Grimsby Town 0-2 Crewe Alex 24/25 Review - Lankester A Ha!

The first December win since Morecambe away in 2021. The first multi-goal away win to nil in a league game Doncaster in April 2023. And best of all, their first win over Grimsby since...a 2-0 win back in September 2019. Man, a streak that's been going on since before Covid even existed. Safe to say, this win was long, long overdue as it snapped several long streaks and left the Alex sat nicely in the top 3 as they close in on Christmas. Here is my review of the win at Blundell Park this afternoon:

Goal Contribution Machine

If Mickey Demetriou leads the recruiting class for the summer of 2023, then Jack Lankester leads the 2024 class by a long stretch. He's been excellent since finding his feet towards the end of August. He's a threat every single game and today a superbly taken goal and unselfish assist for Joel Tabiner took his total for the season to 4 goals and 5 assists for the season.

He was constant menace, having the best of the chances in the first half before he got his reward in the 2nd half. Keeping him fit is paramount to the Alex's promotion hopes this season, as he's fast turning into one of the best attackers in L2.

Frauds

Maybe this sounds harsh, but Grimsby are the most fraudulent team in L2 at the moment. Sure, they might hold a top 7 spot, but they barely deserve to be there. They played some nice football today, but they were easy to counter against and lacked firepower. No top 7 calibre team should be 0-0-4 at home against other top 7 teams.

They've proven capable of going away and grinding out wins on the road and beating the poorer teams. but today showed they are still deeply flawed and probably not quite genuine promotion contenders just yet.

Tactical Masterclass

We have to give Lee Bell and management team props for today. On the surface, the team they selected looked baffling. 6 defenders, 3 midfielders and a winger seemed like a strange outfield group to select. But fair play, the set up and game plan they were sent out with worked to a tee. It was a 3-5-2 at times, a 4-4-2 at others. Conway moved between LWB and CM. Connolly was at RB on occasion and RCB in a back 3.

The game plan off the ball worked perfectly, as they allowed Grimsby possession in non dangerous areas but weren't afraid to press. They won the ball back with sharp play and showed good amounts of movement, something I've been critical of them for portions of this season. They even created a fair amount of chances, putting 5 shots on target, which was their most in an 11 v 11 90 minute away game since Bromley. This was probably one of their top 5 performances of the season and it stems from Bell, Dicker and Lunt's smart tactical approach and bold team selection.

Bullet Dodged

Another positive out of today was the fact they managed to dodge any more suspensions. They came into the game with Sanders, Tabiner, Lankester and Knight-Lebel all flirting with bans, as they each carried 4. All of them avoided any yellows. The 3 that were booked were Williams, Demetriou and Connolly, none of whom were on 4 heading into the weekend. With the 19 game cut off reached, their next threshold is to avoid 10 by game 37. And that thankfully should be a long way off.

Stepping Up

I've been critical of a few players over the last few weeks. I'll never question their effort, but I feel like some have let their levels slip slightly and it's shown in their recent results. But today, they all responded and then some. The back 5/6 all had solid games and barely gave Grimsby a sniff. Holicek was a menace alongside Lankester despite not being a natural striker. And Tabiner and Sanders has their best games in a Crewe shirt this season I'd argue. They all played their part and hopefully it's come just in time, as they prepare for a run of 5 games in 16 days over the next few weeks.

Referee Assessment

Not the worst we've ever seen, but some of his decisions were laughable. The yellows for Connolly and Williams were ridiculous and how he judged the late foul by Bogle one is baffling. Thankfully none of his decisions affected the outcome.

Management Assessment

Superb. Forced into an unusual lineup due to the lack of fit attackers with Long, Thibaut and Hemmings sidelined and Bogle only able to go on the bench, they nailed it in every sense. They keep proving us doubters wrong. Perhaps we should stop doubting them. They clearly know what they're doing.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

A very quiet afternoon. Aside from a couple of wayward kicks, he was virtually untroubled, but took several key claims late on.

James Connolly

A decent game from him to be fair, when he faced calls from some(maybe just me) to be benched. His booking was very harsh in what was a simple coming together.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

A welcome return to the starting XI and surprise surprise, they keep a clean sheet. If they're serious about keeping him beyond January, he has to play every week.

Mickey Demetriou

Did pick up a booking, but he was his usual solid self, making some key tackles, blocks, clearances and headers in a typically commanding performance.

Ryan Cooney

Still pretty quiet, but he showed some flashes of his October form with some driving runs down the right. He looks untroubled defensively, which is positive.

Joel Tabiner

Probably his best all round game, he took his goal really well after some good interchange work with Lankester. Is he back? Way too soon to tell. He's had good games this season, but he's failed to string them together. If he can shine against a tough and physical Colchester side next week, then maybe we can say he's truly back.

Max Sanders

Another who had one of his best games in a Crewe shirt. He came close to a goal with a shot in the 2nd half, but it was his inch perfect assist on Lankester's goal which was the highlight of his day.

Max Conway

I'm trying to be positive about every player, but god he continues to frustrate the heck out of me with him taking too many touches or too many moves to beat a player. Still, even at his worst, he's a 7/10 most weeks, which is fine with me.

Matus Holicek

A brilliant hardworking performance, he deserves a lot of credit for winning the challenge that set Tabiner off on the counter attack for the second goal. The goal doesn't happen without him.

Jack Lankester MOTM

Just a menace to opposition defences. I'm not sure what's more impressive, his beautiful chip for the first or his unselfish play to pass up a shooting opportunity to set up Tabiner for the 2nd. 9 goal contributions in 14 league appearances is ridiculous.

Subs:

Owen Lunt

Got stuck in nicely and worked hard to chase down the Grimsby defenders when he could. His thunderous shot was well saved late on.

Omar Bogle

Possibly could have done better on a couple of occasions on the counter, I don't think he was bad as the stats suggest mind.

Jack Powell

I didn't even clock he'd come on. Nice to see him getting more minutes, they're going to need him over the festive period you feel.

Fin Roberts

Lively in his short cameo, he got stuck in and wasn't afraid to try and get on the ball.

Charlie Finney

Not much he could do with only 9 minutes on the pitch.

Overall Verdict

11 games unbeaten, including 6 on the road. Up to 3rd in the table. A timely win as they prepare for the busy festive period. The players stepped up today and the management nailed it tactically. They need to bring those levels in the coming weeks, starting with the game next week at a hopefully packed out Gresty Road.