Crewe Alex 2-3 Morecambe 23/24 Review - Home DIScomforts

This team have problems playing at home. Really big problems. And as I keep saying, it's been an issue all season. The results have been there. But today, their shaky all round process came back to bite them as they totally collapsed from a 2-0 advantage to lose. It's a massive concern and I can't understand why it's happening. Here is my attempt at breaking down what went wrong today:

Comeback Kings

I called it. I said in my preview the Alex had to beware of Morecambe on the road, given how they'd overturned deficits against MK Dons, Crawley, Tranmere and Wimbledon. They carried a threat on the break today and they took their chances, scoring 3 of the 4 efforts on target they had. It's usually the Alex being clinical against their opponents. Today the reverse happened.

What is a penalty?

Does anyone know? Well, Farai Hallam doesn't know. Twice he watched Demetriou get wrestled to the floor in the penalty area and didn't give anything. He simply has to give them. Has to. The 2nd one was at 2-0. Get that, go 3-0 up and it's game over. But he didn't. And to be honest, it capped an honestly atrocious afternoon from the rookie ref. One of the worst I've ever seen. Hopefully his next Crewe game isn't for a long long time.

Shots

Everyone knows I've been Harvey Davies' biggest defender. But even I can't deny that anytime he has to face shots, the Alex concede goals. I didn't have the best angle of the first he conceded, but it seemed to go straight through him. Then on the equaliser, he parried the ball back into the middle of the area, a big no-no. He gets another game to show this isn't his old issues creeping back in. But it's a concern.

Chances

But, let's not pretend the Alex didn't have their chances. Demetriou missed a free header at 2-0, shortly before they scored. Zac Williams blazed over late on, then Austerfield and CBR somehow failed to score from yards out. I don't often reference stats, but 64% possession, 25 shots, 10 on target, a 2.43 xG compared to 0.60 for Morecambe suggest the Alex should have won that game at a canter. But they didn't. They need to find out why so they can avoid more games like this.

Ref Rating - 0

Farai Hallam needs several more years in mens football. Because he hasn't got a clue about even the basics of refeering. No clue what a foul is, no clue what a penalty is, bookings that never were. Worst ref the Alex have had this season, even worse than Scott Jackson or David Rock. Abysmal.

Management Rating - 5

I feel for them. They made the changes just after the hour mark and both made sense. But it backfired when they collapsed and then had nothing in attack to bring off the bench to change shape and go for it. I don't blame them for that, but they have got to get to the bottom of this team's home jitters.

Player Ratings

Harvey Davies - 5

Was generally solid, but the first 2 goals are a concern. Needs a damn good game next week, otherwise the calls for Booth to be recalled will grow rapidly.

Lewis Billington - 6

Got caught out of position once or twice, but overall he was solid. It's an issue that him and Tracey don't seem to have any understanding on the right hand side. Does he have the attacking chops to stick at RB?

Ed Turns - 5

Got caught out once or twice and whenever you are part of a defence that concedes 3 goals, you aren't getting a high score.

Mickey Demetriou - 4

Same for Demetriou. Did his lunge put Davies off on the first goal? Where was he on goals 2 and 3? Slipped over constantly, made a few lax passes at inopportune moments. Yes he should have had 2 penalties, but defensively he wasn't great today.

Rio Adebisi - 5

Got forward well, but too often I felt him and Kirk found themselves 30 yards apart from each other. And too often he drifted miles away from the left hand side. I like the fact they have freedom to roam, but positional discipline is needed on occasion.

Conor Thomas - 7 MOTM

Superb for the first 65 minutes, not sure he was responsible for anything in the last 25. My man of the match.

Josh Austerfield - 5

Was a bit in and out of the game. Still not sure what sort of midfielder he is. Doesn't look entirely comfortable in the box-to-box role the Alex have him in. Did get clattered on multiple occasions, not a bad performance, but not great either. Should have scored in stoppage time.

Matus Holicek - 5

His assist masks what I thought was a so-so game from him, where he drifted around, found pockets of space, but struggled to make things happen. That's fine, he's young and still learning. When it clicks he'll be incredible. It's just not quite clicking yet.

Shilow Tracey - 7

Some poor touches from him, but he got a much, much needed goal with a powerful top corner finish. His first goal since late September and his first at home, he was lively and looked a threat on the right, even if his first touch was a bit poor at times.

Elliott Nevitt - 7

Another battling performance and another goal. What more can you ask for? Close shout for man of the match.

Charlie Kirk - 6

Some nice moments and he continues to look a cut above. He was robbed of another assist for Nevitt, this time because the keeper saved Nevs first attempt. Like I said with Adebisi though, I'd like to see those 2 play closer together. Too often he drifted off the left wing into traffic and didn't isolate his full back.

Subs:

Courtney Baker-Richardson - 2

Woeful. I've felt it for a while, but rarely do I think he gives 110% effort every week. Often when he comes off the bench, he'll stroll around for 20 minutes and you'll forget he was even on the pitch. I get it, he wants to be a starter. Well, he isn't giving them any case for that. How he missed that late chance I don't know, it looked easier to score.

That being said, any personal abuse directed to him is a disgrace and totally not on.

Aaron Rowe - 0

Tabiner should be back next week. Rowe doesn't make the squad. Twice he got the ball on the edge of the box and twice he blazed well over. And he's been doing it to no effect all season. I'm bored of him. 1 goal and 1 assist in his last 14 games. Not good enough.

Lewis Leigh - 5

Some tiday touches in the middle and forced a fairly comfortable save from Mair from a free kick. Wasn't too bad.

Zac Williams - N/A

Great to see him back. Shame he missed a sitter to equalise.

Overall Verdict

The inquest into what went wrong needs to be deep on Monday. It's been an issue all season with regards to their home performances(not results). At least next week they are back on the road, where they've looked more comfortable since the turn of the year. And in truth where almost all of their best performances have come.