Crewe Alex 2-1 Oldham Athletic 25-26 Review - Dram-Latic

Sorry, I know the title is a rubbish pun, but I found it ironic that Oldham, a club reknown for having one of the coldest, wettest and windiest stadiums in the whole county, seemingly brought those conditions to Gresty Road this afternoon. In the space of a few hours, we had every type of weather, from driving winds to sideways rain to beautiful sunshine. It was a chaotic day in the sky and it was fairly frantic on the pitch as well. Here is my review of the Alex's dramatic late win over the Latics:

Slim pickings

If there is a concern to take away from this game, it's that the injury list is once again building. Lunt is done for the season. Thomas can't stay fit. Demetriou was missing after sustaining a bad cut on his heel last week against Shrewsbury and Lankester came off at half time in what surely must have been an injury worry. Yes, they'll have Agius back next week and Thomas' injury doesn't appear too serious, plus Tracey is maybe a week or 2 away from being considered for selection.

But they could do with avoiding any more concerns, as the bench today was once again slim pickings, with the likes of Moore, Finney and Moult hardly great options to turn to should you need them.

Context

We can nitpick and criticise elements of the performance, even in a win. They rode their luck at times, were on the back foot a bit too much for my liking and gave up 23 shots against in a home game. But let's also give this game some context. Oldham came having won 8 of their last 10 and having conceded 2 goals in that time. They carried all the momentum and all the confidence that said run had given them.

Let's give the opposition their dues. They were excellent in parts today. Fondop was a beast upfront and was borderline unplayable at times. Drummond, Woods, Pett and Stevens also played well. They created plenty of chances and on another day it might have been them snatching a win, given they hit the bar and had a few scrambles in the box in the 2nd half.

The Alex though stood up and matched them every step of the way.

Chances

Speaking of which, but for some better finishing(outside of the 2 screamers of course), the Alex could have had a few more goals today. Lankester, Tezgel and O'Reilly all missed great chances. They put up 7 shots on target, on a team with a 7 clean sheets from their last 8 streak and the 2nd fewest goals conceded record in the division. For the Alex to create plenty of chances and score 2 excellent goals should be really celebrated. Get their best players back on the pitch and this is what happens. They can hurt any team in the division.

Stood tall

Huchinson's goal was the better of the 2 Alex goals, but fair play to Matus Holicek for his performance today. He was pushed from pillar to post, starting in CM, then moving to the LW, then attacking midfield and then finally back to CM. I've not been very impressed with him since his return from injury, but today he stepped up with 2 goal contributions. Yes, his assist for Hutchinson didn't require a lot of creativity, but they all count.

His winner however, firing through a crowded box in added time as he was probably struggling physically, took a lot of quality. It was a big moment for him and it moves him on to a still modest 3 for the season. But still, it's 2 above his career high. The Alex need him to step up with the likes of O'Reilly and Lankester can't. He has all the talent to be one of the best players in the division, as today's winner proved. Now he needs to use this confidence booster to kick on and a driving force on a weekly basis.

From Behind

I feared the worst when Drummond fired in, but fair play to the team, they responded superbly, unlike against Walsall when they didn't. They were behind for just 4 minutes when Hutchinson's rocket flew in. And they held their own before Holicek's winner sent Gresty Road crazy. Now, there is a concern that in each of their last 4 home games including this one, they've conceded first.

They can't keep giving themselves mountains to climb, especially with 3 fellow top 7 left to visit them. But if they continue to show fighting spirit to come from behind to get a result, as they've now done in 5 of their last 13 games to rescue 9 points, then they have every shot at making the top 7 as we head into the final 6 games.

Ref Assessment

It's the inconsistency which drives me mad. Ok, he kept his whistle quiet and let several pushes go in both directions, fine. But then he reverted to type and started giving soft fouls all over the place. How neither Drummond nor Fondop got booked for lunging tackles was baffling, as was Sanders getting booked for holding a player only seconds after Monthe did the same with Thibaut.

Management Assessment

Doing their best with another short hand yet again. They ended the game with 3 strikers on the pitch, not something I'm sure they were too happy with but needs must. They'll be happy to have surpassed last seasons points total with 6 games left to go.

Player Assessments

Ian Lawlor

Made a couple of decent saves, nothing too fancy but was solid in what he was asked to do. Except when he was a bit slow off his line and had a few miscommunications with his defenders. But overall he was fine.

Lewis Billington

Had a tough time against Stevens, but I felt he was his usual solid self defensively but again struggled to get up the pitch and support the attack, not that Lankester and O'Reilly helped him in that regard.

James Connolly

Had a tough game against the excellent Fondop and then the lively Kavanagh, but neither scored, so I'll absolutely take it.

Alfie Pond

He too had a tough day as shown by the booking for dragging back Fondop, but again, its a results business and the fact is, he did his job just about.

Reece Hutchinson

Battled gamely against Drummond, who gave him a difficult afternoon. But he was excellent going forward and he capped off his game with a stunning finish. He's got his own personal goal of the season competition going. He doesn't score bad goals does he?!

Matus Holicek MOTM

Was quiet at times, but a goal and an assist whilst playing in 3 different positions will more than suffice. He needs a run at 1 spot, not moved from pillar to post. Can he not have a go on the left wing?

Max Sanders

Coped admirably well against the lively Wood and Pett. When the Alex were able to get on the front foot, he was involved in everything good they did, especially in the 2nd half. A good display.

Jack Lankester

Should have done better with a relatively clear sight of goal in the 1st half. His half time withdrawal is a worry. I don't think it's fair to compare him to Chris Long, but his struggles to remain on the pitch are a big concern.

Tommi O'Reilly

Involved in everything good the Alex did, but his decision making/execution was off unfortunately. I get him going for goal with that drive in the 2nd half, but he either needs to bury it or find a way to square it to Tezgel. He can't be hitting the keeper in that position.

Josh March

He has moments where he looks comfortable on the left, but he got drawn inside too often which left them lopsided in attack. Had a couple of first half chances which he could have done better with, but he grafted and won a lot of headers.

Emre Tezgel

Gave Monthe and Daniels some problems, but was isolated and lacked support at times. Still, he was a handful and should have scored just before half time.

Subs:

Jack Powell

A relatively decent cameo from him, as he got stuck in and gave them a bit of composure in the midfield.

Adrien Thibaut

A mixed bag. Some really nice touches and moments, but then some not to great ones either.

Omar Bogle

Only on for a few minutes.

Overall Verdict

The Alex head into Easter ahead of where they were last season, with back to back wins and in the top 7. Yes, other teams have games in hand blah blah blah. Let's just enjoy it for as long as it lasts. They now play their final struggler of the season in Accrington. They absolutely need to be getting a win there if they want to make the play-offs. No ifs, buts or maybes. Do that and then they can focus on the final 5.