Crewe Alex 1-0 Crawley Town 25-26 Review - 31 Years

31 years. That's how long ago it was that the Alex picked up 9 points in their opening 3 league games of the season. For a side that almost never start a season well, to see the Alex top of the league after the first 3 games is rather incredible. Again, it's only 3 points and it's only 3 games, but only 1 other side in the division can say they've been perfect results wise so far. So, you can't not be happy at this result or the Alex's start. Here is my review of their win over Crawley:

Observations

I'm going to start with what feels like negatives, but I promise you they aren't, they are just observations. The lack of depth in the group is a concern, especially upfront. I know Holicek is 2-3 weeks away, Moult has a minor niggle and Lankester is around a month away. But they still look short. They were rumoured to have been set to sign Dion Rankine, but that rumour has gone cold. Even if he's no longer an option, they still need a pacy winger on the bench, as the injured players don't bring that, unless Tracey is closer to a return than we expect, which I don't think he is. Bell acknowledged as much in his post match interview, which is reassuring at least.

Also, there was a little too much whacking the ball into nowhere at times. They played some great stuff and I'm not complaining, but a bit more composure wouldn't have gone amiss. Tommi O'Reilly got a 2nd booking in 3 games for time wasting. That can't keep happening. And whilst we'll get onto the ref and his 3 jokers of assistants, some of the offsides the Alex were flagged for were really lazy. Sure, I few were more than questionable, but some were just players jumping too early and wasting what could have been great attacking plays. There are definitely things to tidy up on, on and off the pitch.

Fitness

I know there is a concern about the Alex's game management. In the last 3 games, they've been excellent for the first 60 minutes before falling away badly in the last 20-30. But ask Lee Bell about fitness and he'll probably tell you it takes 5-10 games before players are fully match fit. Yes, I do think their style of play does lead to fatigue setting in earlier than if they were a more off the ball, low block type of team, but I do think the flagging energy levels in the 2nd halves will alleviate itself somewhat in the coming weeks.

Deserved the 2nd

In the last 2 games, they've carried 2 goals leads from half time into the 2nd halves and seen out comfy wins. Today would have been a carbon copy had they found the 2nd they so clearly deserved. March volleying over, a fair looking 2nd goal being chalked off and then O'Reilly hitting the bar twice. They had the chances and attacking territory to have run in 2 or 3. I'd rather they be creating the chances and having attacking pressure than not. This is still a night and day difference to last season, even despite being short on depth up front.

Stepping Up

What's nice is that the Alex have had different match winners in all 3 games so far. In game 1, it was Conor Thomas scoring twice. Against Accy, it was Hutchinson and Agius. Then today, it was Tommi O'Reilly, scoring once and being inches away from 2 more. That's 4 different players off the mark for the season. Not bad given this time last season nobody had scored for them yet. It's been a collective effort so far and there don't seem to be any superstars in this team.

Consistency

I'm open to being proven wrong, but when was the last time the Alex were able to name an unchanged team 3 games in a row? I don't think it happened ever last season. I think even 2 games in a row was rare. Look, sometimes changes are necessary, even if you are winning. I do believe that. But sometimes it's fine just to leave things be and go unchanged. This is what Bell opted for today and I'm glad he did. Now, I won't flip out should he opt to change things for Fleetwood and Gillingham, 2 tough looking away games. But when he came, he should keep things the same. And he did. The result is 3 wins from 3.

Clean Sheet

The Alex kept 2 clean sheets in their final 13 home games last season. They hadn't managed it in back to back home games since Harrogate and Gillingham in late-September/early-October. Yes, Accrington and Crawley will be in the bottom 8 at best this season, but you can only beat/keep clean sheets against what is put in front of you. And the Alex have done that superbly well thus far.

Grind It Out

Question and without looking it up. How many home games did the Alex win 1-0 last season?(wait's a minute for you to check).

Answer: 1. Against Morecambe. In early September.

The Alex had issues all of last season grinding out results, home and away. They managed six 1 goal wins, which were four 1-0s, one 2-1 and one 3-2. By contrast, Champions Doncaster won 14.

There is confusion with the saying "good teams can grind out wins", as people think it can be applied every week. It can't, the grinding wins have to be accompanied by the commanding, controlled multi goal wins as well. Well, the Alex have had the latter in the their first 2 games, to the phrase can be used appropriately to describe this win.

Referee Assessment

It wasn't Alan Young, it was a late sub and Seb Stockbridge stood in at the last minute. Well, any hope that he'd be an improvement was dashed. He was god awful. The highlight of the bunch was Harvey Davies trying to take a free kick in the wrong position, so Stockbridge pulled it back. And let him take it from the exact same spot. Hilarious.

His assistants with the flags weren't any better, especially the one on the Pop Side, who didn't seem to understand the offside rule. Stockbridge though was atrocious, even by EFL ref standards.

Management Assessment

No gripes at all. They acknowledge the need for more options upfront, but they kept the team and formation the same and got their rewards. 3 wins from 3 takes the pressure off them going into 2 tricky away games.

Player Assessments

Tom Booth

One horror moment aside, he was good. Most of his saves were comfy and he took some high balls under pressure really well. His kicking still needs work and I'm sure Bell will be telling him next time to just whack it clear and not faff about.

Lewis Billington

He was fine, solid as usual and tried to make things happen going forward. He still needs competition though. Stan Dancey being the next man up in his spot shows that I think.

James Connolly

Another really good display, against an admittedly poor Crawley attack. Won 80% of his ariel duals, which is really good.

Mickey Demetriou

No wonder the goals have dried up, the opposition have just resorted to wrestling him to the floor at every set piece. It's an absolute joke. However, he was strong at the back once again.

Reece Hutchinson

FotMob gave him an 8.0, which feels a touch generous. He was active and involved and got forward well, he just needs someone to get on the end of his crosses.

Max Sanders

The runner up for the man of the match award in my mind. 31 passes made, which was more than Thomas and Lunt combined by a margin of 12(12 for Thomas, 7 for Lunt). Active, he did his best to break up play and start attacks.

Conor Thomas

He shielded the back 4 nicely, but I won't ever like the fact that he had just 30 touches in a 90 minute appearance. Sanders had almost twice as many. I want my midfielders to be more involved than that.

Tommi O'Reilly MOTM

What a start to the season he's had. The crossbar has denied him 3 times, but he took his first Alex goal really well, slotting into the bottom after gambling on March's flick on. His booking was unnecessary, but that one minor gripe aside, he was excellent.

Owen Lunt

I love his tenacity and his work rate. There is absolutely a place for him in this team. But is it deeper and at the expense of Thomas should Thomas' fitness break down or when they get Holicek/Lankester back fit? I don't think he is a long term number 10, but he's been very good to start the season.

Calum Agius

A quieter game for Agius, but then after a strong opening 2 weeks, he's not going to have great chances every week. His shot in the first half which flew over was the closest he came to a goal.

Josh March

Rivals Sanders for the MOTM runner up. His 4th assist in 3 games puts him just 2 off Jack Lankester's team leading 6 from last season. The goals will come as he's getting chances, he just needs one to fall nicely for him.

Subs:

Emre Tezgel

Tezgel will flourish if you are playing on the front foot and getting service to him in the box. I don't think he's the work horse, hold the ball up attacker to bring on when you are seeing a game out. They have to work out if they want him as a striker or an attacking midfielder and give him a run of games there. Is there a case to give him a start on Tuesday?

Charlie Finney

I feel for him, as bringing him on in the left wing position is a tough thing to ask a CM turned LB. He should have been awarded a free kick late on when he won the ball and got clattered.

Adrien Thibaut

I like that he got an opportunity and he battled well in the RW position. His swipe in the last minute of added time to give Crawley a free kick was poor judgement though.

Overall Verdict

A good win and a good start to the season. However, now the real tests begin, starting with back to back away games in the space of 5 days. If they can return to Gresty Road this time next week unbeaten and with 3 or more points in the bag, then it might be time to get a little excited about this team's potential.