Crewe Alex 3-2 Carlisle United 24/25 Review - Season Defining

Let's not undersell the importance of this result. This could be the moment we look back on in May, when we're celebrating making the play-offs or maybe even the top 3 and say that it was these 3 points that were the turning point in a season that to be honest, had been drifting over the last few weeks. Yes, there are cracks that we'll discuss shortly. And 1 win doesn't make a promotion, but this could be monumental in their season. Let's break down the game:

Negatives

Everyone is on a high, so I won't pop that balloon by focusing on the negatives. But they do need to be discussed. For good portions of the first 85 minutes of that game, the Alex looked 2nd best. They were slow, lethargic, 2nd to every ball and looked on course for a dismal defeat. The final 10 minutes doesn't excuse the majority of the game and there has to be an inquest as to what led to that. Players, management, tactics, all deserve some discussion. Because if they play like they did today in the majority, then they will continue to struggle to win games.

Carlisle

Let's give credit to what must be a gutted opposition. They were excellent for the majority of the game. Their high tempo, quick pressing style caused the Alex plenty of issues. They capitalised on some generous Alex defending for both goals and looked all set for a huge win that would have seen them move to within 1 point of safety. They'll be wondering how they threw it all away, but if they play like they did today, they won't be in danger for long.

Subs

I've been critical of the subs made by Lee Bell in recent weeks. But he got them spot on today. Long's race was run and Tracey needed to come off. Thankfully they had the depth on the bench in Bogle and Lankester that came up trumps. Powell looked back to his old self in his 15 minute cameo and also helped swing the game back in their direction. Charlie Finney was bright and it's no surprise the 3rd goal came down their left hand side either. The subs totally changed the game and this shows what can happen if you make them in a timely fashion.

Big Players Step Up

I've felt some needed to up their levels for a while now. But my goodness, did the key players show up today when they were really needed. 2 assists for Matus Holicek, who continues to improve and impress. One for Jack Powell, a beautiful cross for the equaliser.

A goal for Omar Bogle, who redeemed himself after a horrendous miss minutes earlier. One for the returning Chris Long, who needs to make himself a factor in the 2nd half of the season. And one for who else, but Jack Lankester, the key to their promotion hopes. They have enough attacking quality to be in the promotion race, but they haven't shown it often enough to win more games. Let this be the confidence boost they need to find the goals that will bank them more wins.

Ref Assessment

Some of his decisions were farcical. The penalty shout towards the end, with the Carlisle player's arm being above his head to stop a cross. The time wasting, especially from their keeper. He wasn't good and it said a lot when even the Carlisle fans were singing "you're not fit to referee".

Management Assessment

The team they started with was fine. But they have to get to the bottom of why they're struggling to control games and why they needed the subs to bail out what was, to that point, a pretty dismal defeat. The win papers over some of the cracks, so hopefully they know there is still work to do, on and off the field, to keep this promotion run going.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Nothing he could for either goal as his defence hung him out to dry. Made a couple of routine stops and his distribution towards the end was excellent.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

Solid for the most part, I didn't think either goal was on him. Did get a booking which looked very harsh. Does he stay beyond this window is the question now. Let's hope he does.

Mickey Demetriou

He needs games off. There is no shame in admitting that whilst he doesn't get injured, he can't play 46 league games every season to a high enough level. He was all at sea for both the Carlisle goals. You can't not start him against Bromley, but I think sprinkling in off days is really important, as he's finding things tough at the moment.

Zac Williams

He was looking ok in the first half and had a decent effort well saved. But his half time withdrawal raises concerns, as does him picking up booking number 7, which puts him just 3 off 2 game ban with 14 games left until the next cut off.

Ryan Cooney

His head injury was a terrible shame for 2 reasons. One, it killed the attacking momentum they'd built up in the 2nd half and two, he didn't recover from it and came off with concussion like symptoms. If he misses Sunday, who replaces him? They could do with getting in a wing back in quick order. He was unfortunate not to score just after the hour.

Matus Holicek MOTM

Another excellent display. He's their best performing midfielder right now. 2 assists, including an inch perfect cross for the winner, capped off what was an excellent display. Is it time to start worrying about teams making a move in January?

Max Sanders

A solid display where he kept things ticking and moving along. Can him and Powell share the pitch? Might be time to find out more often.

Joel Tabiner

A decent enough display, but he lost the ball in a dangerous spot a few times. And the fact is, Powell has as many assists as him in 1 start and 6 sub appearances as he does 17 starts. When is his place in jeopardy?

Max Conway

A hit and miss game up until the final move of the game, where we saw him summed up. He battled back and won the ball to not only stop a Carlisle counter attack, but get the Alex on the attack again. That's good. But then he did his usual trick of taking too many touches and almost running out of space to make what was a simple pass to Holicek. That's bad. But thankfully he was able to get it out to Holicek and the rest is history. He is so close to greatness, but he just needs to simplify his game.

Chris Long

A decent outing in what was a surprise and rare league start. He came close early and whilst he should have buried what eventually turned into the equaliser, he got a bit of fortune as the ball bounced in off the bar. He faded in the 2nd half and I still think they need a reliable striker for when his next injury flares up, but today was a good day for him.

Shilow Tracey

He doesn't need to start every week. I get why he does at times, but when you look at his goal production stats since his goal against Notts County, it says that he could and probably should be on the bench more going forward.

Subs:

James Connolly

Had some nice passes, but he found playing at LCB tricky. Why not put him in the middle of the back 3 and move Demetriou to LCB, where he can carry the ball forward more easily?

Jack Lankester

He'd struggled to find any joy before Carlisle gave him the freedom of Gresty Road to smash in the winner. What a player he is. And how crucial is it that he stays fit for the rest of the season?

Charlie Finney

Brought on when he probably wasn't expecting to. Hard to judge him on a final frantic 20 minutes.

Omar Bogle

His shocking miss was redeemed with a well placed header for the equaliser. It shows that if you give him good service, he can score goals. Does he start on Sunday?

Jack Powell

Made a huge difference, although this was against a Carlisle side that was sitting deeper and deeper as time ticked by. I would start him in place of Tabiner on Sunday against Bromley.

Overall Verdict

It's a huge 3 points which moves them back into the top 7. If they can follow this up with another 3 points against Bromley, then it'll represent an excellent start to the year. The all round performance needs a lot of work and they have needs in the transfer market at striker, RWB and CM. But a come from behind win in injury time is to be enjoyed. So let's do just that. If this is a sign of things to come in 2025, then they'll be in for a very good year.