Crewe Alex 4-1 Cheltenham Town 25-26 Review - Similar Blueprint

I told you the Alex are good on New Year's Day. Whilst you can set your watch by the fact they'll struggle in December, something about the calendar flipping to a new year seems to rejuvenate them. And so they picked up a massively important 3 points, once again confirming the manager has 9 lives and can get a response from his players when his back is against the wall. This is my review of their 3 points against Cheltenham:

Blueprint

The blueprint from the first 4 games of the season was clear. Fast first half, get themselves in front quickly and then professionally see the game out in the 2nd half. It's been hard to replicate that in the last few months, but today it was back, sort of. The Alex, with 9 of the 11 that started on the opening day once again in the line up, looked ready to play. A goal inside a minute from Matus Holicek and a 2nd from Josh March 20 minutes later had the Alex in control and despite some nervy moments in the 2nd half, they never truly looked like conceding more than the 1 they did give up. They even added some gloss with a James Connolly flick from the edge of the box and a March header. It was a win very much in the blueprint of the wins against Salford, Accrington and Fleetwood.

Injuries

I have no doubt that the starting XI from the Newport game on Monday doesn't win today. I also think that had the team today started against Newport, then that result is a different story. With March and Demetriou back in the starting XI, they looked a different animal. Both are playing through the pain barrier and aren't 100%, hence their withdrawals today. But them being fit enough for 83 minutes is massive for the Alex, who are fighting to stay in top 7 contention.

Thomas too was back and it's left them with just 5 injured players left in the treatment room in Tabiner, Tracey, Tezgel, Lankester and Golding. It's a big if, but IF the Alex can keep most of today's squad fit, get Lankester and Tezgel fit and get some quality in at CB, full back and midifield, then they can have a successful season still.

Key Contributions

A lot of players needed big games and boy did they get them. March only had 1 goal since returning from his hamstring injury, but 2 today will give him a huge boost of confidence. The same goes for Matus Holicek, who's season hasn't got going. He was excellent today and deserved the opener for his hard work and determination to force the initial chance for Agius.

The 3rd came from a hopeful Demetriou pot shot and James Connolly trying an impudent flick towards goal. Yes, Joe Day should save it, but as a Crewe fan, I don't care. Connolly only needs 4 more now and we'll call it even on the mistakes he's made in the last few games. I kid, I kid.

Demetriou was rusty and made a couple of un-Demetriou like errors, but he still made a huge difference to the back line. Whilst a lot of talk at the moment is about young players playing, it's their veterans which are proving to be the difference makers.

A Fortress?

I mentioned it in the preview to this game, but now the Alex have now put up a 6 game unbeaten run at home. Again, the 2 draws against Newport and Bristol Rovers were disappointing, but they were closer to winning those games than losing them. And what's more, they are scoring goals for fun at home. 16 goals in their last 6 will definitely work. Yes, more is needed at the back, as their haven't kept a clean sheet at Gresty Road since August, but 3-3-0 with a +6 GD is huge for their confidence.

And with 2 winnable games against Harrogate and Barrow to come at Gresty Road in the coming weeks, they have a great chance to improve that record even further. That's easier said than done I'll admit. However, before all that, they head south to finish the festive schedule. Hopefully they can grab any sort of result at Barnet on Sunday to build on this win.

Referee Assessment

Some decisions I didn't agree with, but for the most part he handled an easy game well.

Management Assessment

With the players they had available, they picked virtually the same line up as the opening day and it brought them a good performance and 3 much needed points. As Bell alluded to though, he knows the players have a response in them. Do they have some consistency, which we were teased with a little bit a month ago?

Player Assessments

Sam Waller

Another goal that goes straight through him, but it was 1-on-1 so I won't blame him too much. His kicking is still not great, but he was solid in his other work.

Lewis Billington

Give some problems by first Adelakun then Thomas, but for the most part he was fine back at RB.

James Connolly

A much needed goal contribution at the right end, I thought he was actually the better of the 2 CBs today and was pretty faultless, which was very welcome. Perhaps no individual in the whole misses Demetriou as much as he does.

Mickey Demetriou

He helped create the 3rd, but did make a major mistake for Miller's goal. Given he was doing jumping fist pumps at FT, I'm assuming his withdrawal on 83 minutes was to protect him.

Reece Hutchinson

Another solid display down the left. Even when he's not contributing in attack, he's a steady 6/10 every week.

Owen Lunt

One of his better games in a deeper role, he won a lot of duels and kept things ticking along.

Max Sanders

Another decent effort from the Colonel. I get his subbing off, as he's covered a lot of ground in the last few games and finished every one. If he does down for any lengthy period of time, you can pack it up and call it a day.

Tommi O'Reilly

I'm not sure why he's not being credited with an assist on Josh March's 1st goal, but he definitely should get one. He came close with a first half shot and he was rightfully subbed off in the 2nd half to rest his legs.

Matus Holicek MOTM

His best game of the season and his best probably since the early parts of 2025. He forced the initial chance for Agius and was in the right place to score his first goal since last February.

Calum Agius

Back amongst the chances, he probably should have done better on the opening goal, but he came close in the 2nd half and was much more involved, which is good to see. He also got the assist on the 4th with a lovely free kick.

Josh March

2 well taken goals, especially the 2nd, to take his tally to 6 for the season. He worked himself into the ground as usual and I was pleased to see him come off to rest him up. With Tezgel out, they desperately need to keep him fit, as a line being led by Bogle, Moult or Thibaut is a big downgrade.

Subs:

Charlie Finney

He wasn't noticeable, which is a big improvement on his last couple of home appearances.

Omar Bogle

A really lively introduction as he held the ball well and brought others into play.

Conor Thomas

Not much chance to contribute in just 20 minutes of game, but his return is a welcome one.

Jack Powell

Also not much chance to do anything.

Phil Croker

Noticeable clearing some balls out of the box in his EFL debut. Can they keep sprinkling in sub appearances for him?

Overall Verdict

A much needed and much deserved win. If they can get something from Sunday at the Hive, then things suddenly start to look up. But that in itself has been the issue. Their longest unbeaten run has been 4. Can this be the start of a new run?