Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Crewe Alex 24/25 Review - Resilience

For the second week in a row, we saw the Alex did in and grind out a result. However, unlike last week where they beat a flawed Gillingham team(that just lost at home to 23rd placed Accrington today btw), today they drew to a Doncaster team that has universally run over most opponents who've come to the Keepmoat since last March. This could prove a very useful point come the end of the season. This is my review of the game:

Tactical Masterclass

Bell and his management group don't get it right every week. But for almost the last 2 months, they have been getting. itspot on. We can still look back and wonder whether that 4 game stretch between Swindon and Accrington needed to be that dull, but to their credit, the management have now got this team playing football and looking like the Crewe of last season.

And part of that is the tactics that seem to be working. Down several key players, there was no way they could go toe to toe with Donny today. So, they set up to let Donny have the ball in non-dangerous areas. They flipped between a 5-3-2 and a 4-4-2 to mostly nullify Donny's attacks. They are not only confusing opposition managers on a weekly basis, but they are getting a tune out of their squad as well. We've seen some really good management over the last few weeks and it deserves praise.

Caught on the Counter

If there was one criticism from today, it was the manner in which they conceded a goal. If you are leading 1-0 away from home against a promotion contender, you should never be done on the counter attack like they were. That should only happen in the dying stages of a match you're losing. Bell said he would look at how it happened and whether too many players were caught in the wrong positions, but it was frustrating to let a hard earned lead slip away through what felt like a very avoidable situation.

No Attackers

Yes, we can have high hopes for Adrien Thibaut after his strong early start. And Fin Roberts and Callum Agius after promising EFL Trophy games. But the fact is, they shouldn't be relied on to change games. We should be relying on players who weren't in the squad today. Jack Lankester now joins Kane Hemmings in being sidelined until sometime in December, as he nurses a 6 week hamstring injury. Add them to Bogle and Long and it left the Alex with barely any fit senior attackers. It's a very frustrating situation, but yet again, one that could have been avoided.

Pressure

Anyway, that's enough criticism. The players on the pitch today did themselves and the club proud. The stats will suggest that Donny battered the Alex, but up until the 71st minute, they had a 0.56 xG. It was only in the final 20 minutes, once the Alex took off Sanders and weakened their midfield(likely to protect Sanders) that Donny were able to get on top and start creating good chances.

And they did miss some big ones after they equalised. A Demetriou clearance from Ironside, Hurst blazing over, Sharp missing a free header in the 6 yard box. But the takeaway was that the Alex didn't buckle when we've seen previous versions of this team do so many times in the past, including twice on this ground. They stood up, dug in and got a well earned point.

A point gained

And that for me is the main takeaway. It says a lot that they came away with a point and will feel a little bit aggrieved to have not taken 3. Donny only got back into the game from the Alex's naive defending. Conway's superbly taken first goal in professional football deserved to be the game winner, but it wasn't to be. But we can't feel too disappointed with a point. It was a point more than I think most of us expected to get in the days leading up to this game and especially at 2pm when the team sheet was announced.

Not many teams will go to the Keepmoat and emerge with a result. The Alex did and deserved to. This is a valuable point and definitely one gained, rather than 2 dropped.

Ref Assessment

I thought he was fine. Yeah, there were a few decisions you question, but I thought the penalty shout on Tracey was spot on personally. Not a lot to complain about.

Management Assessment

As I mentioned above, it's to their credit that they are getting a tune out of this depleted group, especially against the better teams in the league now. They can feel satisfied with 4 well earned points from Gillingham and Doncaster.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Nothing he could do with the goal, but his save from Gibson's free kick was outstanding in the 1st half. Made all his catches and kicks and was error free.

James Connolly

Had a few tough moments, but he made the loss of Knight-Lebel bearable with a solid display at RCB.

Mickey Demetriou

A typical performance from him. Not sure I'd have him as the Alex's best player, but this was another strong game from him.

Zac Williams

Got an assist on Conway's goal and looked assured in keeping the dangerous Molyneux quiet.

Ryan Cooney

A quieter game, but a solid one as he held Gibson in check for the most part. Had a chance in the 1st half which he couldn't quite get a connection on.

Max Sanders

A very good display in the centre of midfield. I loved his willingness to offer for the ball, which not every midfielder at the club does. 85% passing success rate, the Alex got weaker when he went off.

Kian Breckin

Sometimes operated in a 2 man midfield with Sanders, sometimes he was pushed out wide on the right. He worked hard and grafted.

Joel Tabiner

A quiet game from him, he had his moments, but unfortunately, he keeps finding it difficult to get into games. His 24 touches were the 2nd fewest in the team behind Tracey. Needs to be more of an influence away from set pieces.

Max Conway MOTM

It wasn't just his goal, it was his all round display which impressed me. He won 4 of his 6 ariel duals, helped keep Sterry and Molyneux quiet and as for his run and finish. Chefs Kiss.

Matus Holicek

Found it tough in a false 9 role alongside Tracey. He got involved and looked lively, but he finds it tough to get into areas to either create or score a goal consistently. It wasn't his fault today mind.

Shilow Tracey

He's always available, which is more than can be said for most of his fellow attackers. He worked hard and caused Donny some problems, but he lacked the end product to make more out of 2 dangerous 1st half attacks.

Subs:

Adrien Thibaut

Picked up a tactical booking and he put himself about, but he never looked like adding to his impressive goal contribution tally.

Owen Lunt

Didn't shy away in midfield, made some understandable mistakes but acquitted himself well overall.

Lewis Billington

Came on for the final 10 minutes, only got 8 touches.

Overall Verdict

As I said, this is a well earned and valuable point gained. They just need to keep picking up points whatever way they can whilst they wait and hope for some of the injured players to return. Onto a very winnable game with Salford.