Crewe Alex 1-1 Doncaster Rovers 24/25 Review - Mirror Image

It's funny how many times the Alex have played an opponent this season and picked up identical results across both games. Today's 1-1 draw with Doncaster mirrored the result they got at the Keepmoat back in October. Also this season there have been two 1-1 draws against Salford, two 0-0s against Swindon and two 1-0 wins against Morecambe. It's been a funny campaign in that sense. Here is my review of their 15th draw of the season against Donny at Gresty Road:

Hoof

If the Alex fall short of promotion, then they will only have themselves to blame and for me, it won't be because of injuries or a lack of quality. It'll be in the way they approach the game. 154 successful passes and 44% possession at home, in League Two, is not good enough. If this was an isolated incident against a very good side, you could live with it. But it's not, it's a recurring theme.

We shouldn't be seeing Conor Thomas out there for 90 minutes when 2 vastly superior footballers in Jack Powell and Max Sanders sit on the bench. They shouldn't be giving up the bulk of possession to any L2 team at home, they should be contesting it.

I don't think there is any shame in admitting Lee Bell's brand of football is dull and tedious. Yes, it gets results no question. But is it the style of play we should just quietly accept, or should we start demanding more?

Blown Leads

4 points dropped to Doncaster now, after they recovered from 1-0 down against the Alex to take a 1-1 draw, just like they did at the Keepmoat. The Alex have now let 13 points slip from winning positions, which is more than most of the teams around them. Had they held on to even half of those, they would be in the automatic hunt, not hoping to hold onto 7th. It's going to be one of the many reasons why they fail to make the play-offs, should that come to pass.

Chances

That being, they had enough chances today to have been out of sight of Donny before the fightback came from the visitors. Hemmings' header, his shot from Williams' cut back, Tabiner with 2 decent openings, Holicek, Bogle, Long all with openings. Yes, Donny will point to their good chances, but by half time, the Alex had 1.31 xG to their 0.51. Had the Alex gotten that 2nd goal, you feel they may well have won the game. It follows a recent pattern for them, where they've created 13.90 and only managed 10 goals from them. Their profligacy could cost them come the end of the season.

Solid Point

All the above being said, the Alex will probably feel satisfied with a point at home against the joint best away team in the division. In isolation, this is a solid draw and another match unbeaten against a fellow promotion chaser. It almost feels like they are just finding ways to stay in their home games whilst picking up more of their points on the road at the moment. I'm honestly looking forward to the trips to Notts County and Bradford in the coming weeks more than I am the home games.

Ref Assessment

I can see why Donny fans will feel he denied them some big decisions at the end of the game, as I'd have been screaming for a few of them. I'm honest to admit the Alex did get the rub of the green on a few occasions in this game.

Management Assessment

Did they get the starting XI correct? They'll say yes, I'll say no. Did they get the subs right? Again, for me no. Thomas and Holicek were passengers for the most part and should have come off for Powell and Sanders. Oh and as for the practice of putting players on the bench knowing full well they won't be coming on needs to stop, especially when you have fit players sitting in the stands. Make it make sense.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Aside from one shaky moment in the first half, he was mostly solid. Although I don't think Bailey's looping header straight down the middle should be going in.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

Defended well to his credit, but you just can't help but feel like he's the odd man out and they could go to a back 4 with him coming out and not lose much.

Connor O'Riordan

A close call for man of the match as he pounced for his 3rd goal of the season. They looked worse when he went off, hopefully it's just a knock and they were being cautious.

Zac Williams

Also solid as he seemed to move between a LCB and LB role. Although like with JKL, we have to ask whether they should be playing a back just to accomodate him.

Lewis Billington

Solid if unspectacular as he dealt with the lively Gibson in the first half. He also coped fine when moved inside to RCB.

Tommy Lowery

Struggled against a physical Donny midfield, this style won't bring out the best in him. He'll be fine against Notts County next week you feel.

Conor Thomas

Probably another game where people will tell me he was excellent, whilst I think he struggled thoroughout. Which is fine by the way given this was his first start since September. He should have come off in the final 20 minutes.

Max Conway

Lively down the left, but he couldn't quite find that final ball, which continues to be the biggest detraction on him.

Matus Holicek

He seemed to move between a LW and number 10 role. He's another who never should have lasted the 90, although his cross for Hemmings' header was superb.

Kane Hemmings

He's the only striker the Alex have who can play the hold up style. He battled well and came close with 2 chances in the first half, but the final finish eluded him.

Joel Tabiner MOTM

He continues to look a different player playing off the right, as he gave Donny's left hand side no end of trouble. He maybe could have done better with his 2 shots, but he's found his long term spot in the team.

Subs:

Omar Bogle

Offered the Alex some more legs on the counter, but aside from one ball back across the goal late on, he couldn't get on the end of any clear chances.

Chris Long

Long being Long, he was bright and offered them more pace going forward. But his late shot from a ridiculous angle sums him up really.

Ryan Cooney

Added some defensive stability down the right with some decent challenges and mopping up play.

Overall Verdict

A point against the side in 3rd is fine in isolation. But given they could be 9th by the time you read this. Dropped results are going to cost them, of which you can add this game to the long list of them. Let's hope their next game being on the road at a passing side next week will be more to their liking.