Crewe Alex 0-1 Walsall 24/25 Review - Agonising

We don't really know how to deal with seasons like this do we? We aren't used to mid-table seasons and we especially aren't used to seasons where we look like promotion contenders for so long, yet watch it fizzle out into nothing. The most worrying statistic is that since the Bromley win in early January the Alex have played 22 games. They have scored 16 goals and picked up 20 points from them.

This is a team is a downward spiral and it would take an incredible summer of recruitment and squad building to drag them out of it. Are Bell and his coaching staff the ones to do it? I have serious doubts. Still, that's a conversation for another time. For now, let's break down yet another defeat and yet another goalless game from Crewe Alex:

Sad

It's rather tragic that the biggest cheer we got all afternoon was the news that Bradford had scored and denied Walsall automatic promotion right at the death. I suspect a few Alex fans will also be gloating about the fact that the Vale missed out on the title. You know your season has been awful when they are the high points to the final game of the season.

Positives

I know it's hard to find many, but there were some bright points today. Owen Lunt was decent in midfield and Sanders, aside from a few too many Hollywood long balls, was good also. I think Agius, whilst not a right winger, could be a good player. Hopefully, we've seen the last of a number of different players for various reasons. And best of all, it's an entire 99 days before we go through this all again. Small mercies.

Agonising

What did I mean by the title? Well, from a Crewe point of view watching them play is agonising. They set up to play 4-3-3 and play football, I will say that. But the coaching of them is horrendous. Static midfielders, deep full backs and a muddled approach makes them a tough watch. They are not a team I like or enjoy watching and it's for that reason that I'm quite glad the season is over and I don't have to watch them in a meaningful game for 3 whole months.

But the most agonising moment from the game must have been from the Walsall fans. For 30 minutes, they thought they were up. They were winning, Bradford weren't and the top 3 was there for them. But a late deflected effort in the 95th minute from the Bantams denied them right as the final whistle was blowing at Gresty Road. I honestly don't know how you get over that. Obviously their top 3 bid was lost due to their woeful form coming into the final day, but how they recover from that, I don't know. I suspect we'll see them in L2 again next season.

Best Moment

There was very little to shout about from this game. But by far the best moment was the entire ground applauding the young Alex fan who recently lost his life at just 11 years old. Fair play to the ref for stopping the game as well. Football, for all it's highs and lows, is inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. This young fan's passing at such a young age should remind us all of that. Rest in Peace to him.

Ref Assessment

He was pretty poor. The fact he didn't give a penalty for the trip on Lunt was egregious and he was wildly inconsistent with his decision making. His linesman on the main stand side was worse though.

Management Assessment

What can be said about them has been said. They will be very, very lucky if they are still in a job come August. Or come Monday morning for that matter.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Denied that 17th clean sheet by weak defending, he deserved more. His fine save in the first half capped off what has been a strong season for him. He joins the esteemed "played every league game" club. Best of luck to him wherever he goes next season.

Lewis Billington

It was nice to give him the captaincy. Is that as a final send off? Or in light of them bringing him back for next season? Hard to say. If he stays, fine, he's useful depth. But if he's let go, I won't be too bothered. A nice lad, but a limited footballer.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

A solid enough final outing for him. He deserved to play more in the final weeks of the season, but he should feel confident about going and playing L1 football next season.

Connor O'Riordan

It's a shame things didn't end better for him in his 2nd spell. He was decent for the most part since arriving, but his addition on top of keeping Knight-Lebel was a mistake when they had bigger needs elsewhere to strengthen. I don't know where his career goes from here.

Max Conway

Love the guy for his ball carrying abilities, but yet again the lack of a final pass, cross or shot remains a huge issue. I'm sorry, but finishing the season with just 1 assist isn't good enough. Adebisi last season had 7. I shouldn't be digging him, but I can't help feel frustrated by him. Still, best of luck to him next season, he should be in L1, whether that's with Bolton or a Burton type team on loan.

Max Sanders

Tried the Hollywood pass a few too many times, but I really don't know what he did to be benched for weeks and weeks towards the end of the season. One of his best games of the season.

Conor Thomas

I've said it dozens of times already and I'll keep saying it. I do not see what he offers. Should be a bench option at best next season.

Owen Lunt MOTM

Maybe I'm over egging him and downplaying Sanders, but I thought Lunt was good today. Yes, there were a couple of big mistakes. But he also should have won a penalty in the 2nd half and he put in a real shift. Is there more to him? Give him a new deal for next season and a run of 10-20 games and let's find out. If he comes back, it's his make or break season.

Callum Agius

After some bright cameos on the wing, he looks a bit lost in this one. Yes, the attacking quality around him is non-existent, but he struggled. Still, with hopefully Lankester, Tabiner and Holicek, plus several actually decent strikers, next season, he could flourish.

Adrien Thibaut

Put in a shift as usual until what looked like a hamstring injury forced him off. He should be 3rd or 4th choice striker next season at best. A hard working player, but a very limited one.

Chris Long

More of the same. Lazy, half arsed and his game summed up by 2 slips whilst in dangerous positions. He finished last season by diving at Wembley. He finished this season grinning like a Cheshire cat after he came off. I am on my knees praying he'll be released in the coming days.

Subs:

Omar Bogle

A few nice touches, but the ball kept bouncing off him and he once again kept throwing his arms up in the air every time he got fouled. If there is a way to get him gone in the summer, they need to take it. Not a player to build around or even keep as squad depth.

Fin Roberts

Fluffed the best chance of the game when he should have buried it. Still, he was bright and lively when he came on. Will he kick on next season and push for more appearances? I hope so.

James Connolly

His first introduction since returning from injury, his first pass was straight to a Walsall player. He did settle down after that thankfully. What they do with him next season will be interesting, as I don't fancy him much as a regular starter.

Charlie Finney

Not a criticism of him, but him coming as a left winger whilst chasing a goal summed up their attacking struggles. As for him next season, do you keep him as a cheap back up LB? I'm not so sure.

Overall Verdict

Thank god that's over. Yes, football never sleeps as next we'll be looking out for the retained list. And searching for transfer targets. And waiting on contract news and Tweets about new signings. And the announcing of friendlies. And the release of new shirts. And the release of the fixture list. But for now, we don't have to get worked up and angry about this team. Let's just hope for better things in 2025-26.