Salford City 1-1 Crewe Alex 24/25 Review - Don't Shoot!

I'm going to start this review with a statement. Teams choosing to switch ends needs to be binned off. I hate it at Gresty Road and I don't even sit in the Gresty Road End. So much atmosphere was sucked out of Moor Lane today when the teams switched ends, meaning the Alex would be shooting towards the home fans in the 2nd half. I didn't even like it at Chesterfield last week and they scored 2 in front of the away fans.

Tough 68

For the first 68 minutes of today's game, it was a dreadful watch. Both teams were huffing and puffing trying to find an opener on a frankly atrocious pitch. It looked destined for a 0-0 before N'Mai's goal, which saw the contest actually burst into life. This was a low quality affair until the final 20.

Mix Up

It was that needed a goal and it got one. A pass into Okoronkwo went by him unexpectedly and Billington was caught unawares as it rolled into the penalty area. That allowed the lively N'Mai, who was Salford's only consistent threat, to sneak in between BNillo and Marshall, nip it around the keeper and roll into an empty net. The Alex defended well for the most part, but that was a honking error which seemed like it would be the deciding moment until....

Outrageous O'Riordan

For the 10 minutes after N'Mai's goal, the Alex had tried in vain to get back into the game. It looked to be slipping away from them. But then, out of nowhere, Connor O'Riordan picked up the ball 30 yards from goal, took 5 steps forward and looked to be shaping to shoot. "Don't shoot" were the immediate words out of my mouth. Well, thankfully he didn't hear me or have 2nd thoughts about letting one go, as he unleashed a thunderbolt into the far corner, giving Jamie Jones no chance.

Mayhem

The final 15 minutes of that game were honestly ridiculous, with both teams having great chances to win it. The Alex amassed 1.15 of their xG in those minutes, registered 10 of their 21 shots in that time. I'm sure both sides will feel they could and should have won it, but in the end, another draw was all they could manage.

The final noteworthy clash was between Rosaire Longelo and Matus Holicek, as Holicek tactically fouled Longelo and the Salford player took offence to that, grabbing Holicek's shirt. They were then joined by the rest of their teammates as a general pushing and shoving match broke out. It was a fiery end to what had been for the most part, a dull game.

Big Picture

I'd be remiss if I didn't zoom out and look at this draw in context. Yes, in isolation, it was a well fought point at a tough ground after what must have been a mentally draining week for the management and players after the battering on Tuesday and Shilow Tracey's horrific injury.

But, this felt like a missed opportunity. Grimsby and Colchester both winning allowed them to move within striking distance of the Alex and now we'll be sat nervously watching the results come in on Tuesday as both of those 2 play their games in hand. And, this ends a run of somewhat favourable games for the Alex that saw them win just 5

of their last 17 games, with only 2 of those fixtures coming against other top 7 teams.

They now face a run of 5 games where they play the sides in 3rd, 5th, 6th, 2nd and 8th. It's a brutal run and I can't help but feel like they needed more points from the last few months. If they go and beat Donny next Saturday, then this is draw is a decent one. If they don't beat Donny, then we might be left to rue not finding the winner today.

Ref Assessment

I felt he should have blown a couple of times for fouls on Thibaut and there were a few frustrating calls, but overall I don't think he was that bad to be honest. He'll always be Trevor Kettle's son, but his dad was far worse.

Management Assessment

I don't get them consistently refusing to put 3 CMs on the pitch. I didn't mind the starting XI, but Holicek was wasted in the number 10 role, which they should know full well by now. To be fair though, they got the subs spot on and it helped swing the game in their favour.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

I'm not sure if the goal is on him or Billo, but he was faultless outside of that mix up. He made a big save from Matty Lund late on.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

Did ok, but whilst I don't think he's been bad, I will always maintain they look better as a back 4 and if so, he should be the one to make way.

Connor O'Riordan MOTM

A decent defensive display capped off with a ridiculous strike to salvage a point.

Zac Williams

The Alex have kept 2 clean sheets in their last 10 games. The 2 games in question? The 2 Williams was suspended for. Ok, maybe that's harsh, as he was ok today, but I just can't shake the feeling Bell's insistence on finding a spot for him every week is harming the team.

Lewis Billington

A very poor game. He struggled to deal with N'Mai all afternoon, getting beat on several occasions. The goal is at least partially on him and he got booked as well. He can have no complaints if he's back on the bench next Saturday.

Jack Powell

The boot the ball in the air style is never going to suit Jack's game. I'm struggling to think of anything noteworthy he did to be honest. A forgettable 72 minutes.

Tommy Lowery

Thankfully his ankle injury didn't keep him out, although the team's tactics and a terrible pitch meant his effectiveness was reduced. Still, he came close with a first half free kick.

Max Conway

Nowhere near as attack minded as he should have been. Maybe that was him not feeling it today, maybe it was instructions from the manager. But he wasn't great.

Matus Holicek

Ineffectual in the number 10 role, which came as no surprise. Get him playing on the left in a front 3, I think he's much more suited to playing out there against players that are typically smaller.

Omar Bogle

Was unfortunate a couple of chances in either half didn't quite fall for him, he held the ball up pretty well at times, but was chasing shadows for a lot of the time.

Adrien Thibaut

Worked his socks off in a surprise start. Possibly could have made of a 1st half chance, but he was feeding off scraps until he came off.

Subs:

Conor Thomas

Got stuck in and was one of the driving reasons the Alex looked better in the final stages. Is he fit enough for a start next week?

Joel Tabiner

Another lively sub, he did his best to try and fashion some chances down the Alex's right hand side.

Chris Long

Couldn't quite get a bouncing ball under control when he looked clean through, but he too made a difference as the Alex played with more pace and energy.

Kane Hemmings

It's good to see him back, but he has to score that 90th minute chance, it was a sitter.

Ryan Cooney

Came on to relieve Billo, couldn't do much in the 10 minutes he was on.

Overall Verdict

2-4-1 in their last 7 away games is decent going. Draw your away games and all that. But the best test now, as it has been for weeks now, is to see if they can follow it up at home. They have a tough run of games coming up now which will decide whether they'll stay in the top 7 or not. My gut feeling is not winning games like this will come back to haunt them. Let's hope they prove wrong as they have done so often.