Stockport County 1-3 Crewe Alex 23/24 Review - New Ambition

All season, I've always felt that the Alex would do well to remain in the promotion race and compete for a play-off spot. But after this result, I don't think a play-off spot should be the limit of their ambitions. I think they have every reason to aim for the final top 3 space. It's going to be a battle to keep Wrexham away, but I think they are fully in the hunt for an automatic spot. Here is my review of another fantastic away day in 23-24:

Early and First

Most games swing on who can start the fastest. Getting ahead early is often vital in deciding a game. The Alex were able to do that and it wasn't undeserved either. After a couple of chances came and went, a ball into the box was headed by Horsfall to Ed Turns, who in turn nodded it back towards Demetriou, who calmly slotted in his 7th league goal of the season.

It was only the 4th goal Stockport have conceded at Edgley Park in the first half this season and it was comfortably the earliest, with the next earliest being in the 16th minute against Crawley. It was also only the 4th time they've conceded first. Getting the early lead was massive in giving the Alex the confidence and platform they needed to go on and get the result.

New Look

We've seen the Alex mix it up a lot over the course of the season. In this game we saw something new. The Alex played new-ish system, with Holicek tucking inside on the left, but Rowe being a more natural RW. Austerfield sort of found himself alongside Offord at times, but was in more of a free role in others. It was a sort of 4-1-3-2 to 4-2-2-2 system, with lots of freedom in the middle. It worked perfectly.

The management have been a huge driving factor in this team being in an automatic push. Yes they've made mistakes with both their starting line ups, tactics and subs, but when they get it right, as they did last night, they really get it right. They deserve full credit for this game plan and set up.

Scorers

We've said it all season, but the Alex wouldn't be where they are without their defenders. We're now up to 18 goals and 18 assists from their back line, an unbelievable contribution. But more impressively, Ed Turns and Josh Austerfield decided they didn't want to be 2 of the 3 outfield players to have started a game for the Alex and not scored, so both duly did in this game. They are up to 18 unique scorers in the league and it once again leaves Ryan Cooney as the sole non-goalkeeper to have started a league game and not scored.

Resolve

Another impressive thing about them is they are showing they are a steely bunch. The Alex have a history of bottling leads and letting results slip, but you can count on one hand the amount of times they've done that this season. They dealt with everything Stockport could throw at them in this game and emerged with a comfortable victory.

The Big Occasions

The Alex don't normally show up in the big games. But this season they have time and time again, especially on the road. They've now taken 10 points from a possible 12 against the other 4 sides in the top 5. They have taken a point or more in 10 of their 12 games against sides in the top half. When they've needed to step up against fellow promotion sides, they have rose to the challenge.

Ref Watch

Neil Hair - 7/Richard Eley - 7

I'm in the unusual position of reviewing 2 refs. Hair only lasted 45 minutes before going over on his ankle just before half time. I thought he was decent. A couple of missed calls, but overall he was solid. His replacement Mr Eley was fine also. It was an easy game to ref to be fair.

Management Rating - 10

I'll criticise them when they make mistakes, but praise them when they get it right. They got the set up perfect. Not only that, they got the players to put in the performance of the season against a top of the table team, I can't not give them top marks.

Player Ratings

Harvey Davies - 7

The only blot on his copy book was perhaps him racing out to Sarcevic on the equaliser, leaving the goal exposed for Olafe to tap in. But for the most part, he was solid in his kicking and collecting of loose balls in difficult conditions.

Lewis Billington - 7

Steady and composed at RB. He did get turned once by Olafe in the first half, but you barely noticed him, which is fine from him in that spot.

Ed Turns - 9 MOTM

In a group where you could make the case for a lot of them, I'd have to give it for the 3rd game in a row. A goal, an assist and a dominant defensive performance. What more can you ask for?

Mickey Demetriou - 9

Demetriou wasn't far behind Turns. You could easily say he deserved the MOTM. Won his headers and once again was a big factor going forward, with a well taken goal and a beautiful cross for Turns' goal.

Rio Adebisi - 7

Was a nuisance going forward down the left with nice bits of play. Also kept Stockport's right hand side very quiet. An underrated game from Rio.

Luke Offord - 8

Sat in the long CDM role and was superb in that position. Mopped up a lot of dangerous moments and kept his passing simple.

Josh Austerfield - 7

Started slowly, but grew into things and took his goal superbly well. Feel like he's got a lot to offer and want to see him get a run of starts. Put in a hell of a shift to finish the game after seeming to suffer from cramp with 20 minutes to go.

Aaron Rowe - 7

Had a few nice touches, but I thought overall he was pretty quiet. Still, he put in a hell of a shift on the right wing to try and stop Bristow and then Touray.

Matus Holicek - 7

Was much better than Saturday. Especially grew into things in the second half when he got more space to dictate things. Just a shame he ran out of legs after an hour.

Elliott Nevitt - 8

Whilst he didn't get any chances on goal, his workrate was off the charts. Never stopped pressing and chasing the whole time he was on. Rightfully got a bit of a breather with 10 minutes to go.

Courtney Baker-Richardson - 8

Like Nevitt, he ran his socks off. Didn't give County's defenders a moment's peace. Had a big chance early on, but it was his defensive work once again I noticed, with him winning header after header.

Subs:

Shilow Tracey - 6

Didn't have chance to do much when he came on, but did hold the ball up in the corner in the final few minutes to kill time.

Charlie Kirk - N/A

Had a couple of nice bits of play, but didn't have long enough to make an impact. It's nice that they are winning games and their potential ace in the hole is still working his way up to full fitness.

Ryan Cooney - N/A

A late sub, he didn't need to do anything at RWB.

Overall Verdict

Every week I feel like I'm talking about a new "performance of the season". First it was Mansfield. Then Barrow. Now Stockport. The biggest takeaway from this game, aside from it launching them fully into the top 3 race, is that nothing has been won yet. They must keep working hard and must keep pushing for more points. This was a sweet win. But they are still a long way from their overall target. Keep it up Crewe!