Kidsgrove Athletic 0-6 Crewe Alex - 6 Thoughts

So, after 2 months off since the end of last season, the 25-26 got underway(sort of) today as the Alex took on Kidsgrove Athletic in the first of 7 pre-season friendlies. Now, I won't be doing a breakdown and thoughts from every game, namely because I won't be going to a few of them. It's hard to justify 80-130 mile round trips to see them play against the likes of Radcliffe, Ashton and Southport, so I doubt I'll make those games. But as this is the first one and it gives us an initial glimpse into possible plans for the 25-26 season, here are some thoughts I have, 1 for every goal scored:

Possible System?

The Alex lined up in a 4-2-3-1 to start the first half. Billington, Dancey, Connolly and Finney were the back 4 from right to left. Thomas and Powell were in midfield, whilst Agius slotted in behind the trialist(more on him in a minute) and Tabiner(RW) and Hodkin(LW) were out wide.

It was a similar system in the second half, although it was more of a 4-3-3, as Moore, Lunt and Sanders operated in midfield without a clear number 10, with Holicek(RW) and Roberts(LW) played either side of Josh March. Billington then Dancey, Croker, Williams and Armstrong were the back 4 from right to left.

Now, this system if used properly can be highly effective. The Alex got promoted playing the 4-2-3-1 in 2011-12 and the 4-3-3 in 19-20. But the worry is, they tried to implement this system 12 months ago and it was a disaster. It lasted 2 games. I hope they've put more thought into it this time around and they can make it work more effectively.

Trialists

There were 2 trialists on show. The first was easily identified as Louis Moult, the former Burton and Motherwell striker. He's from Stoke and his name has often been linked with a move to the Alex, but this time he's actually turning out in Crewe colours. He took his goal nicely today and linked up well with Tabiner, Hodkin and Agius in the 45 minutes he played. Are the Alex on the look out for another striker? Well, given the absence of a certain other striker(who we'll come on to shortly), they might well be.

Now, Moult is 33 and we saw how well signing an aging, slowing striker in Kane Hemmings worked out 12 months ago. Moult is only a couple of seasons removed from 18 goals in 33 appearances for Dundee United in the Scottish Championship, but age catches up to players quickly, so the Alex would need to be fully confident he still has the legs to hack it in L2 and give them 30 odd appearances and 5-10 goals.

As for the other trialist who was in goal, I'm informed he's a Polish keeper, but I'm unsure on the name of his current status and whether he's a free agent or under contract somewhere and the Alex are looking to loan him in. He had a quiet afternoon as Kidsgrove posed little goal threat. Will he be given further chances to impress against Newcastle Town and Ashton United I wonder?

Absences

It's easy to forget that whilst a lot of fans are craving more new signings, the Alex already have 24 senior players contracted to them. Well, 6 of those players were absent today in Nathan Robinson, Mickey Demetriou, Reece Hutchinson, Omar Bogle, Jack Lankester and Adrien Thibuat.

Nathan Robinson is now officially a concern, having now missed well over 12 months of football. When will he see the field exactly? Mickey Demetriou doesn't need to play these sorts of games, so I'm pleased they are managing his minutes. Lankester is just coming back from his knee operation and whilst he's out training on the grass at Reaseheath, he's likely several weeks away from playing games.

With Hutchinson, Lee Bell said in his post match interview that he's half way through his season already, so throwing him into the same routine as the other players wasn't a good idea. I do get that, but at the same time, he needs to build up chemistry with his team mates, so hopefully he does play some of the friendlies. Use him against Birmingham and Stoke I wonder? Thibaut was at the ground and has been pictured doing running, so perhaps he's had a minor knock and wasn't risked.

The only glaring omission, a player who not only wasn't in the squad but wasn't present at the ground and hasn't even been spotted in the pre-season training photos/videos, was Omar Bogle. He wasn't listed as available for transfer in the retained list back in May, but he is now nowhere to be found. Has he chosen to stay away? Has the club told him to? Are they trying to release him or find him a new club on the quiet? Is he busy transitioning to a new music career? Some clarity on his situation would be nice.

What are you doing Zac?

Another player who's status is becoming murkier by the day is Zac Williams. Lee Bell said in his first pre-season interview that he was hoping for some clarity on Zac's situation. Well, that was 8 days ago and nothing has been heard since. So how is it that Zac is now officially a free agent since July 1st and he's still training with the club and, as of today, playing pre-season friendlies?

I get he's technically still tied to the club by the contract offer he was presented and that won't budge as the club will be due compensation should another suitor come in for him. But the whole situation is getting bizarre.

Here's what I think we know and correct me if I'm wrong: He's on a fairly generous salary given he's only entering his 4th full season as a pro. He's been given at least the same terms as that previous deal thanks to the compensation rules that state he can't be presented lesser terms, either in the years or the salary offered.

But for whatever reason, be that him being unhappy with said terms or him desiring a move away, he's refused to sign for the last 12-18 months. Well, we're now up to July 5th and nothing has changed. So what happens next? Is he going to sign? If so, when? If he isn't, then what is the benefit of allowing him to play games?

Keeping him fit and in the shop window is a straw man argument. Any interested team would have taken him by now and a few weeks of pre-season isn't going to make a difference to his saleability. It's becoming rather distasteful now, from both sides. I don't like him continuing to pull on this clubs colours when he's seemingly so reluctant to sign contract terms. And I don't like the club letting him play friendlies when the whole point is yes, to build up fitness, but also develop initial relationships, patterns of play, systems.

If they want to play him against Newcastle, Ashton and Radcliffe, fine. But he should play no part against Stoke or Birmingham until he signs his deal. Regardless of that, both him, his agent and the club need to get this situation resolved. Because it's becoming a bit farcical now.

New Signings on Show

Whilst there was no debut for Reece Hutchinson, the Alex did show 2 new players in Phil Croker and Josh March. March was as advertised, a lively poacher and player who likes to run in behind. He was in the right place to get his first pre-season goal. I've felt for a number of weeks that a front 4 of him, Tabiner on the right, Holicek on the left and Lankester in behind could be a dangerous attack. Could being the operative word, but still.

As for Croker, he looked calm and composed. Steady on the ball, he made some nice runs forward and even got a goal, using his imposing height to head in the Alex's 5th. Whilst all this was done against a mid-table tier 8 side, it's still a good start to his time at the Alex.

But still, these were the only 2 new faces on display, ignoring the 2 trialists of course. Hopefully in the coming weeks there are a few more new signings to talk about.

Weaknesses

Which brings me on to my final point. It's not a surprise, but what this friendly has done is confirm to me that the areas where they needed help before the game are still the areas they need help after it. The next 3 games won't change that opinion either.

They need competition in goal. That's obvious. The fact that Billington stayed on at RB in the 2nd half whilst every other player who played the 1st half came off and Stan Dancey only played 10-15 minutes shows they need another RB. With Demetriou not used, the 4 players who played today at CB were 23, 21, 18 and 18. They have to find a more experienced CB to complement the group, because relying on Demetriou as the only older head is a recipe for disaster.

I'm still to be convinced about their creativity and goal scoring prowess from central midfield. And they look short upfront, especially given Lankester's unknown timeframe to return and Bogle's disappearing act. None of this is a massive concern, although with the season now less than 4 weeks away, they do need to get their skates on and get some more bodies in fairly quickly.

A GK, RB, experienced CB, attacking CM and either a striker, winger or player who can both spots. They need these 5 signings, ideally before the season starts. Hopefully we see some movement soon.