Grimsby Town 3-2 Crewe Alex 25-26 Review - Fat Lady

Well, they stayed in the promotion race for 43 games. That's something right? It's time to start writing your season reviews of the Alex's 25-26 campaign. Because barring a complete miracle, they will be playing League Two football again in 2026-27. In a crunch must win game at Grimsby, the Alex not only didn't turn up, but they got badly outplayed by a side that wanted it more, but also were just better than them in every regard.

This is my review of their likely season ending defeat at Blundell Park:

Experience

You can't give the opposition a leg up in any game and you especially can't do it in a game of this magnitude. Well, that's what Mickey Demetriou and Ian Lawlor did with their horrendous mix up that allowed Andy Cook to nip in and lob home the opener. And yes, it's on both of them. Why Lawlor came charging out the way he did, I don't know. Why Demetriou didn't just deal with it and let it bounce several times, I don't know. From 2 of your most experienced players, it's inexcusable.

Better

Yes, look at various things which didn't go for them. The 2nd goal probably did have a foul from Cook on Connolly in the build up. But the fact is, Grimsby were the better side today. They were quicker, sharper, played with a decent amount of quality and actually ignored the poor pitch and blowy conditions to play some good football.

Bell is quick to look at bobbly pitches and just abandon any attempts to play football. You can play on them, as Grimsby proved today. The football this season has been better this season than it was last season. Sorry, it has. But it needs to improve further if they want to seriously challenge for the top 7.

Whacking it

You can't watch them hoof the ball up the pitch as often as they do and think it's anything other than instructed. Which then in turn begs the question as to why it's been instructed. I understand this management group are more pragmatic and I know you have to mix things up. But too often, the game plan seems to be just to launch it up the pitch and see what happens. It's not good enough from a Crewe Alex manager and I'm really hoping Bell is asked about why that is this summer. And that he has a plan to improve it.

Fix the midfield

Speaking of which, of all the problems the Alex need to fix this summer, I'd put the midfield right at the top. If I was writing a list of all the things they need positionally in terms of free agents this summer, central midfield would be number 1. I would then highlight it, underline it, circle it multiple times and than put a stamp all over it. Release Powell, release Thomas. If Sanders goes at this point, meh.

Then find 2-3 players who have a range of abilities to complement Lunt, Luca Moore and maybe Owen Taylor next season. Mobility, a tackle, a good delivery, technical ability, some creativity. Because this season, they've been badly lacking in all these attributes in that middle area for the most part.

Positives

Yeah, these will be glossed over, but they did at least make the scoreline look respectable with 2 late goals. Granted that was after Grimsby had gone into cruise control, so I'm not going to big them up too much. O'Reilly took his penalty well and Demetriou kept battling to get his goal.

And of course, the one big positive was seeing Shilow Tracey back on the pitch. Please don't expect too much from him in the last 3 games, he's rusty after 13 months out. But it was good to see him out there once again.

Play-Off Update

God damn it Chesterfield, why did you have to give us hope by drawing today? Yes, they bizarrely dropped 2 points to Tranmere at home, which puts a huge amount of pressure on their game with Grimsby on Tuesday. That really does feel like the winner takes 7th.

Barnet scrape past Barrow and put themselves into the mix, but with the 2 teams above them having games in hand, it could all be for nothing. Still, they've given themselves a fighting chance.

Oldham look to be running out of momentum after they lost at Shrewsbury, another shock result. That's now 1 win from their last 4 as they stutter at the worst time. They still have a shot, as all they need to do is beat Barrow on Tuesday and hope for a kind result between Chesterfield and Grimsby. So it's not over for them.

It most definitely is over for Walsall. A 4-0 hammering at home to Cheltenham caps a horrible season for them. They will now be playing for pride with 3 games to go.

Ref Watch

It's blatant foul on Connolly by Cook for the 2nd, which the ref has to pull up. At 1-0 with the game in the balance, it swung things decisively in the home sides favour. But they were 1-0 up already, so I don't think it cost the Alex the game. He was still poor though.

Management Assessment

I get why some fans are done with them. I do think they've taken steps forward this season and learned some lessons from last season. But we are back to the same question: Have they reached a ceiling under Lee Bell? I'm willing to give him the summer to see what improvements and changes he makes. Because for me, he's raised the bar several notches. He now needs to raise it once again.

Player Assessments

Ian Lawlor

Atrocious for the opener. Nothing much he could do with the 2nd or 3rd. I think he's been a bit shaky in recent weeks personally. Are we starting to see why he hasn't really been a consistent first choice across his career?

Lewis Billington

Held Kabia down well, but everything else is just a repeat of what I've said before about him. He's a solid L2 RB. Is he capable of going to the next level?

James Connolly

Yes, he was fouled. But it doesn't change the fact he's a poor player who should be sent on his way this summer. Because ask yourself. If he was to be released, does he get picked up by another EFL team? My quick answer is: no.

Mickey Demetriou

Also atrocious. I know Lawlor distracts him, but Mickey signalled for him to stay and he did. Why then did he let it bounce twice and give Cook the opportunity to pounce. He badly needs some help in the transfer window this summer, because father time is sapping him rapidly.

Reece Hutchinson

He's gassed. That's fine, I thought he'd be done physically weeks ago. But to watch him get breezed past for the 3rd shows he's running on fumes.

Max Sanders

He's still likely the POTS winner, but we can be honest and admit he hasn't been anywhere near as good as he was pre-Christmas. That's fine, I'll wish him well should he depart in the summer.

Jack Powell

Tried to get it down, but he lacks the mobility to play in a 2 man midfield, he can't tackle and aside from occasionally at set pieces, he offers nothing creativity from open play. Move on.

Tommi O'Reilly MOTM

Tried his best once again and I don't hold him responsible for anything that went wrong. Took his penalty beautifully.

Matus Holicek

More of the same I'm afraid. Failed to impose himself in a game that was perfect for him to do so. Only really improved once Grimsby sat off.

Josh March

Stop playing him on the left wing. Please. I get you can't drop Tezgel right now, but playing March out of position achieves nothing.

Emre Tezgel

Missed 2 more big chances. He's been excellent for the most part, but I will remember his loan for both the chances he took and the ones he didn't in equal measure. I've never seen a player win and potentially cost a team as many points as he has.

Subs:

Calum Agius

On the pitch apparently. I get he was shoved at RWB, which doesn't help, but his lack of impact in the last few months has been really disappointing.

Adrien Thibaut

A nuisance, but as I've asked before, is he any more than a 3rd choice striker at this point? Would the Alex really regret letting him go in the summer?

Omar Bogle

Came on and added zilch. Yet again. Again, my sympathies for his off field issues. But let's move on and allow him to depart this summer. Please.

Shilow Tracey

Great to see him back on and get a few touches at least. His homecoming next week will be something to look forward to.

Overall Verdict

A season of nearly moments. Of small signs of progress, but too many missed opportunities. One we can look back on in the coming years with a mix of pride and regret. I know I said in the opening that their season is over, and it pretty much is. But a draw at the SMH Stadium on Tuesday and let's see what Saturday brings.