then would have killed the game.

Subs:

Max Sanders

6 touches in 28 minutes shows he spent most of his time defensively being part of the defensive wall. He couldn't find a way to get into the game, but did win 2 ground duels.

Omar Bogle

Broke the defensive line nicely and showed great composure to set up Lowery. But the miss for what could have been a really sweet 4th was honking. How did he get it so wrong?

Conor Thomas

Looked rusty on his return to the side, but he got some touches and was involved, which is good to see. How big a part he has to play with the options around him, I don't know. But it's nice to see him back.

Ryan Cooney

Didn't have a lot to do for the final few minutes he was on.

Callum Agius

Same, not enough time to draw any sort of assessment.

Overall Verdict

This is a brilliant win. But there is no time to bask in this with another tricky mid-table side in Fleetwood next up on Tuesday, where the pressure will be on once again to get the starting XI right and get another win ideally.