Notts County 1-3 Crewe Alex 23/24 Review - History Repeats?

The last time the Alex beat Notts County, they were promoted. So, basically what I'm saying is, crack open the champagne bottles and start the party boys, because it's promotion time. No, in all seriousness, they are a long way from starting to plan trips to Reading, Blackpool and (giggles) Stoke. But they are getting closer to realising their hopes of promotion as they saw off another dangerous side on the road, with consummate ease I might add. Here is my takeaways from the win at Meadow Lane today:

Unprecedented

He's been talked about all season, but we can't not praise Mickey Demetriou once again. His goal today took him up to 8 goals and 6 assists for the season. If the Alex had an attacker that had those numbers, I'd be delighted. For them to come from a CB is unheard of. I'd love to know the record stats for goal contributions in a season from a CB that weren't just them taking free kicks/penalties. You run out of new things to say about him, so just say the old stuff. The Alex's best signing in who knows how long. Amazing.

Clinical

Before this game, Crewe Alex ranked 12th in shots, 16th in shots on target and 10th in xG. Yet after this game, they sit 4th for goals scored. They are scoring and converting their limited chances at an incredibly high clip and what's more, they have started to show signs of overcoming their dip in goals with 6 in their last 3 games and 9 in their last 4 away games.

Today they had 3 shots on target and scored 3 of them. They scored with virtually their first attack of the 2nd half and scored their 2 open play goals from an xG of around 0.8. They are taking their chances when they come along.

Defence

What's even more impressive than their clinical attack is their rock solid defence. County's goal today had a real whiff of offside to it, which denied them their 4th clean sheet in their last 5 games in February. But even in conceding 1, they didn't give a very dangerous Magpies attack many openings.

And in only letting in 1, they have now conceded just 8 goals in their last 11 games. They aren't even playing defensive football either, they are just being pragmatic in how they approach games. I can't remember the last time I saw a Crewe team this good at defending. Long may it continue.

The Press

What I liked from the Alex today was their intelligence in how they approached the game. They knew they weren't going to have lots of the ball. But what they did was force County into mistakes with their pressing game, especially early on and with the 3rd goal as well. They did get opened up on occasions, but for the most part, they played this game to perfection tactically.

Countdown

The management won't get carried away. Nor will they look too far into the future. And I'm sure they won't let the players either. But they are past 60 points now and now just 9 away from 70. A couple more wins and we can at the very least start eyeing up play-off dates. But of course, they are in the hunt for the top 3, especially with Stockport and Wrexham dropping points. MK Dons are coming up fast behind them, so it's looking like a 5 horse race for the 3 spots. It's going to be a hell of a final 12 games of the season.

Ref Rating - 7

I know Notts fans will be livid with him, but I thought he got most of the major stuff right. I had no qualms with his bookings, Kirk's aside. He let a lot of pulling and tugging go, but for both sides. I thought he was fine.

Management Rating - 9

I said before the game I wouldn't have started Kirk. 20 minutes in and I was looking a right numpty. Fair play to Bell, he got the big calls right, which is what you need in a big game like this. He got 70 minutes out of Kirk and his subs worked nicely as well as they scored a minute after their final triple change. Another superb game plan from Bell and his team.

Player Ratings

Harvey Davies - 8

Made some big saves when needed and claimed all his crosses. Hasn't put a foot wrong since coming back into the team. Good on him for proving people wrong.

Lewis Billington - 8

A quietly impressive game, especially later on when he came up big with some massive headers and clearances. Dealt with Jones really well.

Ed Turns - 7

I thought his positioning was a little off on a couple of occasions, but overall this was another steady and solid game from him. Went unnoticed, which is what you want from a CB.

Mickey Demetriou - 8

Another goal, another solid defensive performance. Him leaving one on McGoldrick was a personal highlight. A warrior. A leader. And he's ours until the end of the season at the earlier. Incredible.

Rio Adebisi - 8 MOTM

Had to deal with a mixture of 3 different County players and did it superbly. Then at the other end, he provided 2 assists to take his tally to 7.

Conor Thomas - 7

Like all the other players, he put in a shift in before coming off. He'll need to step up now that Offord is out. He isn't the same player, but he'll be massively important as their only experienced CM option that is fit.

Josh Austerfield - 7

A quiet game until he came alive and rifled in his 2nd in his last 2 games. Yes, the keeper should have done better, but who cares. Stepped up in a big moment and gave the Alex much needed breathing room. Like Thomas, the Alex need him to perform in Offord's absence.

Matus Holicek - 6

I thought he struggled to get into the game for the most part. He worked hard and did come more alive in the 2nd half, but it was a tough game for him to shine in. Still, he put in a shift.

Charlie Kirk - 7

I wouldn't have started him, but he and Bell proved me wrong with a strong performance. Most of his work was done defensively, but his perfectly weighted through ball for Nevitt to win the penalty more than justified his start.

Elliott Nevitt - 7

Made the most of the one opportunity he had, going clean through and winning a penalty. He tucked it away beautifully the get back on the goal trial. A good hard working display.

Shilow Tracey - 6

Had a couple of nice runs, but this was always going to be a tough game for him, with the Alex having so little of the ball. Still, put a shift in before coming off. Can't ask for more than that.

Subs:

Courtney Baker-Richardson - 5

Was always going to find it tough in a defensive role when he came on. Another one of his "ran around a lot, but didn't manage to do much" sort of appearances, which is fine in a game like this.

Aaron Rowe - 5

Another who was reduced to a "ran a lot" sort of display, which again is fine.

Joel Tabiner - N/A

Delighted to welcome him back. It's an old cliche, but he really is like a new signing. It's nice to be in a position to slowly ease him in as well.

Lewis Leigh - N/A

Can't comment on this appearance too much, but he needs to be ready to take his opportunities in the future, especially with the return of Tabiner and the form of Thomas, Austerfield and Holicek.

Ryan Cooney - N/A

Won some big headers late on. It's incredible to think how much better he looks from the bench at the moment.

Overall Verdict

What more can you say. Another big side dispatched on the road and with relative ease as well. Into the final 2 months and 12 games of the season we go. There are still a lot of tough games to come, where they have 4 promotion chasers and a side battling against relegation. They can't let their levels drop going forward. But what a 3 points and what a way to reward the 1,426 away there today. Bring on Morecambe.