Crewe Alex 25/26 Monthly Review - August

Hmm, how to view August? Look solely at the first 4 league games, it has been a stunning success. Look solely at the last 2 league games and it's been a bitterly disappointing failure. So I suppose reality is somewhere in the middle, where we accept that we'd all have taken 12 points from their busiest month of the season until January, in a month where they are missing bodies both internally and externally and are still gelling as a team. Let's look back at August and see how they did:

Looking Back

There was a sense of trepidation as they opened the season with a relatively short trip north to face Salford, in a ground where they had never won. That run looked set to continue when Salford were awarded a 4th minute penalty for a pull by Demetriou. Thankfully Tom Booth stepped up and tipped the penalty around the post. The Alex used that reprieve to go ahead through an own goal, as Cole Stockton's attempted clearance of a James Connolly shot went in off Kadeem Harris.

Harris equalised shortly afterwards, but 2 quick fire goals, both from Conor Thomas of all people, had the Alex 3-1 up at the break as they blew Salford away with some incredible attacking play. They then professionally saw the game out in the 2nd half and even missed chances to extend their lead, but in the end settled for a 3-1 win.

Next up was one of their bogey sides in Accrington, who they hadn't beaten at Gresty Road since 2017. In a repeat of the Salford game, a strong first half performance and 2 wonder goals from Reece Hutchinson and Calum Agius had the Alex cruising 2-0 up. The 2nd half was more of a drab affair as once again the Alex saw out a comfy win.

The League Cup was next and a heavily rotated Alex side boasting 9 changes came up against a less rotated Stockport at Edgeley Park. After a battling first half display where they kept it at 0-0, County's extra quality told in the 2nd half as goals from Kyle Wootton, Nathan Lowe and Lewis Fiorini did the damage. Emre Tezgel's late header was no more than a consolation for the Alex as they exited the cup at the first hurdle for the 2nd year running.

They quickly put that disappointment behind them as saw off another limited opponent in Crawley at home. Once again, a fine first half display had them leading 1-0 via a Tommi O'Reilly strike. Crawley threatened a comeback in the 2nd half, but the Alex once again saw the game out with limited fuss and picked up their 3rd straight win.

Win number 4 was to come at Fleetwood, as they dominated and demolished the Cod. 2 goals in the first half from a Toby Mullarkey own goal and Josh March's 1st goal for the club, then 2 quick fire 2nd half goals from Calum Agius and Reece Hutchinson put the Alex into an incredible 4-0 lead. The only blot on the copy book was a penalty given away that Booth was unable to save this time. Still, a 4-1 win was nothing to complain about.

They went south to Gillingham looking for their 5th straight win for the first time since 2002-03, but they were unable to do so as they missed a glut of excellent chances. Then as the game looked to be heading for a 0-0, poor defending allowed Sam Gale to poke home the winner in the 88th minute.

Swindon at home offered the chance to finish the month strongly, but boy did they blow that chance. An early deflected strike from Gavin Kilkenny had them trailing, but they were starting to come back into the game until a horrendous Tom Booth error made it 2-0 just before half time. 2 quickly became 3 as the defence parted like the red seas to allow Swindon to put the game to bed before half time. No response was forthcoming in the 2nd half and the Alex ended the month with another heavy home loss.

U21s

The U21's, unsurprisingly, suffered a tough start to their season as the first team drew away development squad players and left Mike Jackson to once again pick only U18s. They lost their opening game 3-2 at Swansea, going 3-0 down before goals from Luca Moore and scholar Will Holt threatened a comeback.

In their next game they lost 3-0 at home to Cardiff with only 3 contracted players playing. However, they did end strong by beating Millwall on the road 3-2, with 2 more goals from Moore and one from scholar Patrick Mlynarski. The Alex's lack of Tuesday games in the coming months should allow plenty of game time at this level for their younger contracted players.

U18s

The U18s had a better time of things in their start to the season. 7 points were banked from their first 4 games. 2 decent away wins over QPR and Colchester were bagged and 1 point was picked up from 2 home games against Bournemouth(Cat 1 last season) and Bristol City. That's a solid return for the new look group.

Injuries

The Alex won't ever have a clear treatment room unfortunately as Joel Tabiner has just undergone surgery for his ACL injury and will now start 9-12 months of rehab. Shilow Tracey is soon to be running on grass, but his return is likely several months away at least.

In better news, they've picked up no new serious injuries in the last month and they look soon to be welcoming back both Matus Holicek and Jack Lankester. So this list for now is mercifully short.

Player	Injury	Possible Return Date
Conor Thomas(CM)	???	???
Matus Holicek(LW)	Groin	Early September 2025
Jack Lankester(RW)	Meniscus	Late September 2025
Shilow Tracey(RW/ST)	Broken Leg	Late 2025
Joel Tabiner(RW/CM)	ACL	Summer 2026

Loans

Fin Roberts has had a mixed month in and out of the Chester team. He scored in his opening game but has been quieter since then as the Seals battle to try and get some form together in what has been a poor month results wise. But at least he is getting game time.

Which is more than can be said for Zac Williams at Kilmarnock. He made the squad for a league cup game but has been absent from the squad recently. I'm hoping that is injury based and not due to discipline/selection issues already.

Jordan Hodkin makes it a trio of players out on loan, as he linked up with Leek Town just over a week ago. Unfortunately Leek's twitter feed has been limited, so there have been limited updates on his progress, but he did play the final 6 minutes of their 3-1 win on Bank Holiday Monday.

Player of the Month

Josh March

March just edges out Owen Lunt for this pick. He has 1 goal and 4 assists and he should be on more, were it for not for several missed chances and ones created but not turned home by teammates. It's been a decent opening month for him.

Previous Picks:

N/A

Step It Up

Emre Tezgel

I just don't see the hype. Granted he's not yet started in the league, so picking him feels a touch harsh. But through the first 6 games, I've seen little to impress me. I think he needs a run of starts now to show if he can hack it at this level.

Previous Picks:

N/A

Underrated Player

Max Sanders

I was going to put Tom Booth here, but I can't after his shocker on Saturday. I need to retain some credibility. In the end, I'll go for a player that has continued to do what is asked of him and kept things ticking along as best he can.

Previous Picks:

N/A

Analysis

Hmm, where to start here? Through the first 4 games, the Alex looked outstanding. Strong in the pressing game, quick and decisive in attack, solid at the back, industrious in midfield. There was little to complain about. They seemed to have found a system that worked and the players to play it.

the first cracks appeared against Gillingham. The pressing wasn't as quick, the passing was slack and they struggled to create the number of chances they'd enjoyed through the first 4 games. That being said, they still restricted a decent Gills side to few clear chances and had enough at the other end to say they warranted at least a draw, if not more. So the concerns were at a minimum.

However, the defeat against Swindon was everything we came to despise about the 24-25 team in the 2nd half of the season. Shambolic defensively, a midfield that had more holes in it than Swiss cheese and an attack which lacked ideas and firepower.

Now we wait to see which way they swing in September. Towards the Swindon end of the scale, or the first 4 games end of the scale.

Looking Ahead

Previous Predictions:

August: 2-2-2(Actual: 4-0-2)

Well, it's safe to say August surpassed my expectations and then some, even if the back end of the month was concerning. I had them as having a mixed start and putting up 8 points from their opening 6 games. They managed 12, which is excellent. Now to see which way they go in the coming 4 games.

Optimistic Prediction: 3-1-0(Beat Barnet, Barrow and Notts County, draw with Colchester)

Pessimistic Prediction: 0-2-2(Lose to Colchester and Notts County, draw with Barnet and Barrow)

Realistic(My) Prediction: 1-2-1(Lose to Colchester, beat Barnet, draw with Barrow and Notts County)

Final Word

It's another tough month ahead in September as the league still shakes itself out and we find out who is good and who isn't. For now though, they are facing the sides currently in 17th, 15th, 18th and 13th. Yes, that will likely change, but on paper, this is a kinder month for them fixture wise, with only a meaningless Vertu Trophy game to distract them. Let's hope they can bounce back from the final week of August to put up some points.