Crewe Alex 3-0 Barrow 24/25 Review - Made in Crewe

2 weeks ago, I was deep in despair. A heavy home defeat to a poor Newport side left me feeling very low. But what a difference a couple of weeks make. The weather is improving, the Alex's injury situation seems to be slowly improving and maybe, just maybe, their form and results are improving. Today they picked up a much needed win over Barrow, their first win in 7 and their first home win in 4. Here is my review of the game:

Through the Motions

Let's start by stating a fact: Barrow were on the beach today. They came with a very stand off approach and let the Alex play. They made things very easy. Yes, they had some big chances in the first half, but in the 2nd half they barely mustered a response and they looked beaten the moment the 2nd goal went in. If I was a Barrow fan, I'd be seriously questioning whether I bother going to any more away games this season if this is how they intend to play. But for the Alex, they shouldn't count on any of their remaining games being that simple.

Team Win

This was a win where everyone contributed. Lewis Billington made a big goal line block, Filip Marschall superbly denied Pressley, O'Riordan got a goal from a smart Jack Powell free kick. Lowery bagged a penalty which came from Thibaut chasing a lost cause, Holicek got his first league goal of the season. Callum Agius's run and ball for Holicek's goal was outstanding. There were no passengers and every player can say they played a part in this win.

Made in Crewe

The last time the Alex had 3 different academy graduates all on the score sheet in a league game was back in December 2020 in a 4-2 win at home to Swindon. In a season where there have been question marks about the number of graduates in the team, this game was a reminder of what the club is still about. O'Riordan from a set piece, Lowery from the spot, a fine Holicek finish from a Callum Agius feed and scholar Luca Moore getting his debut caps off a fine afternoon that felt like a throwback to the Crewe of old. Long may it continue.

Better Football

Not only did the key moments come from academy graduates, but the last few weeks have felt like a return to the Crewe of old, with today being the culmination of that. 480 successful passes and an 87% passing success rate were season high totals by a long margin. Having 3 technical players who all want to get on the ball and pass it in midfield has helped massively, as has moving Tabiner and Holicek out of there in my opinion. Yes, they are a bit more open, but they are far, far better to watch.

I'd rather see them play this way, win, lose or draw, than the slow and turgid stuff we've seen for long stretches this season. Yes, it won't be smooth sailing as they enter a very tough stretch of games in their next 8, but this will be a massive confidence boost ahead of the trip to Chesterfield next week.

Bit of Luck

I'll be honest, I think the Alex got some luck today that perhaps had been missing in the last few weeks. The early dive from Mahoney might well have been given as a penalty in previous games. The ball bouncing in from O'Riordan somehow. The challenge in Thibaut being ruled as in the box, not outside of it. Yes, you make your own luck, but it felt today like the bounces that had been going against them lately went for them.

Ref Assessment

I think most forgot this was David Rock doing the game. But for the 4th game in a row, he was pretty solid. Again, a couple of strange calls, namely Thibaut being blocked off in the 2nd half and having a foul given against him. But aside from that, Mr Rock was fine.

Management Assessment

They've had to be brave with their team selections and tactics in the last few weeks and today, they got their reward as the whole team stepped up. Suddenly, if/when players start returning, they are going to have to make some tough choices selection wise.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Made a big save in the first half, he also came and made some big catches and punches under pressure. It wasn't his most busy performance, but he did what he was required to do well.

Lewis Billington MOTM

Made a huge block when Pressley looked destined to score. Solid at RB and did his best to try and get forward. It was his long ball which set Agius away to create the 3rd. Deserves a run of starts now.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

Solid and worked hard to keep the Barrow attack quiet. Thankfully his worrying looking shoulder injury in the first half didn't prove to be too serious and he was able to continue.

Connor O'Riordan

He's been vital since all the other CBs have been either injured or suspended in the last few weeks and he's got the reward he deserved as he bundled in the opener.

Max Conway

A relatively quiet game, but no less important as he made the most dribbles and most tackles. I felt he could have been a bit sharper in attack, but overall he was fine.

Max Sanders

Still can't complete 90 minutes, but he kept things ticking in midfield alongside Powell and Lowery.

Jack Powell

Like Sanders, he kept things moving and I like the growing understanding he and his midfield partners. His struggles to find forward passes are a touch frustrating though.

Tommy Lowery

Full credit to him for stepping up and scoring the penalty. Had that one been missed, it could have been a game changer. But at 2-0, they never looked in any danger of letting things slip.

Joel Tabiner

A quieter game, but he still looks far more comfortable working off the right. And to his credit, he registered 0.50 xG/xA, so he deserved his name on the stats sheet.

Adrien Thibaut

He probably should have done better with his chance in the first half when he could only tamely dribble a shot at Farman. But then, his sheer determination saw him win the decisive penalty, so he can feel happy with his afternoon's work.

Matus Holicek

Started quietly, but got better as the game went on and space opened up. And he took his first league goal of the season and his first ever Gresty Road goal superbly well. I'm delighted for him.

Subs:

Callum Agius

Get this man some more game time. His run for the 3rd was outstanding.

Fin Roberts

Couldn't do much in the short amount of minutes he was on, but it's nice to see him back and getting some game time.

Luca Moore

What a moment for the youngster to get a league debut. I suspect we might be seeing more of him in the coming seasons.

Overall Verdict

A massive morale boosting win to not only breathe life into what had been fading promotion hopes, but to set them nicely for a horrible looking run in March. Roll on Chesterfield.