Crewe Alex 1-4 Fleetwood Town 24/25 Review - 1 Step Forward, 4 Steps Back

If you want to write tonight off due to the horrendous injury to Shilow Tracey, go right ahead. It would be a mistake, but you do you. Tonight was something we've become too accustomed to seeing. A shocking home performance and a mauling result wise. Dave Artell in his first 4 and 1/2 seasons at the Alex, lost 12 home games by a multi-goal margin. Tonight was Lee Bell's 10th, in 2 and a bit seasons. It's a big concern and something which requires a larger discussion I feel. But tonight isn't about that. Let's try and break this one game down:

Injuries

The injury to Tracey was the worst I've ever seen live. I've seen players limp off with what turned out to be torn ACLs, broken feet, etc. But I have never seen a players leg snap the way his did. It was horrendous to see and I feel so sorry for him, so soon after getting that superb goal on Saturday at Chesterfield. For a player who has been so durable for the Alex and who relies so much on his speed, this is the worst possible injury for him to get and at a point where it'll compromise not just the Alex's season, but his future in the game. I wish him a speedy recovery, but it'll be some time before he's back on the pitch.

The bigger worry, as silly as that sounds, was Tom Lowery. His return has been vital in getting the Alex moving in midfield. So to see him hobble off after yet another overly robust Fleetwood challenge was arguably more disheartening than Tracey. We have to hope and pray his issue isn't anything serious, as the Alex's promotion hopes would be severely damaged if it is.

Outstanding

If I had one bit of nice thing to say, it would be for the opponents. Yes, criticise their diving and physical approach which went too far at times, but they were brilliant tonight. They tactically outmatched the Alex in every facet, on and off the pitch. They were quicker, sharper, played the better football, showed superb finishing when needed and dug in to record a comfortable victory.

Tactics

Part of the issue the Alex have is, for all the good things Lee Bell does, he doesn't know how to set his side up at home. He plays 5 at the back, it's too defensive and they struggle to create chances. He plays 4 at the back, they are left badly exposed despite looking better going forward. He can't seem to strike the right balance and it's been an issue since he took over. The most concerning thing is, I'm not seeing many signs that he can get it right either.

Change the Shape!

Tonight is a classic example of my concerns with the management and their struggles at home. They played the exact same system as Saturday, which ok, no issues there. But the moment Tracey came off, it was the ideal time to change things. They were getting mauled and had to do something to stem the tide. Their solution? Bring on Powell, push Holicek upfront and keep things exactly the same. Make it makes sense. What was that supposed to do exactly?

An obvious solution would have been to put Powell into midfield alongside Lowery and Sanders, push Holicek and Tabiner upfront together and gone with a 5-3-2 and seen how that worked. They didn't and by half time, the game was over.

A quick aside though, anyone who criticises them for not putting on Bogle or Long, clearly neither were fit enough to do 75+ minutes. The question as to why have 2 half fit strikers on the bench when Thibaut and Roberts were available, now that is one I'd like an answer to!

Positives

To try and salvage some positivity out of what feels like an disaster of an evening, it was that only Bradford won out of the other top 8 sides. They remain inside the top 7 and still have a small gap on Grimsby. The Mariners could only draw at home to Tranmere. The Vale drew at home to Harrogate, Donny lost at Bromley, Wimbledon lost at Morecambe, Walsall drew at Carlisle and Notts County lost to Barrow at home. Everyone in the top 7, Bradford aside, had a shocker.

Closer to home, whilst the injury to Lowery is a big worry, if he's avoided anything serious, they are ok. Bogle and Long are getting more minutes and Long bagged another tonight. Hemmings, Lankester, Demetriou and Connolly can't be far off returns either. Health wise, they are still in decent shape it feels. And whilst losing heavily at home has brought their morale and momentum down several pegs I'm sure, they are back on the road on Saturday, where they'll feel far more comfortable I'll wager. There are 11 big games to come and they are still in a great spot to get a play-off place. We shouldn't lose sight of that.

Ref Assessment

Woeful. Gave them lots of soft fouls, including the free kick which led to the 3rd, which never was.

Management Assessment

A disaster of a night for them in every way. We'll have a larger discussion about them and their struggles at home at a later date.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Not sure he could do much for the goals as they were all good finishes. One of a few who didn't disgrace himself.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

I won't put his struggles on him, it was the poor system and Fleetwood's high press which put him in some uncomfortable spots. His half time hook was more tactical than a reflection on his performance, but he struggled.

Connor O'Riordan

Didn't deal with Graydon at all. Woefully out of position for the 1st, his night didn't get better. His worst performance since returning.

Zac Williams

Like the rest of the back 3, he had a really poor night, but again, I don't pin that on him.

Ryan Cooney

Just not at the races and the fans are right to ask why Billington was dropped for him, as he didn't justify his recall. He gives his all, but he's a limited player I'm afraid.

Max Sanders

One run and shot in the first half was about as good as it got for him as Fleetwood ran rings around him in midfield. Once again the easy scapegoat to haul off after 72 minutes, when Powell, subbed on or not, was probably the more suitable option.

Tommy Lowery

A tough game, but he was lively and tried his best to drag the Alex back into the game. We just need to pray the whack he got was a knock and nothing more serious. They can't afford 2 long term injuries in the same game.

Max Conway MOTM

Not much competition, but he got up and down the left hand side really well to be fair and his crossing was really good.

Joel Tabiner

Still looks more comfortable on the right wing, he was another who can hold his head up high and say he put in a shift. That being said, his far post header in the 2nd half should have ended up on target, not 10 yards wide.

Shilow Tracey

Just awful. Thoughts go to him and we can only hope to see him back on a pitch soon.

Matus Holicek

I felt for him, he grafted despite being pushed from LW to ST and back to LW. He wasted a free header in a great position, but it was a tough night and I don't blame any struggles on him.

Subs

Jack Powell

Woeful. His forward passing ability is terrible, although I will at least credit him with trying.

Omar Bogle

Huffed and puffed but got little service to feed on. It's at least a positive that he got through 45 minutes relatively unscathed.

Conor Thomas

Rusty once again, which is fine. But where he fits into the team going forward, I'm not really sure.

Chris Long

Long being Long once again. Can only do 20 minutes, but scores in that 20 minutes. Again, is that enough?

Overall Verdict

The Alex will now need to lick their wounds, literally and metaphorically, and try to bounce back at Salford, which I actually back them in more than if it were at Gresty Road. The feel good factor has disappeared completely once again. Let's hope on Saturday, they can get it back.