Crewe Alex 0-0 Swindon Town 24/25 Review - A game that happened

Most football games have memorable moments. Goals, red cards, action, excitement. Things to talk about, discuss, etc. Well, today's Crewe Alex v Swindon game will go down as one of the many games to have happened. It won't be talked about, remembered, dissected or looked back on. It was, whether you are a half full or half empty sort of person, a truly dreadful advert for L2 football. Let's do something different today and break it down into the sections of the pitch, as I think what you thought about this game depends on your perspective.

Defence

Last week, the Alex were all over the shop defensively. They were cut open time and time again as Chesterfield ran rampant, scoring 5 and spurring probably 3-4 other great chances to add to their lead. Well today, the Alex's defence was much better.

Yes, there were some nervy moments, but Swindon had very few chances and the ones they did have either dribbled wide of goal or were comfy saves for Marschall, who picked up a well earned clean sheet. Their first home clean sheet since March is definitely a welcome sight and it'll help build confidence in a new look back line.

Midfield

Now the not so positive. The midfield set up doesn't do it for me. Yes, I know Conor Thomas gives you height and a supposedly stronger defensive set up(if we ignore how woeful they were last week), but he continues to offer nothing on the ball.

If Bell wants to identify why the Alex struggle to hold onto the ball and are struggling to create chances, then Thomas is one of the reasons why, though not the main one. The fact he stayed on for the whole game whilst the brighter players in Sanders and Conway made way was telling.

Attack

The biggest bugbear from this and the whole season so far is the attack. A 2nd game in 3 where they managed 0 shots on target. A third blank. And in truth, aside from Long's wild blast wide at the end, they didn't create the chances to suggest they ever would score a goal.

The lack of quality upfront is starting to scare me. Kane Hemmings worked hard, but he badly needs help. Chris Long's return gives you more hope, as does hopefully Bogle's. But in Tracey, Lankester, Sanders and even the young lads Tabiner and Holicek, there looks to be a dire void of creativity. Long hopeful punts up the pitch, crosses to no-one, set pieces miles away from anybody. This looks like a team that will struggle to score 50 goals this season.

And the bigger concern is, what we saw today was everyone bar Bogle and maybe another attacking option in the squad. There is no massive boost in firepower coming given the final days of the transfer window. What they have now is what they're going to have to get through to January with. And that's a huge worry at this point.

Build On It

I'll finish with this. Was this a good point? No, but it wasn't a bad point either. It's how you build on these results that matters. I still prefer this team when they go away from home, as it suits the style Bell wants to play, which is an off the ball, defensive, hit them on the counter style.

I actually think they have a better chance right now of going to places like Bromley, Accrington and Newport and getting results. But the key will be to actually do that, starting with next week's visit to the capital. Another result there and they can head into September with a little bit of confidence.

Ref Assessment

Some laughable decisions, even if he got the major ones right, including Demetriou's last ditch tackle on half way which was never a red card. How he claimed a Swindon handball came off his chest when the player had his back to him, I don't know. A very average ref who thankfully didn't have many major decisions to make.

Management Assessment

They got the set up right initially. But where was the attacking intent? Why make like for like changes? I get you're worried about losing it, but you're at home and you desperately need a win. Why not go for it? For a management group that claim to want to play passing football and see high scoring games, we're seeing precious little of that so far. Also, 10 minutes for Matus Holicek, the only player to score a goal this season? Seriously?

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Got a well deserved clean sheet after a pretty spotless display which will have quieted the doubters for another week. You're still not 100% confident in him, but so far he's holding his own.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

Stood up well to the aerial bombardment and looked settled in what was his full league debut.

Mickey Demetriou

Mostly solid at the back, the yellow card was on him being sold a short pass and having to make the tackle. He also looked threatening at the other end, which is what we want to see from him. More like the Mickey from last season.

Zac Williams

Looked far better than last weeks calamity, as LCB in a back 3 is clearly his best position for now. I want to see more driving runs from him to support the LWB. I did like his frequent tussles with the new king of Shithousery, Harry Smith.

Lewis Billington

A quiet game at RWB, he's clearly lacking confidence after repeated drops to the bench since March. They won't go for a more athletic and attack minded right sided defender, but it's becoming a weak spot in the team.

Max Sanders

I liked some of the stuff he did in possession and he showed a good desire to snap into tackles. But I worry about him defensively, as Swindon without a decent attacking midfielder were able to bypass him and Thomas very easily at times. His crossing and set pieces are also dreadful. It was better than last week, but now we need to see him keep that improvement going.

Conor Thomas

I've already said what I wanted to say about Thomas. If you want defensively stability, I get why he starts. But when you've not scored a goal in 3 games, you need to question why he should start every week.

Max Conway MOTM

My man of the match behind Hemmings, he made so nice runs down the left. It was just a shame his final ball was lacking. Still, as he builds his fitness, I'm hoping to see better quality from him.

Joel Tabiner

I still for the life of me don't get why he played CM all of last season and now he's been moved to the number 10 spot. There were some flashes from him, but he once again cut an isolated figure in a role I don't think suits him.

Kane Hemmings

Narrowly missed out on the man of the match award with a gritty performance. He held the ball up well, ran the channels and competed against much bigger defenders for headers and long balls. He just needs more support around him.

Shilow Tracey

Same old, same old. Lots of flashes, where he'll win possession or pick up the ball and run at his man. But as usual, it's all flash with zero end product. He's a more palatable version of Bassala Sambou at this point, or am I being too harsh?

Subs

Jack Lankester

Had a little bit more joy than last week, but I'm struggling to see his long term fit in the team. A number 10 behind the attacker(s)? Did he do enough to start next week? Arguably not.

Chris Long

It's good to see him back on the pitch, but my god, he's 29 years old and he's lashing shots wide like that? Where is the composure to calmly place it in the bottom corner? He has to do better than that.

Charlie Finney

I thought he was the brightest of the subs as he gave them some solid play down the left. And who knew he had a long throw on him? More of that if it frees up Demetriou to get into the box please.

Matus Holicek

Coming on with 4 minutes of regular time to go? What's the point? He should start over Tabiner at this point.

Overall Verdict

A point. A clean sheet. But still no goals. And no sign of any either. As I said, I'm hoping when they go away to Bromley, they can find their groove, as I think their style suits being the visitors. A shock 1-0 win next week has everyone feeling far more positive heading into September. A draw/defeat though, and the gloom is going to continue.