Swindon Town 1-2 Crewe Alex 25-26 Review - Remarkable

I'm honestly shocked. Yes, everything about the Fleetwood performance was frustrating, from the players application to the management's tactics. But as they do so so often this season, they pull a reaction out when it barely seems possible. And they bag 3 more points to put the pressure right back on the teams around them in the race for the play-offs. Here is my review of a fantastic 3 points at title chasing Swindon:

Some Effort

The players are dead on their feet. I don't think any of them are fit and fresh at this stage. So to push their run in 2026 to 6-3-2 despite being down most of their best players in the midfield/forward areas is remarkable. They deserved the win today, despite it being nervy at the end. They took 2 chances and but for some better bounces, they could have had more openings.

At the back, they did switch off once, but on the whole, I think it would have flattered Swindon had they got a 2nd. The Alex put up an excellent rearguard action, with Lawlor making a couple of decent stops and the defence throwing their bodies on the line to keep the Robins out. This was some effort.

Career Highs

They are still not firing on all cylinders in attack, mainly due to the majority of their attackers being either injured or lacking match fitness. But this was a return to their early season form, at least in terms of taking the few opportunities they created. And 3 players have posted career highs in various categories.

Adrien Thibaut got a lovely assist his 3rd goal contribution of the season, 1 more than he managed last season. Matus Holicek bagged his 2nd goal, his highest goal return for a single season. Yes, both are low bars, but you first have to clear the bar first, then raise it. Finally, Josh March's first goal in 7, another much needed one, was his 13th goal contribution, 1 more than he managed for Harrogate last season.

Now to hope for some badly needed attacking reinforcements in the next couple of weeks.

Against the Odds

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised by this performance and result. After all, getting results from games everyone expects them to fail in is in their DNA under Lee Bell. I've predicted them to lose in 10 previews this season, including this one. They've only gone on to lose 3(MK, Notts County away and Walsall were the 3 btw). It's a weird position to be in where you almost dread the games against the strugglers more than those against the better sides. But this was up there as one of their best performances and results of the season.

Tactical Switch

I was frustrated with the poor tactics on Tuesday. But again, let's praise when it's warranted. Today, they had to reshuffle to a back 3 and manage the players they had available, especially in midfield. The players responded well. Then when O'Reilly limped off, Thibaut came on and the front 2 of him and March worked a treat, harrying Swindon's defenders until they cracked. They once again got the most out of a small group of players. They almost won't know what to do with themselves should the likes of Thomas, Lankester, Sanders and Tezgel return in the coming weeks.

Poor

Let's talk for a moment about the opposition. Swindon, until they scored, were really poor. The atmosphere, from what I could tell on Sky Sports+, was dead in the County Ground. The fans seemed unhappy, strange given their position in the table. On the pitch, the players were sluggish, passive and really struggled to create clear cut chances. For a side that is pushing for the title, they were awful and didn't deserve anything from the game. Holloway can shout and scream at full time all he likes, maybe he needs to look internally a bit more often.

Ref Assessment

Dire, for both sides. Missed about 3 blatant fouls on Crewe players, but then did allow the Alex to do a fair bit of time wasting in the final 10 minutes.

Management Assessment

More brilliant management to bounce back after Tuesday. Got it spot on with the team, the initial sub and their message to the players. My only gripe is O'Reilly. He's needed a break for weeks, months even. His breakdown felt inevitable and avoidable. Hopefully he's not out too long.

Player Assessments

Ian Lawlor

A good performance. Was quick off his line to deal with Powell's shot back pass in the first half, then stepped up with 2 saves in the 2nd half. Nothing he could do with the goal.

Lewis Billington

Another pretty solid game from him as he shifted outside to RWB. He did find it tricky at times in the 2nd half to stop some of the crosses coming in, but on the whole he did well.

James Connolly

He still has a bad habit of just grabbing players when trying to compete for headers, but on the whole he was pretty good and dealt well with a nasty cut to his head just before half time.

Mickey Demetriou

The difference between the Alex without him and with him is stark. He was back today and surprise surprise, they looked far better all round. Did his usual defensive duties and almost scored in the 2nd half with a header that hit the side netting.

Alfie Pond

His booking was a puzzling one as to how he got into such a mess from a decent position. Other than that though, he was fairly quiet once again, which is what you want from a CB.

Reece Hutchinson

Solid for the most part, but his mistake in allowing Olakigbe in behind to score was a rare defensive gaffe on his part. However, aside from that, he was fine.

Jack Powell

His set pieces on Tuesday were really poor, so to see him bounce back with a lovely corner and assist for March's goal was very pleasing. Hopefully with Thomas and Sanders due back in the coming weeks, a bit of pressure can be taken off him.

Matus Holicek MOTM

Several players have needed to step up recently and he was one of them. Boy did he, with a lovely taken goal just before half time. He was everywhere and I thought he was the Alex's best performer.

Tommi O'Reilly

Looked lively as he usually does, but the physical punishment and fatigue he was dealing with the last few months was always going to catch up to him eventually and so it proved as he limped off after 35 minutes. So long as he's not out for more than 2-4 weeks, this could be a blessing in disguise for both him and the team as a whole.

Calum Agius

A quiet game, but he did have some nice touches in the 2nd half. I'm not sure what position he was supposed to be in though.

Josh March

Like Holicek, he needed a goal after not scoring in his last 7, so him ending that with a cheek little flick into the corner was superb. He ran himself into the ground once again, a brilliant performance.

Subs:

Adrien Thibaut

Stepped off the bench unexpectedly early, but showed brilliant touch and composure to bring the ball down and slip in Holicek for the opening goal. I'm not sure why he came off and not March in the latter stages, as he'd had a good game.

Omar Bogle

Had a few nice touches, but he wasn't sharp enough with his play. Had he been, a couple of more attacks could have developed. But still, he was ok, getting a key block in the Alex's box late on.

Overall Verdict

An outstanding performance given the absences, the opposition and all the context surrounding the game. Now they need to flip their mindset to try and keep the points rolling in against some more favourable opponents, on paper anyway.