Crewe Alex 2-1 Notts County 25/26 Review - It happened again!

You can't write it can you? The Alex's 3rd straight penalty at home against Notts County and the 2nd out of 3 which decided the game. I wondered if County heads might explode and I think they are doing. To be fair, my head would be on mars if I'd just witnessed my team go down for the 3rd straight season in identical fashion.

Yes, the Alex got what either could turn out to be nothing more than a papering over the cracks win, or the start of a revival. We'll have to wait and see. For now, here is my review of the Alex's win over the Magpies:

Elements

We know the DNA that took them to 4 wins from the opening 4. The high intensity pressing, the quick attacking football, the tenacious defending. Well, a fair amount of that had gone missing in recent weeks and the results had suffered for it. But it was back today, in fits and starts albeit.

They struggled to press consistently, but they were quick to snap into tackles and win the ball back high up the pitch when they were able to contain County's passing game. They got the ball forward quickly and there seemed to be a bit of plan this week. Yes, it was patchy, but there were some promising signs that initial game plan was coming back in.

Home performances

I've been highly critical of the Alex's Gresty Road performances and results under Lee Bell for a while. But, and whisper it quietly, they might be turning a corner in that regard. They won their first 2 home games in convincing fashion. Yes, the defeat against Swindon was horrendous. But against Barnet, they score either penalty and they at the very worst probably draw the game. They absolutely should have won though.

Then in this one they get the win, which regardless how it came about is still a win. So right now, they should be 3-1-1 at home and maybe even 4-0-1. Obviously we'll see which way their form goes in the coming weeks, as they have some tricky opponents coming up, but touch wood, they might(and I stress might) be on their way back at home.

Unsustainable...But

I've seen people dumping on the performance and how unsustainable it is in winning games of football on a consistent basis. I do get it. 36% possession, fewer shots on target, fewer shots, less territory. 2/3rds of their xG was made up of the penalty. It's not going to win you many games. But then they aren't going to come up against teams like Notts County much either. They are a strong team with talent, who know how to move the ball well.

They did create the better chances and will feel they deserved to win and at the very worst come away with a point. But let's give the opposition credit for how they played. If the Alex play this way against Bromley in 2 weeks time, I'll be concerned. But I won't feel too unhappy at winning this way against a team like the Magpies.

Courage

It took huge balls for Josh March to step up once again to take the penalty. I would have been fine to see Lankester take it personally, but March is your striker, so you expect him to want it and take it. Everyone was obviously nervous to see him step up, but fair play to him, he did and this time he made no mistake, sending Roos the wrong way.

If only he'd picked that spot against Barnet....in all seriousness, it was no more than he deserved for another tireless all round display. Now let's hope he sticks a hat trick in against Harrogate!

Mixed messages

I will credit Bell for his first 2 subs. Lankester for Agius was like for like, but taking off Thomas and bringing on Tezgel was an attack minded sub and one we don't often see. So fair play.

However, I don't quite get what the final 2 changes were. Who was playing at LB when Finney went off? Why did Billo go into midfield? Why did O'Reilly stay on for the 90? Had they lost the game, serious questions would have been asked about the final shape. But they didn't, so that conversation doesn't matter. But the first 2 subs were positive ones and I want to see more of that going forward.

Ref Assessment

Inconsistent. Could have shown a 2nd yellow to Hall and probably missed 2-3 other bookings which his initial flurry of cards set the stall out to say were card worthy. But he did give the penalty, so I can't complain too much.

Management Assessment

They needed this, big time. But the challenge now is to replicate the positive elements of this game and the confidence gained to build and get another result against Harrogate.

Player Assessments

Tom Booth

One or two flaps, but he made several big saves in the 2nd half, so a good bounce back game from him.

Lewis Billington

Another who was fortunate to keep his spot, I felt he walked the early yellow tightrope well to be fair. But I'm still unconvinced by him as a starting RB, sorry.

James Golding MOTM

I can't argue with the sponsors award. He gives me heart palpitations at times, but he won a lot of defensive battles and I thought he was generally good.

Mickey Demetriou

He won't score an easier goal in his career. But it was most welcome and he not only scored, but was excellent at the other end as well. Back to his best.

Charlie Finney

I won't be swayed on his long term potential, but he stepped in admirably and covered a lot of ground. They need to find a way to not just play him once a month, as he's going to be needed more as the season goes on.

Max Sanders

A close choice for MOTM I thought. He got an assist on Demetriou's goal and kept the ball moving as much as he could. His set pieces do still need work, although his free kick in the 2nd half was a decent one.

Conor Thomas

Ok, I'll admit it, he was very good. But my concern remains that he can't stay fit and can't give you 90 minutes, which means they look very light in midfield without him.

Tommi O'Reilly

A lively battling display, but I do think him and Agius need to rotate in and out of the team. He tired in the 2nd half and I would have liked to have seen Rankine come on for him.

Matus Holicek

He was fine, but picked up a yellow and faded in the 2nd half before he came off. I do still think he might be better suited out wide.

Calum Agius

Looking a bit lost at the moment, which is fine as he's only a 2nd year pro. But it's hard to justify a starting spot for him at the moment, especially with Rankine and Lankester on the bench.

Josh March

Up there alongside the better players. He pressed from the front and then he caused some issues running in from the left, even if I'd have preferred him to play down the middle with Tezgel. He showed bravery to step up and score the winning goal.

Subs:

Jack Lankester

Very quiet. Now that he's fit, they need to find a way to get the best out of him. The season and the management's jobs might depend on it.

Emre Tezgel

Got more stuck in and then his good movement caused panic in the County box and drew the foul and penalty. A good cameo from him.

Jay Mingi

Finally makes his home debut, he wasn't on long enough to make any judgements.

James Connolly

Won a few big headers but he too wasn't on for long enough to properly assess him.

Overall Verdict

How will we look back on this win. As the turning point in the managements and teams future/season? Or as a 1 off before normal(poor) service is resumed? It has to be the former.