Crewe Alex 2-0 Notts County 24/25 Review - No'Bell' Prize

There are 5 awards handed out for contributions to science, peace and other outstanding deeds. Well, I think Lee Bell and his management team need their own award after once again building a promotion contender for the 2nd straight season in a row, something we haven't seen since the 90s. The Alex are right in the mix for not just the top 7, but also the top 3 on this evidence. Here is my review of their win over Notts County:

No Bell, still a party

The club kept the fact that Lee Bell was not on the touch line very quiet. I didn't realise he'd hit the threshold for a suspension, but today it was Ryan Dicker and Kenny Lunt leading things. And unlike the last time those 2 had to manage a game without Bell beside them(the 3-2 loss against Morecambe), they navigated this one superbly. Full credit to them for stepping in.

Discipline

There was only one real downside to today's win. And that was the number of cards they collected. Their 6 yellows and 1 red will incur a fine in the short term, but leave them without Chris Long in the long term, with his next game available being Grimsby on the 14th December. I won't go overboard on him, as I think it was as honest mistake. But it was still unnecessary and could have cost the team. His team mates didn't seem very happy with him that's for sure.

Of the players who picked up the yellows, 4 players are now walking the 5 yellow suspension tightrope in Cooney, Tracey, Tabiner and Lankester. The 19 game cut off is still 4 games away, so they'll have to watch themselves in the coming weeks. A lot of the yellows today felt avoidable as well, Cooney's especially, which came from celebrating in Alex Bass' face. One or two players could be joining Long in serving suspensions in the near future if they aren't careful.

Clean Pair of Heels

I can't remember the last time I saw a Crewe goal like their opener today. From defending a corner to the back of the opposition net 10 seconds later. Tracey showed just why he'd been on the books at Spurs for a number of years as he easily outpaced Sam Austin, got himself in on goal and showed brilliant composure to roll it under Bass. His 5th goal of the season was wonderfully taken and gave the Alex a crucial lead.

Controversial Penalty

What is it with Crewe Alex v Notts County games and having controversial penalties awarded in them? Much like this fixture 12 months ago, the Alex got a very debatable award as Bogle went down in the box under very little contact and the ref somehow deemed it a foul. If that was at the other end, I'm raging. However, after all the spot kicks we never get, I'll take a soft one like that.

Team Performance

The most pleasing aspect of this display was once again, it was a team full of 7 and 8 out of 10 players. Nobody hid, nobody shirked their responsibility, on or off the ball. The defence didn't make mistakes and cleared their lines time after time, the midfield were a handful and the front 2 were almost impossible to handle. It was an all round effort and they fully deserved the 3 points, soft penalty award or not.

Promotion Contenders

The Alex are promotion contenders. They might not show up in betting odds and the pundits might keep clinging to their bottom half predictions, but there is now ample evidence that they are where they are on merit. They are unbeaten in their last 7 league games, are 7 league games unbeaten at home, have a goal difference of +12 in their last 13 games and are up to 2nd, with table topping Port Vale next up.

It's time for the outside world to start paying attention, because with players returning, a deep squad and quality to not only score goals at one end, but keep them out at the other, there is nothing to suggest this group can't be in the mix for the automatics. Nothing at all.

Referee Assessment

Penalty aside, I actually don't think he was that bad. Yes, you could debate why the Alex finished with 6 cards and County 1, but I think most of them were fair. Notts fans will hate him, but I felt he did ok on his EFL debut.

Management Assessment

Got the team selection correct, although there weren't many reasons to change things from last week. The subs are hard to question, as I don't think you can legislate for Long's error. A fine effort sans Lee Bell down there.

Player Assessments

Fillip Marschall

Clean sheet number 7 and he earned it with 1 fine save in the 2nd half and a number of big catches and punches as County threatened a come back.

James Connolly

He's been maligned in previous games, but this was him at his best. Good defensively, still a little shaky with the ball but looked more composed and even joined in the attack a few times.

Mickey Demetriou

What more can you say? Won all his headers, kept an admittedly depleted County attack quiet, but was the usual rock at the back. His sprint to keep pace with Tracey for the first goal was hilarious as well.

Zac Williams

Another steady but quiet game, which is fine for your LCB. He got forward a couple of times, but he's just so dependable at the moment, you don't notice him most weeks.

Ryan Cooney

A brilliant penalty, it's just a shame his shithousery in the celebration went too far and got him booked. He needs to avoid anything silly in the next few weeks given he's 1 yellow away from a suspension.

Joel Tabiner MOTM

I could have given the MOTM to anyone, but I'll give it to Tabs for an all action display and assist, which must be a record for the further assist from goal, given he got it whilst in his own box. He's back to his best and just in time for the big one a week on Monday.

Max Sanders

I like a lot of what he does from open play. Keeps is simple, always offers for the ball and this was definitely one of his better games. The only frustration is that his set pieces are poor. It's an area he needs to work on.

Matus Holicek

Whilst he didn't do much on the ball, he hounded and harried Bedeau and worked his socks off, which is a side to his game he'll need to develop. He was excellent.

Max Conway

There is so much to like about Conway, but I keep finding myself wishing he'd be a bit more decisive in his attacking work, as he so often takes one touch or move too many. Got through the 90 minutes against a tricky customer in Tsaroulla, which is good to see.

Shilow Tracey

Another of their better performers, he was a constant menace, took his goal superbly and but for some slightly better decision making, could have created 2 or 3 more. His partnership with Bogle looks to have legs.

Omar Bogle

And speaking of him, this was another strong effort. Ok, he couldn't find a goal, but him graciously giving up the penalty to Cooney(part of a plan?) was good to see. He's proving to be an excellent targetman, but with added technical ability.

Subs:

Jack Lankester

A welcome return for him and a timely one. It was a shame they couldn't spring him on the counter late in the game, as he looked lively.

Owen Lunt

Got stuck in and hassled County in the latter stages.

Chris Long

Sigh. What do you even say at this point? It was a red card, which puts him out for the Vale, Carlisle and Bradford. Not ideal, although with Lankester and Thibaut back going forward, you can deal with it.

Kian Breckin

He came on and ran about a bit. That's about all there is so say.

Overall Verdict

A deserved 3 points, controversial moments aside. Now comes the real litmus test. Win at Vale Park a week on Monday and we might need to start talking about the Alex not just as promotion contenders, but title contenders as well. All eyes turn towards Vale Park. Bring it on.