Morecambe 0-1 Crewe Alex 23/24 Review - Fortune

The Alex have arguably had very little luck this season. Ravaged by injuries since October, they've been trying to keep things patched together ever since. But what they got tonight was a fair slice of luck in their favour. Williams' shot deflecting nicely into Nevitt's path to give them a goal they scarcely looked like getting for most of the evening. And that being enough to secure them the 3 points that their flagging PO big desperately needed. Huge. Here are my thoughts on a (mostly) positive night for the Alex in their bid for the top 7:

The King

I wanted to highlight Nevitt's performance tonight, just because the full context is needed in order to properly understand how impressive it was. He's been their lone striker for the last 6 games. He's not missed a minute. He's been spending his time feeding off scraps, getting battered by centre halves and still finds the energy to put in a shift every week.

So, it was very satisfying to see him finally get a break and jump on a deflected Zac Williams shot to power in his 15th league goal of the season. That goal then seemed to possess him, as he went into god mode, winning free kicks and throws ins, helping to bleed precious seconds off the clock. He's making a case to be the 2nd placed finisher in the player of the season awards behind Demetriou. He's been immense for most of the season and the Alex aren't in a promotion race without his contributions.

Clean Sheet

Suddenly, the Alex's defence is looking secure again. Yes, the first 30 minutes against FGR was atrocious, but that aside, they've looked solid in the games either side of that. They fully earned their clean sheet tonight with some excellent, no-nonsense defending.

Ok, Morecambe are hardly packed full of top attackers, but a young defence flanked with 4 players under the age of 25 restricted a desperate, nothing to lose Morecambe side to virtually nothing in front of goal. Particular standouts were Billington and Williams, both of whom have only just turned 20. Those 2, with Demetriou as well, will form a solid core of defensive players to take into next season.

Stupid

If there was one real sour note to the game and result, it was Lewis Leigh's idiotic red card. Yes, he might have touched the ball. But I;m sorry, if you go jumping into a challenge like that, with both feet off the floor, it's a red card every day of the week in the modern game.

What makes his decision even worse is the massive stakes involved. 1-0 up, desperately needing a win, 2 minutes to go. If that sending off had cost them the game, it could have destroyed what little confidence they had left and seen them fall to pieces in their final 3 games.

Not only that, but it puts their already light on options midfield at a disadvantage for the last 3 games of the season, at a time when they need every man they can get. It was reckless and stupid and it's undone a lot of the good work he's done since coming into the team. He will miss the run in now and only become available for the play-offs. But can the manager use him given what transpired tonight? I'm not sure he can.

Massive

The football still isn't great. The players are still on their last legs, with some playing injured, some coming on despite clearly lacking fitness. This win doesn't solve all their issues. But this win has to be the spur they use to finish the final 3 games strongly and build for the play-offs. Because they are almost there. The results couldn't have gone better for them if they tried.

The teams from 11th downwards cannot catch them. Wimbledon's maximum total is 71, Walsall's 74 and Doncaster's 73. If they can grind out another win against Grimsby on Saturday, that will rule out Doncaster and Wimbledon from catching them and leave Walsall as their sole threat for the top 7. And if results go their way, then they will mathematically confirm their spot with 2 to play for. They are almost there. That's how massive this win was.

Ref Rating - 7

I thought he was pretty solid on the whole. I can't begrudge the red card and I think he left what was a pretty even tempered game flow for the most part.

Management Rating - 8

They made a big call to switch to the 3 at the back on short notice, given previous changes with little prep time have backfired on them. But it worked tonight, as it gave them a solid base to keep Morecambe out.

Tom Booth - 7

Made one half decent save from a free kick in the first half, but he was once again solid as his defence did a great job in shielding him from many shots. Another decent evening and his 7th clean sheet in just 17 starts.

Ryan Cooney - 6

A solid evening from the returning Shrimp. He didn't put a foot wrong and tried to make things happen, but I'm struggling to think of what he did, good or bad. You'll take that from him, but can he be more of a factor in games, especially going forward.

Lewis Billington - 7

Excellent at RCB. Kept Morecambe very quiet in a new role for him. Is the trio of him, Mickey and Zac as a back 3 the way forward?

Mickey Demetriou - 8

Demetriou showed tonight why he deserves to be captain next season. And why he never should have lost the armband against FGR. He not only led by example, but he was constantly encouraging his team mates, which is what you want to see from your leader on the pitch.

Zac Williams - 8

Like Billington, he was strong defensively and carried the ball with the style and elegance we've started to see more of this season. And what's more, he forced the goal with a driving run into the box and a shot which yes had an element of fortune about it as it fell into Nevitt's path. But sometimes you make your own luck and Zac did.

Rio Adebisi - 6

His final balls just aren't where they need to be right now. Like a few occasions in the last couple of weeks, his attacking work is letting him down. Defensively he looks superb, but the Alex need more from him in the final third.

Lewis Leigh - 4

See above for my assessment of his red. It's a shame that this card has largely undone a positive run of games for him. Does he return for the POs? It's a tough one.

Josh Austerfield - 6

A quiet night for him, where he struggled to impose himself on the game in what looked like a defensive midfield role. He wasn't poor, but he didn't stand out much either. Is he playing injured?

Matus Holicek - 5

A tough night against a big physical CDM in Songo'o. He'll need to find ways to impose himself in games as he develops, but he blazed over a good chance that you'd want to see him hit the target with.

Shilow Tracey - 5

Spent most of the night chasing shadows. Worked hard, but looked even more uncomfortable upfront alongside Nevitt than he normally does on the right wing.

Elliott Nevitt - 9 MOTM

Incredible. Outstanding. Immense. What a warrior he's been.

Subs:

Aaron Rowe - 6

Feels a bit generous, but he did add a little bit more to the Alex's attack when he came on, although they went into hold mode shortly after he came on and they scored.

Joel Tabiner - N/A

His set pieces were a little wild, but overall it's positive to get him back on the pitch. They need him, even more so now after Leigh's red card.

Overall Verdict

The win that might well secure a top 7 spot. But, they need to make sure and get a win on Saturday against Grimsby to put themselves in an even better position. As I said above, this has to be the confidence boost they need to get over the line and then assess where they are in terms of the squad ready for the play-offs. They need to kick on and finish the job.