Crewe Alex 0-1 Dag & Red 24/25 FA Cup Review - Shameful

You know how I complain every year about not getting a non-league side in the FA Cup. Well, this is the last time I ever say that. Give me a bog standard EFL club every single time, because the humiliation of losing to non-league sides is too much to bear. Telford, Tamworth, York, Eastleigh. Now add Dag & Red to the list. Everyone, from the management to the players, should be truly embarrassed by that shambles. Where to even start. Well, let's start with the opposition.

Deserved

Full credit goes to Dag & Red. They wanted it more from the kick off. They were quicker, sharper, played better football and created plenty of chances. They defended well, took their opportunity when it was handed to them and can celebrate their passage to the 2nd round today knowing this was no smash and grab. It was a performance which contained everything the Alex lacked.

Decisions

You want to defend the management's decisions. Fine. For me, there is no defence. The idea that Ryan Cooney was rested as he's now too valuable to this team is laughable. Yes, he's played a lot of minutes recently, but so have plenty of others. The moment you say he needs rest is to say you think the league is more important. And once you open up that can of worms, today's performance is the result.

Cooney has been one of the Alex's most durable players. Find me the last game he missed injured. Or got brought off in? If you think he's capable of playing 90 minutes every week for the last 2 months, then he's capable of giving you another full game today.

Ok, I get the argument that 2 changes is possibly too small a number to be unhappy about. But the subs were ridiculous. In taking off Conway, it removed all width. In taking off Tabiner, you lost all creativity. In leaving on 5 CBs to finish the game and to not make any sort of formation switch, aside from chucking Demetriou up top for the final 10 minutes.

What about at set pieces? Once Sanders and Tabiner went off, there were times when nobody on the pitch seemed to know who was supposed to be taking free kicks and corners. It was woeful mismanagement from start to finish and if you disagree, go argue with a wall.

Players

But, let's not let the players off the hook completely. They were woeful. Defensively they didn't cope with Dagenham's pressure and made countless mistakes. In midfield, they got out muscled and out fought. Upfront, they were wasteful when the opportunities did come. Time and time again they made the wrong choices. Poor passes, poor touches, shooting when they should have passed, passing when they should have shot. It was an off performance from almost all of them, regardless of whether you blame the management for contributing to that or not.

These players need to be reminded that reputations can be forged in the FA Cup. By going out early and denying themselves that opportunity, they'll have put big black marks against their ledgers in the eyes of future clubs. They need to take a long hard look in the mirror tonight.

Perspective

Now, and this is most unlike me, I will say that some perspective is needed tonight. Whilst this defeat will sting for a while and leave a bad taste in the mouth, they are still 5th in the League Two table. This is only their 5th defeat in 18 games across all competitions. They got Chris Long and Jack Powell back in the squad today, with Jack Lankester seemingly not far off a return as well.

They'll have learned the hard way about what they lack, which is depth in wide areas. 1-2 players will have started their last games for a fair while based on today unfortunately. The Alex are still in a great league position and Bell is still doing a great job, today's abomination aside.

They'll need to now quickly dust themselves off, get back on the training pitch and focus on how they navigate a very tough rest of November, with Walsall first up. Get some results in the next few weeks and whilst this loss won't be forgotten, it'll be forgiven quicker.

Ref Assessment

Atrocious. Yes, the penalty award was fair, but he could have booked 4 Dagenham players for cynical fouls and didn't. He missed numerous other smaller incidents, let some clear fouls go. He wasn't the reason the Alex lost, but he wasn't good either.

Management Assessment

I've said my piece on them above. This was a rare blip for them this season. Time for them to put things right in the coming weeks, which is where their abilities will be put to the test.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Wasn't quick enough to come for the ball and tripped Umerah. That one big clanger aside, he was solid and made a couple of smart saves. He wasn't totally to blame on the penalty though.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

I thought he'd he faultless up until he got the bouncing ball all wrong and allowed Umerah to get goal side of him. After that he wobbled and didn't settle. He'll need to be back to his best in the coming weeks.

Mickey Demetriou

His early booking set the tone. Didn't look comfortable and we need to have a conversation about much less of a threat he's looking at set pieces lately. Or about how nobody seems to be offering one.

James Connolly

He looks fine defensively, but he offers nothing on the ball or going forward. Back to the bench for a fair while for me after today.

Lewis Billington

I felt sorry for him, being asked to play a role at RWB he's clearly not suited to. But it also doesn't excuse a really poor performance. Like Connolly, he's fighting for a squad spot going into Walsall.

Max Sanders

A fairly standard performance from him, which is to say very average. Aside from Chesterfield, he doesn't look terrible in games, but he doesn't do much to influence them in a positive way either. He's just sort of...there. Oh and he can't give you more than 60 minutes. Which isn't great if you're a CM.

Joel Tabiner

I thought he was pretty lively and I'm not sure why he came off, unless he was nursing an injury and could only do an hour.

Owen Lunt MOTM

There weren't many takers, but I thought Lunt was pretty good all things considered. Kept asking for the ball and tried to make things happen. The only criticism was his miss in the first half, when he should have taken a touch and buried it, not rushed it and scuffed it straight at the keeper. Aside from that though, he was good.

Max Conway

Another player who I was baffled to see go off. He was one of the better performers and he looked the most likely to create something. Why he could only do an hour, I don't know.

Shilow Tracey

Had some moments to create a chance, but fluffed it. With Bogle and Long back, he needs to be putting in goals to stay in the starting XI. Not his day today.

Adrien Thibaut

Put himself about well, although why the rest of the team insist on asking him to be a hold up striker when he gives up several inches to opposing CBs, I don't know.

Subs

Zac Williams

Came on at LWB and looked to drive forward. Had a deflected effort which flew just wide.

Omar Bogle

Had some impact when he came on, but a clear chance wouldn't drop to him. You have to be tempted to start him at Walsall and to be honest, he probably should have started this match in hindsight.

Matus Holicek

Got on the ball in the latter stages, but wasn't able to influence anything in a meaningful way. You still question what he brings to the party at the moment.

Kian Breckin

Didn't do a lot. Like a few in the midfield, you question what he's adding at the moment. As it doesn't seem to be very much.

Chris Long

Nice to see him back, but for how long before he pulls something else? Wasteful with a late effort. It's now time, at one of the most crucial stretches of the season, for him to start earning his wages.

Overall Verdict

So there goes their last meaningful cup run. Yes, it makes it easier on the squad, but the financial hit to the club will probably limit their options in January. This is one that should linger and sting for the next few days. But go to high flying Walsall next Saturday and get a result and it will lessen this pain. Time to get back on the horse.