Crewe Alex 0-3 Swindon Town 25/26 Review - Familiar

I know why they lost last week and again this week. It's because I wasn't at the game. Last week, travel costs ruled me out from going and this week, family business meant I was only able to watch on NowTV. So I apologise. I also apologise for the defeat against Colchester, as I also won't be going to that game either.

Seriously though, this defeat was a chilling throwback to last season. The hope and optimism built up through the first 4 games is quickly fading as back to back losses to nil have familiar feelings returning at a rapid pace. Here is my review of today's awful defeat to Swindon:

Pressing

If we could have access to a Match of the Day style analysis section, I'm willing to bet the pundits would pull apart the Alex's pressing game in brutal fashion. For me, the way Swindon found the massive gaps to play through had nothing to do with lack of energy from the Alex as some suggested. For me, it had everything to do with how that pressing game was applied. Some players were charging around like mad men, some were strolling. There were gaps everywhere and a quick footballing side with a coherent plan were always going to tear it to shreds.

The midfield, a source for concern going into the season but had done well through the opening 5 games, was picked apart. Jack Powell looks finished in the EFL, Owen Lunt isn't a number 10 and you could have driven an Avanti train through some of the holes they presented. The balls forward were all too often aimless and the defence and goalkeeper were utterly atrocious.

Footballing Lesson

And this was taken advantage of by a side who knew all about how beat the Alex's system. Against limited footballing sides like Accrington and Crawley, they didn't get punished as those teams lacked the quality and philosophy to beat them. But Swindon today taught the Alex a lesson today and they aren't the first ones to do it either.

Their quick movement on and off the ball meant the Alex were under the cosh all afternoon. They scored 3 and should have had 3 or 4 more, but for some wasteful finishing. They humbled the Alex and they enjoyed a very very easy afternoon.

Killer Mistake

I'll defend Tom Booth. The idea that's he's proven he's not good enough in previous seasons is simply not true. In 23-24, he was brought in before Christmas for Harvey Davies and after a shaky first couple of games, he settled down and was fine. He only lost his spot through injury, not bad form. Have we forgotten that?

And are we saying last season he wasn't good enough? He didn't play because Marshall was so solid and didn't deserve to be dropped. Being stuck on the bench doesn't prove he wasn't good enough.

This season, let's be fair towards him and say in 4 of the first 5 games, he was solid at worst and decent at best. The only game where he wobbled was the game against Crawley when him messing on the ball almost caught him out.

However, he can't escape blame for today's horror show. At 1-0 down and with them slowly coming back into the game, he got a poor back pass, but instead of playing it safe, he tried a stupid drag back for the 2nd time in 3 games and this time, there was no lucky escape, as Paul Glatzel robbed him and rolled into an empty net.

To make a mistake like that once is forgivable. To make it twice in 2 home games is inexcusable and it was arguably that mistake and goal which killed them. It cannot happen and him doing this will only lead to more calls for Sam Waller to start.

Heavy Loss

I'm going to bring up the stat again, but this is not the first time the Alex have gone down to a multi-goal home defeat where they spend the majority of the game chasing shadows and look totally outclassed.

This was the 11th time they've lost by more than 1 goal at home in Lee Bell's tenure. Dave Artell, in 76 home games in L2 between January 2017 and March 2020, lost 10. Bell has lost 11 in 64. This was a worrying throwback to issues that have been persisted throughout his time as manager. Losing at home is acceptable. Getting battered and dominated isn't, not at the frequency it happens currently.

Plan B

In 23-24, the Alex made a habit of starting games poorly, but the management were able to adjust quickly to rescue games. But since the start of last season, they have looked increasingly out of ideas when it comes to developing plan Bs. Last season they were notoriously bad at coming from behind. They scored just 9 equalisers and rescued 15 points from losing positions. Only 5 of those points rescued came in 2025, which covered 24 games and 14 different occasions where they conceded first or fell behind.

This season has seen the same issues. The change of formation didn't work against Stockport and ok, it's L1 Stockport in the cup, who cares. But their formation changes against Gillingham for me cost them a draw in the final 10 minutes and today, their tactical switches at half time once again looked clueless and produced nothing meaningful. Agius at wing back? Josh March shifted onto the wing in a 3-4-3 formation? They created less chances in the 2nd half than they did in the 1st, which is alarming given Swindon dropped into first gear.

This management team through the first 4 games tactically outclassed their opponents. Unfortunately today, it was a chilling throwback to last season where they looked like they hadn't even seen a tactics board before. I hope they can find a way to bring back the football we saw in those opening few weeks, but at the moment, things seem to be trending in the wrong direction.

Ref Assessment

I thought he missed a stone wall penalty on Golding in the 2nd half, but aside from that I don't think he did much wrong.

Management Assessment

Have they developed a style of play they can't consistently implement? Have they got any coherent back up plans? The next few weeks will tell us where the season is going, but as I mentioned above, things seem to be turning in a worrying direction.

Player Assessments

Tom Booth

There is no defending what he did today. It can't happen at any level at any point in a game. For it to happen twice is inexcusable. I'm sure Bell will give him a chance to bounce back against Colchester, but he needs a flawless few weeks now. The pressure is on.

Lewis Billington

Scapegoated by being subbed at HT. He wasn't at the races, but then who was?

James Connolly

His poor back pass panicked Booth for the 2nd, but his ridiculous defending for the 3rd was criminal. He's been decent through the opening weeks, but this was a throwback to some of the mistakes he made last season.

Mickey Demetriou

As jittery as the rest, his weak back pass should have resulted in the 4th goal just before half time. Not acceptable from the captain.

Reece Hutchinson

He's been excellent so far, but today he got his 3rd yellow card in 6 games. For all the talk about improving discipline, he's been a repeat offender for needless cards.

Max Sanders MOTM

One of a few who could hold his head up high. 82% passing accuracy and 74 touches, it wasn't his fault he got no help from his team mates.

Jack Powell

Decent at Fleetwood, horrendous today, especially off the ball as his defensive positioning was found wanting time and time again. Rightly hauled off at half time. If Thomas isn't fit to play against Colchester, move Lunt alongside Sanders against Colchester.

Tommi O'Reilly

Probably the only other player to emerge with credit. He kept looking for the ball and trying to make things happen.

Owen Lunt

I like him as a player, but a number 10 he is not. This experiment with him in there needs to end. Drop him back alongside Sanders were he can play as maybe a number 8 box to box style player. A passenger today.

Calum Agius

Another who looked lost. Holicek and Lankester can't come back quick enough, because it's clear he's going to need breaks on the bench from time to time. Hopefully the Wales U21 call up sees him to away, recharge and come back refreshed for the Barnet game.

Josh March

Worked hard, but he missed a decent early chance which could have flipped the game and some of the stats don't reflect well. He lost the most duels and had the fewest touches. Although I do have sympathy with the manager putting him on the wing. Why exactly?

Subs:

James Golding

2 poor sub appearances in a row. He was lucky not to give a penalty away. The early returns from him are mixed. I hope he improves, especially if he starts next week.

Emre Tezgel

I'm still not sure what his strengths are. Had a header fly wide, but aside from that, he added little. I don't see the talent that has him so highly rated as Stoke so far.

Charlie Finney

Added little when he came on.

Louis Moult

Ditto.

Overall Verdict

It's so disappointing that such a strong start had been washed away somewhat by a thoroughly dispiriting last 8 days. They need 2 bodies in the door, they need some attackers back to allow them to rotate and they need to hope today was a one off. Because if this was the start of a slide into last season's ignominy, then we are only a few weeks away from having discussions about the management's future once again. I hope and pray it isn't.