Crewe Alex 3-2 Grimsby Town 25-26 Review - Back from the Brink

Lee Bell is a cat and has 9 lives. Confirmed. Every time you think we are approaching the point of no return for him to save his managerial career at the Alex, he pulls a result out of nowhere to save himself and buy himself longer in the role. And that's fair enough. Keep getting results like this one and nobody will be calling for him to lose his job. I hope he enjoys a nice cold pint tonight, takes the weekend off and waits until Monday to start prep for Doncaster in the cup. Here is my review of a thoroughly entertaining game and win for the Alex at Gresty Road:

On the Ropes

It's fair to say that things were on the verge of getting ugly in the first 10 minutes. Grimsby carved the Alex open several times and scored one of them, with a lovely Jamie Walker finish giving them a deserved lead. Had the Cod got that 2nd goal, then it could have been goodnight, god bless for Bell, as his team selections and the players performances screamed a group wanting a change.

Big Calls Pay Off

But, even given all the comments at 1:45pm about his team selections, his team responded in a big way. Despite struggling for the first 10 minutes, they were the better team for the majority of the rest of the game. It was far from perfect, as we'll discuss, but they had more possession, more shots on target, more passes and more xG than Grimsby.

They showed a lot of energy, fight and determination. Everything which was lacking last week against MK Dons. We've seen this fight even in recent weeks, against Notts County and Harrogate. The question now needs to be why it was so lacking against Bromley and MK. And whether they can go on a run.

Tez-Goals

The first league hat-trick by a Crewe player since Chris Dagnall at the end of the 2016-17 season. Yes, his one in the Vertu Trophy counts, but against Chesterfield's reserve side, it's barely above U21s so who honestly cares. Today though he was utterly unplayable. He should have scored earlier than he did, but he fluffed it.

Thankfully though, Grimsby's back line was in a generous mood and he had 3 more opportunities which he thankfully took, instantly catapulting him to joint top of the goalscoring charts. It was a fantastic performance and nobody else even came close to winning the MOTM award. Long may it continue. Or do I pour cold water on things by asking about a possible January recall......

A Crewe Performance

This was a proper return to the Alex of the opening 4 games. Notts County was an impressive win, but they did that despite Notts County having way more chances to win. It was a barely deserved win. Against a poor Harrogate side, they deservedly won. But this was their first win over a decent side where they were the better side since Fleetwood. They badly needed not just the win, but the level of performance. Again, now the question becomes "can they keep it going?"

Referee Assessment

I'm not sure where he got the extra minute from at the end and how he didn't produce a couple of bookings for each side, I don't know. But he wasn't god awful thankfully.

Management Assessment

They made some big shouts in starting the likes of Connolly and Finney and dropping Lankester. But it paid off, just about. They now have a pressure free week with a free hit in the cup to come. After that it's struggling Shrewsbury, where another 3 points will need to be collected. Otherwise the pressure will be right back on.

Player Assessments

Tom Booth

I'd like to see both goals back, as they seemed to go straight through him. His distribution was poor, but I might be kind and chalk that up to the conditions.

Lewis Billington

I won't be swayed from wanting to see him at CB. To be fair, he did his best to get forward and once again, he was solid defensively and kept Charles Vernam quiet.

James Connolly

Sorry, I don't want to criticise players in a win, but he wasn't great. Again, get Golding or Billington in alongside Demetriou.

Mickey Demetriou

Doing the job of both a LCB and LB as he kept having to try and cover Finney's mistakes. Both goals came down his side, but he got forward well and I don't blame him for the defensive issues.

Charlie Finney

Like Connolly, I don't want to kick players after a win, but he was poor. Both goals came down the left as he struggled with Amaluzor, who got both assists on Grimsby's goals. Can they trust him to step in for Hutchinson when needed? I'm not so sure.

Conor Thomas

Not great for me. Again, it's the same issues, where he doesn't get on the ball often enough. Can a Lunt-Sanders partnership not work with Lankester, O'Reilly, Agius and Rankine doing work in behind Tezgel?

Max Sanders

A good display and a brilliant cross for Tezgel's 3rd. He's had a couple of off weeks, so this was a welcome return to form as he was the best midfielder on the pitch.

Tommi O'Reilly

Looks so much better when the team play on the front foot. Got 2 assists but was a touch frustrating in the 2nd half. That being said, he's now one behind March in the assists column. I said he needed a break, what do I know?

Owen Lunt

This was the Lunt of the opening 4 games. Lively in the press, but I do wonder if he can work alongside Sanders in a deeper role, as sometimes they lack the legs in midfield.

Calum Agius

Still struggling to make an impact for the most part. He had the fewest touches of any player to play 90 minutes, which summed up a frustrating game. Although to be fair, he fouled every time he touched the ball.

Emre Tezgel MOTM

He was excellent even away from the goals. But he took all 3 superbly and showed exactly why he came with so much hype. Give him service and he'll flourish. Now the trick is to keep feeding him.

Subs:

Matus Holicek

Didn't have much chance to get involved, but it's good to have him back on the bench at least.

Jack Lankester

I understand why they dropped him. He's been out for 5 months and had no pre-season. Starting him every week is risking another break down, which they can't afford.

Reece Hutchinson

Another dropping I understood, he too can't play every week as they risk burning out him before Christmas.

James Golding

I wasn't a fan of bringing him on late on, even if I do understand why.

Overall Verdict

This was a huge win. Potentially a job saving win. If they can somehow sneak through against an out of form Donny next week, then suddenly the Shrewsbury game takes on a whole new complexion. The pressure has eased, but they need to build on this once again and find a run of form in November.