Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Accrington Stanley 25-26 Review - Routine

We've almost lost the feeling of what a routine win looks like haven't we? Sure, there were a few last season, but they were sporadic. And it's worth remembering that the Alex came into this game off the back of 2 wins from their last 10 competitive home games. It's going to take time to build confidence again at home and truly make Gresty Road a fortress, but wins like this one, done with the minimal amount of fuss and drama, will go a long way towards doing that. Here is my review of their 2-0 win over Accrington:

Poor

Make no mistake about it, Accrington were poor. Yes, it's only been 2 games, but they were pretty hopeless today. When the Alex turned up the pressure in the 2nd half, it was one way traffic and they couldn't live with it. They improved in the 2nd half(as the Alex also sat off), but they never really troubled Booth's goal. His clean sheet looked pretty secure from early on and again, whilst it's still early in the season, if Accy aren't in the bottom 4-6 for most of the season, I'll be very surprised.

Clean Sheet

Speaking of that clean sheet, those 2 were all to infrequent occurences at home last season. After a run of 4 straight after the Chesterfield game, they kept just 4 clean sheets at Gresty Road in their final 18 games. Clean sheets get you promoted and whilst we're a long way off thinking about that possibility, this was a building block in getting the confidence back into the team.

Superb

The first half was honestly superb. It was a mirror image of the Salford game if perhaps not quite as voluminous for shots. The football they played at times was unreal, especially in and around the penalty area. I've been critical for a while of Bell's attacking plans in the past, which too often seemed to simply be "chuck it into the box and see what drops".

Well, through the first 2 games, they've played with pace, energy and purpose in attack. Quick runs, 1-2s, shots from all angles, everyone chipping in. And whilst it sounds like a broken record, this is still an attacking group still to get back 2 of it's best attackers and is probably a body short. They are also still building chemistry and cohesion with each other. There is every chance they could get better the more they play.

Thunderbolts

Are we calling the goal of the season award now? We could do. You're not likely to see a better goal than Reece Hutchinson's opener all weekend and probably all season. Not a bad way to score your first goal on English soil. Well, Calum Agius decided he wanted in on the action and scored a blinder of his own, cutting in from the left and sticking it in the roof of the net from the edge of the box. They were 2 outstanding finishes and we'll all enjoy watching them back over the next few days.

Referee Assessment

Pretty poor. His inconsistent free kick awards for shirt pulling angered a lot of fans and could he have given a red to Charlie Brown for his reckless late lunge Booth in the 2nd half?

Management Assessment

The only nitpick is that I'd have liked to have seen them go to the bench more quickly, but it's a minor complaint. They couldn't mess up the starting XI, but the tactics we've seen from them so far are a breath of fresh air.

Player Assessments

Tom Booth

A simple and routine clean sheet. He did flap once or twice, but overall he was solid and had a fairly quiet afternoon.

Lewis Billington

Another player who had a quiet game, which is fine from your RB. He needs some competition you feel, someone that perhaps offers a bit more going forward. But generally, he was ok.

James Connolly

I'm going to find myself repeating myself, but Connolly was solid also. He'll have tougher afternoons than this against better attackers and teams, but he didn't put a foot wrong and hasn't through 2 games. Should the rumoured signing of James Golding transpire, it'll be Beefy on notice to keep performing how he has been doing so far.

Mickey Demetriou

Erm. I'm just repeating what I said for Billo and Connolly. A comfy afternoon for him where he easily mopped up what little threat Accrington had.

Reece Hutchinson

A goal of the season contender and we're only 2 games in. Not bad. The more he settles in and the more he gets to know his team mates, I'm really intrigued to see how much more he can offer going forward.

Conor Thomas

Disappointing, no goals from him today. In all seriousness, he was solid and reliable in what he was asked to do.

Max Sanders

A 96% passing success rate. Ok, it was only from 29 passes, but still. He kept things ticking along in the first half and did the hard graft off the ball in the 2nd.

Tommi O'Reilly

A really lively performance, much as it was against Salford. As he continues to build chemistry with his team mates, I'm sure the end product will come.

Owen Lunt

He was ok, but I'd have liked to have seen him a little more involved, as he had only 29 touches. Still, he's learning and building experience in what is probably a new position. He's allowed some quieter days.

Calum Agius

Uh oh, is Agius developing end product? After coming close to 2 goals last week, he did open his account for the season with a fine finish into the roof of the net from distance. I said it last week and I'll say it again, if he can realise his immense potential and keep producing finishes like that most weeks, the Alex will be in business upfront.

Josh March MOTM

We know it'll be key to keep some players fit this season. March is definitely one of them. Without his tireless running and mobility to stretch defences, the Alex would be in trouble. He now has 3 assists, which is as many as Tracey, Bogle, Hemmings, Long and Thibaut managed in the whole of last season. He's had a great start to his Alex career.

Subs:

Emre Tezgel

A bit more involved as he had longer to contribute. His running and forcing a late corner is hopefully just a small glimpse into his talent as he pushes for a start.

Louis Moult

Like Tezgel, he was more involved and he helped to hold the ball up and occupy the Accy defenders.

Jack Powell

Had little chance to much in another cameo sub appearance.

Charlie Finney

Same for Charlie.

Overall Verdict

As Rob Stark once noted, 2 victories doesn't make you conquerors, but they are better than 2 defeats. Nobody is getting carried away. They are only as good as their last result. But they can now go into the cup game at Stockport with confidence knowing that any progression is a bonus, with the focus surely on Crawley in 7 days time. I won't lie though, I am enjoying looking at that league table. Long may it continue.