Crewe Alex 2-1 Tranmere Rovers 25-26 Review - Momentus

We were all feeling it as we sat through 75 minutes that were a hard watch weren't we? Losing at home, not looking likely to score a goal, on their way to another damaging defeat. Their home form falling apart at the worst moment, just as it did last season to cost to ultimately cost the Alex a play-off spot. Well, maybe that final 15 minutes will be looked back on as a season defining 15 minutes that were one of the key moments in their campaign. I hope so anyway. Here is my review of the Alex taking 6 points off Tranmere in the same season for the first time since 2001:

A struggle

I think it would be a mistake to let the sheer joy of March's winner gloss over what was a difficult first 75 minutes. The Alex had a fair share of attacking play in that period, but Marosi in the Rovers goal was barely troubled. Tranmere defended resolutely and were sharp on the break, causing the Alex a few problems.

The Alex struggled in all aspects of their play. They were too slow, there was no movement, they stood off Tranmere and let them knock it around with ease. If they play like that in any of their last 5 home games, against far better teams than Tranmere, they will not win many of them. They do still need to do better.

Options

However, all the above being said, having senior players on the bench once again made a huge difference. He was hit and miss, but Bogle was more effective than Thibaut. Lankester added new energy(we'll talk about his miss later) and Conor Thomas of all people stepped up to smash in the equaliser. With Sanders and Tezgel hopefully back in the next week or so, the Alex could be getting a strong squad fit for the final 10-11 games of the season. They need it.

Intangibles

The final 15 minutes showed everything the Alex lacked last season. Options off the bench as previously mentioned. But most of all, key players stepping up in the biggest moments. Tommi O'Reilly swinging in a beautfiul cross. Thomas staying calm and smashing into the corner. Holicek dancing around players to win a free kick. O'Reilly finding a pocket of space to feed Josh March, who gleefully smashed home.

I felt as the Alex were chasing the game that they had the quality out there to come from behind, even if I didn't fully believe they would. Or could. But they proved that they indeed can. It was a gritty display and win, which is what promotion chasers do. Win gritty games.

Over his head

We worried before the game about a rookie ref taking charge of a game between 2 teams in close proximity to each other. Those fears were proven correct, as Harrison Blair produced a truly dreadful performance. A foul on Thibaut for a penalty, a foul in the immediate lead up to Tranmere's goal, time wasting by Marosi, not blowing up to stop the game once a flair landed on the pitch and a lot of other smaller moments in between.

He was shocking and his 3 assistant officials weren't much better, especially the 4th official who frequently allowed Andy Crosby to stray from his technical area onto the pitch. This was not the sort of game Blair should have been anywhere near.

Table

Today's win was huge not just for the players confidence, but for their position in the table as well. With Salford, Barnet, Walsall and Grimsby all winning, a defeat here would have put them right in the middle of them and Chesterfield, but with all those teams(bar Barnet) having games in hand. This win keeps them in the play-offs for another week at least. They now just have to hope for some favourable results on Tuesday.

Referee Assessment

Terrible as stated above. Hopefully it's a while before we see him and his assistants.

Management Assessment

I think they need to address the slow first halves the Alex keep having, as that is now just 1 of their last 9 where they've led at the break. I also think the starting XI didn't work, with March out wide, Agius in the middle and Holicek in a deeper role. Hopefully with players back fit in the coming weeks, they can resolve that. But credit to them for making the right changes, even when a few would have been raising their eyebrows.

Player Assessments

Ian Lawlor

Not much he could do for the goal and in truth, he was mostly untroubled aside, only having 1 save to make.

Lewis Billington

Struggled against Patrick and didn't add much going forward either. A rare bad day, but he wasn't horrendous.

Alfie Pond

Another who had a mixed game, with some decent moments and some poorer ones.

Mickey Demetriou

Made a big difference in the 2nd half as he started to dictate the tempo and direct moves. Him jumping into the attack also helped.

Reece Hutchinson

Starting to look a bit jaded, which is understandable. Not at his best going forward, as he struggled to pick out Alex players from crosses. Still, he was solid at the back.

Jack Powell

The up and down nature of him continues. Struggled against Fleetwood, did well against Swindon, struggled today. His deliveries and passing was poor. I hope Sanders is back next week, as they need to give Powell a bit of a break.

Matus Holicek

Grew into the game in the 2nd half, but I'd rather see him getting involved further up the pitch. Still, it was his terrific run which forced the foul which led to the winner, so hats off to him for that.

Tommi O'Reilly MOTM

I said leave him on the bench. Shows what I know. Once again the only Alex player who looked creative and he broke a small assist duck with 2 today, taking his total to 10. He created 2 chances from nothing as well. He was the key figure in this win.

Calum Agius

17 touches. It's nowhere near enough. I would have swapped him and March around, as he didn't seem to have any feel for the number 10 spot. Just not his day in what has been a slightly disappointing February.

Josh March

Struggled on the left wing, but got more involved once he moved centrally. Then he popped up with the winner, so you can't complain. Loved his celebration.

Adrien Thibaut

Got no service, but he probably should have got a penalty. I get the decision to hook him at half time, he probably needs to be an impact player from the bench going forward.

Subs:

Omar Bogle

Made things more difficult for Tranmere, but he couldn't quite find a moment in the box.

Conor Thomas

Who in their right minds would bring him on when chasing a goal? Well, the manager did and it paid off, as he took the ball down brilliantly and finished like a 20 goal striker. What a finish, it was a huge moment.

Jack Lankester

Delighted he's back and he was lively when he came on, but he has to bury that 1-on-1. He'll know that, but hopefully with another week of training, he can increase his minutes in the coming weeks as they'll need him.

James Connolly

Played injury time, but he's not credited with having even touched the ball.

Overall Verdict

A massive win. Well, they are all massive wins at this stage of the season. This one, in the manner it came, felt particularly big. Now they head to Bristol to see if they can keep their good run going against the resurgent Rovers.