Crewe Alex: Mixed Reactions

New Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell made his first signing as Crewe boss earlier this week, with ex Aston Villa, Chesterfield and Rotherham striker Jordan Bowery joining the Alex in a loan move that will last until the end of the season, Jordan signed for Crewe having being transfer listed by his parent club and fellow relegation battlers Leyton Orient in a bid to help the misfiring Crewe squad.

Crewe need goals, and with plenty of balls being put into the box what they needed was a tall target man to comvert them and with our two current strikers, Ryan Lowe (5ft 11in) and Chris Dagnall (5ft 8in) both failing to hit the six foot mark they both struggle to convert the balls that are swung into the box. Jordan Bowery could be the man to fix that problem as the target man towers above his two striking partners at the Alex, at 6 foot 2 inches Dave Artell will be hoping the big man can score goals in his teams effort for survival.

However, the signing caused a mixture of reactions amongst Crewe fans as they know of his goalscoring records at other clubs that all together avearges at 1 goal every 8 games and with Crewe being the second lowest scorers in League Two with 25 goals in 26 games, on paper the move doesnt bode well for the saftey of the Alex in the football league as they sit 5 poins off the drop zone into non-league.

Fans opinions varied on the target man with @crewemainstand tweeting ‘Let’s hope he’s better than his goals scoring records suggests’ and @Fostercrewe tweeing ‘stats say he scores one every 8 games. Think we need a vast improvement for it to be a worthwhile singing’ and @TrevGriff57 said ‘Just what was needed, someone with pace and height something that’s been missing this season, scored goals last for Oxford in their promotion season. He obviously has ability for Aston Villa to sign him from Chesterfield and the Rotherham making him there record signing. I for one are looking forward to see him play’.

After reading his interview with the Crewe Chronicle* where Jordan said “I want to get myself going and help the team to get going as well. I think the way Crewe play will suit my style. I do like to mix it up. I can have the ball to feet or spin in between defenders. I like to stay on the last man and get in behind but also offer something in the air. I like to link up the play and be involved. I`ve not scored as many goals as I would like and I wants to improve on that. But I`ve made seven assists this season and people don`t notice that as much. I know I can contribute and the manager knows what I am like. I`ve played against him and he has just told me that this is an opportunity to show people what I can do. I`m looking forward to it.” My personal opinion is that the signing of Bowery is a good one as he is tall and powerful, with pace, and Aston Villa once paid £500,000 for him which shows he has something in his locker, despite his poor goalscoring record I believe with the right service Jordan can help break our bad form of only winning 2 in 22 by scoring lots of goals and by being as he seems in his interview a positive influence in the dressing room and on the pitch but only time will tell as the clock ticks down Crewe need goals and wins to remain a football league outfit next season.

Although Orient fans seemed pleased to see the back of him he could fit the bill at the Alex and we need to give him a chance, i think he should start up front with Dagnall on saturday as Crewe face league leaders Doncaster away and jumping straight in at the deep end will be a good test and will boost confidence if he nets against Doncaster who have only conceded 3 goals in their last 6 games and Crewe have only managed to net 3 in their last 6 games. Also since Marcus Haber left the club, we have been lacking a tall striker to win flick ons, headers in the box and to hold up the ball. Could Jordan Bowery be the piece of the puzzle we have been needing ?