Milton Keynes 3-1 Crewe Alex 25-26 Review - Predictable

Well, that was the most obvious thing ever. I really should be a betting man, because the last 2 weeks have had a real air of inevitability about them. Everyone could see what was going to happen last week when they named a bizarre 3-4-2-1 system. And everyone knew what was going to happen today. Heck, even the scoreline was pretty obvious. And so is was that the Alex fell to a heavy defeat at MK, in a performance which had very little in the way of positives. Here is my review of today's defeat:

Player Usage

Maybe I shouldn't be picking apart all the small decisions, but they are adding up to big ones. Why is James Connolly starting games despite being dreadful? Why does Tommi O'Reilly stay on for 90 minutes every week despite providing nothing of note? Why does Dion Rankine, who was bright against Bromley and scored in midweek, not even get a few minutes at the end? I just don't get it. It speaks to a management team who just don't have much idea about what they are doing.

Tactics

Yes, we are back to asking about the style they are playing. Long ball one minute, tricky intricate passing the next. There is no consistency to what they are trying to do lately and today was no different. They played a 4-2-3-1, yet neither Lankester nor O'Reilly stayed wide enough, so play constantly went through the middle and surprise surprise, it broke down.

The players just seem so confused by what they are asked to do, as there is no consistency to the messages. Why today did they not change things tactically to combat MK in the same way they did against Bromley? You can't make sense of it and again, it speaks to a confused and increasing discombobulated management group.

No disgrace

At the end of the day though, I am not mad at them losing this game. I'm really not. Losing to an MK team with higher level talent throughout on the road is no disgrace. No, I'm being serious, stop laughing. What kills Bell and kills the team isn't defeats like today. It's the losing the lead against Barnet. It's losing at Barrow. It's losing through self inflicted selection and tactical mistakes against Bromley. Take 6-7 points from those games and you can write this one off very quickly.

Inevitable

But when you add it in to those games, the evidence becomes rather overwhelming that the manager is out of his depth, has been for a long time and needs putting out of his misery. Even if you want to forget last season, it's now 6 defeats from their last 9. That's an unsustainable run at any level and there is little evidence showing that it will come to an end or that they can go on a long run of consistent results.

For me, the time is fast approaching when a decision will have to be made. That's not now. For me, he has the next 3 home games to decide his fate. Grimsby is tough, as is Donny in the FA Cup. But lose to your former manager and suffer another first round cup exit, once again denying the club of desperately needed funds and a struggling Shrewsbury should decide his fate. For me, only 4 points from the 2 league games and a competitive performance against Donny save his job. Anything less than that and it's time to go.

Ref Assessment

I thought he was very poor, but then he gave MK all the yellow cards, so I can't complain too much. Didn't have anything major to do.

Management Assessment

Out of their depth. It's as simple as that. If a decision was to be made tomorrow, it would be fair. But I'll give them until Shrewsbury.

Player Assessments

Tom Booth

Not at fault for the goals from what I could see. Made a couple of decent stops, so can say he did what was asked.

Lewis Billington

Again, more of the same from Billo. Nice lad, but a full back he is not. Yet more evidence that he simply doesn't have the attacking chops. Like, any. A solid defender, but a terrible attacker.

James Connolly

Not terrible, but still clearly not up to it. Everything takes an age to think about because he isn't very good and you always feel he has a big mistake in him. Get Billington in his place.

Mickey Demetriou

Again, not his fault, although we do have to ask if age is starting to catch up with him somewhat.

Reece Hutchinson

Was just sort of there, in a game where you wouldn't say he was terrible, but nor was he every good either.

Max Sanders

I do like Sanders and what he brings, but then you see midfielders like MK have that can score a goal or influence a game and it makes you think that they can do a lot better.

Conor Thomas

Cost the Alex in 2 big moments. First he didn't shoot first time when presented with a great chance at 1-0, then got his feet muddled up for the game killing 2nd. And yet again, he can't play more than 70 minutes. And we wonder why they struggle to play an attacking/possession based game.

Jack Lankester

Poor. Not in the game at all. He can't do it all and with no service in to him, he's wasting his time at the moment.

Owen Lunt

Yes, he struggled to get into the game, but hooking him at half time was a strange decision. He probably should have done better with the chance Tezgel set up for him.

Tommi O'Reilly

Why does he start every week? And why does he stay on the pitch every week? He's done nothing for the last month that justifies it. I know they aren't awash with options, but take him out of the team for a spell FFS!

Emre Tezgel MOTM

Not sure why he's getting so much flak. It's not his fault he's getting no support and very little service. He was the best Alex player on the pitch today, which is a low bar I know, but he grafted and tried his best.

Subs:

Louis Moult

Got a goal, which will do wonders for his confidence. Can't say the rest of his performance impressed me though. Start him next week, see how he gets on.

Matus Holicek

I won't blame him for being anonymous in what was another limp response to being behind.

Calum Agius

Looked lively, but couldn't influence things. Should have got his 2 efforts from the right side on target.

Charlie Finney

Not really sure why he came on, can't say much about him after he did.

Overall Verdict

We're heading into do or die territory for the management. 3 straight home games(again, ignoring what is basically a dead rubber reserve game at Burton) where their future will be decided. All eyes on Gresty Road for the next 3 weeks. If they get to the Oldham game I'll be very impressed.