Notts County 0-0 Crewe Alex 24/25 Review - Slipping Away

Football can be a complex game. Formations, tactics, xG, progressive passes, it can be hard to keep up with the terminology. But the crux of what this sport is about is a simple one. In the EFL, you start the season hoping to get promoted. You get promoted by finishing in the top 3/7(in L2 anyway). You finish up there by winning games. You win games by scoring goals. It's a not a hard concept.

Yes, there of course is more to it than that, but that is what it ultimately boils down to. Well, someone might want to tell Lee Bell, as his Alex side for most of the season have been playing with the handbrake on. And it'll cost them a top 7 spot if they don't buck their ideas up and soon. Here is my review of their frustrating 16th draw of the season at Meadow Lane:

In Isolation

I think I made a similar point after the Doncaster game last week, but a point in isolation today is a decent result for the Alex. Yes, Notts were understrength in attacking areas, but they held a decent side to very few clear chances and emerged with a clean sheet, their first at this ground since 1997. It was also their 14th of the season, more than they managed in the whole of last season. It wasn't a game devoid of positives.

Not to Blame

I'll also say this, this draw won't be what costs them a shot at the top 7. It won't be last week's draw against Doncaster. Nor will it be the next 3, against Port Vale, Grimsby and Bradford. You fail to beat a promotion chaser and it isn't the end of the world. Where they'll rue the missed opportunities are failing to take any wins from games against Newport(0/6), Swindon(2/6), Salford(2/6), Fleetwood(3/6), Accrington(3/6) and MK Dons(1/3) amongst others. There have been countless times where they could and should have done better in winnable games but failed to do so. Those are the games to look back on with regret.

Creativity

A frustrating aspect about today's attacking struggles is they weren't hobbled today by a lack of available options. Yes, Jack Lankester missing out with a tight quad was a blow, as him getting 15 minutes at the end might have made a difference. And Shilow Tracey's pace may have helped as well. But they had Hemmings, Bogle and Long fit. They had Tabiner, Holicek and Lowery all starting. Yet they couldn't muster a single shot on target.

It speaks to a chronic lack of creativity in the group. The starting XI today have 17 assists to their name this season and half of those came from Cooney and Holicek. Regardless of what happens in the final 8 games, creativity should be priority 1, 2 and 3 in the summer transfer market.

Fatigue

By far the biggest concern from today was seeing so many of the group looking leggy. The passing was sloppy, the movement not sharp or coordinated. And by the hour mark, Conway, Tabiner and Holicek all looked gassed amongst others. Are some approaching fatigue levels? Was this just a one off? With so many big games still to come in the next few weeks, it would be a concern if their energy is dropping just when they need to find their 2nd wind.

Mood Turning

I did fine some of the reactions from the fans around me interesting. There has been growing frustration from the stands at the Alex's recent attacking woes and I sense the mood might turning a bit. Cries of "attack, attack, attack, attack, attack" and a few boos at the full time whistle were not something you'd usually expect from the Alex fan base.

The comments after the game also speak volumes as to the fans thoughts on the brand of football Lee Bell is serving up. If the Alex play this way and lose to the Vale next week, then Gresty Road could turn toxic indeed. Which is mad given they are still very much in the promotion race.

Incidents

I'd be remiss if I didn't discuss the 2 Notts County penalty shouts, which to be honest reeked of desperation and a club trying to deflect away from their own poor form. First, the yellow for simulation on Charlie Whitaker. Maybe a yellow was a touch harsh. But please stop with the "there was contact" nonsense. He leaves his leg dangling and at no point is the touch between his leg and Marschall's enough to send him to the floor. It's not a penalty, no matter how many mental gymnastics you want to do.

Nor was Ryan Cooney's in the 2nd half. Yes, it was clumsy to step across with his elbow like that, but you aren't getting penalties for those sorts of challenges. In both cases, the reaction of the 'fouled' players said a lot. Meek protests at best. Sorry County fans, but if you think the ref robbed you today, you're wrong.

Ref Assessment

He'll come in for a lot of stick from County fans, but I thought he was fine and let several things go on both sides.

Management Assessment

I did admire them going for it slightly towards the end as they took off Cooney and brought on an extra attacker. But with Tabiner and Holicek going off, it took all of their creativity. So it counted for nothing. But I'll credit them for the attempt.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

One mishit pass in the first half aside, he was solid and made the saves he was expected to make.

Connor O'Riordan

Started on the right of defence and whilst he didn't struggle, he didn't look his usual commanding self either. I wonder how much the hip was bothering him.

Mickey Demetriou MOTM

Probably the highlight of the game was his triple block in 15 seconds, as he stopped a free kick, a distance shot and then another ball on the half way line. His return was a welcome one.

Lewis Billington

Bizarrely started at LCB, which I didn't get. Coped fine there and then at RB once they switched formations. If Bell persists with the back 5 against Port Vale, I do think his spot is under threat.

Ryan Cooney

A shaky display where a harsher ref might blow for a penalty on him, not that I think it was. The fact he got taken off after 64 minutes to accommodate the system switch was telling of the afternoon he had.

Tommy Lowery

Tried to make things happen, but couldn't get anything going. He's had a few fairly forgettable games recently.

Conor Thomas

I will never see in Thomas what so many apparently do. He did put in a few challenges, yes. But he so completely stunts them in their build up play, it's maddening. There are better midfielders sat on the bench.

Max Conway

Blowing after an hour, which is concerning. Is he feeling the pace of a full season for the first time in his career? It's a worry given the current system relies so heavily on the wing back play.

Matus Holicek

An ineffective game where he couldn't get much going and he also looked gassed after 60 minutes.

Kane Hemmings

A decent display where he did his best to hold the ball up and win flick ons. He could have done better with 2 first half chances.

Joel Tabiner

Candidate 3 for looking well short of fitness today. He was lively in the first half, but faded badly in the 2nd and was fortunate to last as long as he did.

Subs:

Max Sanders

16 touches and 11 passes attempted in 31 minutes of play summed up a fairly anonymous cameo from him.

Chris Long

Had a half chance which seemed to be incorrectly flagged off side, but aside from that, he too provided minimal impact.

Omar Bogle

Ditto for Bogle. A few bits of hold up play, but he never really got into the game.

Jack Powell

He was a bit more involved than Sanders, but he too couldn't provide much energy to a flagging group towards the end.

Overall Verdict

The only consolation, despite slipping from 8th to 9th, is that they started the day 1 point off the play-offs and ended the day in the same spot. The pressure is now massively on for the derby against the Vale next week. Fail to win that and I think Bell will start to see what is simmering fan anger towards his tactics boil over into full blown rage.