Colchester United 1-1 Crewe Alex 23/24 Review - Somehow

Well, they did it. For most of the afternoon, everything looked set to rob them of the play-offs. But they found a way to snatch an equaliser. And then play out possibly the funniest 2 minutes of football I think I've ever seen, as they passed it around aimlessly at the back, with Colchester offering no attempt to try and press them or push for a winner. Still, there was an actual game of football going on. So let's try and review it shall we?

Did it on their terms

For as poor as they were, they did it on their own. For most of the afternoon minutes, it looked like they were relying on Barrow not sneaking a winner against Mansfield. In the end though, they got it done themselves. It was scrappy, it was barely deserved, but hasn't that been the story of their season?

Achievement

The Alex have been god awful for the last 12 games, including this one. But the fact is, they made the play-offs and deserved to. Aside from a little wobble over Christmas and the final 2 months, they were superb for the majority of the season. They had a small budget compared to many other teams who finished way below them in the table.

They had a metric ton of injuries, which cost them the services of so many key players, especially in the middle. And dare I say it, but Bell looked like a rookie for large parts of the season with his mistakes. So to make the play-offs with everything that has gone on is some achievement.

Management

I've been highly critical of the management team. I've probably been too harsh in many ways. This after all is Bell's first full season as manager. He's had a similarly green assistant backing him up in Ryan Dicker. They've had good moments, they've had bad moments. But I suppose that is to be expected from them in their first full season of management. I hope they take some well earned rest in the next day or so and come back ready for the play-offs.

King of Merseyside

The Alex wouldn't be where they are without the contributions of a few key players. Adebisi, Demetriou, White, O'Riordan. Powell to a certain extent. Thomas to a certain extent. But I don't think we can even come close to describing Elliott Nevitt's impact. His 16th goal of the season, in a grueling campaign when he's been leading the line by himself and must be knackered right now, is a testament to his character and spirit.

Redemption

I've been critical of Kirk since he returned, as have many others. He's struggled to produce the moments of magic we saw frequently during his peak years at Gresty Road. But his cross for Nevitt's goal was the Kirk of old. If the Alex can get that Kirk back for these next 2 games, then the daunting task of getting past an inform Doncaster team might not be as bad as we fear.

Ref Rating - 7

Can see why he's done so many games at so many levels. Was calm, controlled and I don't think, aside from maybe a penalty shout on Demetriou, he got much wrong. I was impressed by him overall.

Management Rating - 5

The tactics worry me. I know they don't have any fit midfielders, but going long ball all the time doesn't seem like it'll work against Donny. As I said above, I hope they have a reset over the next week and try to come up with a better game plan.

Player Ratings

Max Stryjek - 5

Shaky. Could he have saved Chilvers' goal? Possibly. There were a few flaps and wobbles as well from him. He needs to settle down.

Ryan Cooney - 0

I've said my piece on Cooney, I won't go into it again. All I will say is, he can't start in the play-offs. He's a non-option. Bench player at best.

Zac Williams - 5

You could tell he was a left footer playing on the right. I almost think that you'd be better switching him and Demetriou over, giving the more experienced player the tricky task of playing on the opposite side.

Mickey Demetriou - 5

Some poor passes put them in trouble on a couple of occasions. They need the best version of him in these next 2 games, otherwise there won't be a 3rd.

Rio Adebisi - 5

Tries his best, but without a consistent left winger, he's struggling to make anything happen.

Lewis Billington - 5

Looked lost in midfield. For me, he has to go to RB over Cooney. I don't want to see him in midfield again, which isn't a criticism of him either.

Joel Tabiner - 5

The lovely backheel largely made up for what had been another anonymous game from him. He needs to be out wide or just pushed higher up, as he can't influence games in his current position.

Matus Holicek - 4

It's harsh, but he was poor. He struggled to get involved and then when he did, he fluffed a cross and shot in great positions. He then limped off. Hopefully he's fit for the play-offs, but they need better from him when he starts.

Chris Long - 0

Very disappointing. Fouled as much as he touched the ball, got injured, came off at half time. He doesn't start if he's fit for the next 2. He probably shouldn't have started today.

Elliott Nevitt - 8 MOTM

Never gives up. Never stops working. And got his reward. What a season he's had.

Shilow Tracey - 4

All pace, no end product, as usual. He starts in the play-offs, but that's only because I want no part of Long or Rowe as a starter.

Subs

Aaron Rowe - 0

I'm tired of watching him do the same things. Dribble into traffic, lose the ball, foul and get a yellow. It's tedious now. He HAS to step up in the play-offs.

Josh Austerfield - 5

Tried his best, but in such a scrappy game it was hard for him to make an impact. He'll likely start in the play-offs and they'll need a big effort from him.

Courtney Baker-Richardson - 5

I cannot for the life of me work out why they just kept chucking balls up to his head. Nothing much he could do with that sort of service.

Charlie Kirk - N/A

He redeemed himself with that assist for the equaliser. He absolutely starts against Doncaster.

Overall Verdict

Well, they made it. It wasn't pretty and it wasn't easy. But they did it. And they can be proud of that. However, if they don't want to get thoroughly embarrassed in the play-offs, everyone from the management to the players needs to up their game. Because if they play like that, any hopes they have of getting to Wembley will disappear quickly. 2 big efforts remain. Let's hope they go into the play-offs with a bit of freedom.