Crewe Alex: Moving Forward?

Last weekend saw Crewe Alexandra pick up a somewhat unexpected victory away against Portsmouth. The Railwaymen picked up a 1-0 victory on the road, the only and winning goal coming courtesy of captain George Ray. Before the game we were at odds of about 8/1 on most betting sites, Pompey being odds on favourites. The odds showed the scale of the upset, as did the gap between the two teams, pre-match.

As I have mentioned in numerous articles previously, a win soon becomes less important and sometimes even forgotten if you don’t kick on from it – that’s what we need to do now. George Ray was also keen to make that known in his interview with the Crewe Chronicle, source for quotes. The skipper told the Chronicle:

“We have beaten Portsmouth and now we have to do a job on Newport on Saturday.’

“We need to win, it`s a must-win game. We are still in a scrap, we need to beat them at home.”

Also in the interview he mentioned the quality of the Fratton Park performance (source for quotes is again the Crewe Chronicle).

“It was a great team performance, we kept the shape perfect. Two banks of four and we countered on them.’

“Not many teams come and play two up front against (Portsmouth), but we did. It wasn`t a fluke, I don`t think they had many shots.’

As George said ‘it wasn’t a fluke’, meaning we do have that quality in our ranks – which we do. Nugent and Ray form a very solid defensive partnership. Dagnall, though currently suspended, is a very efficient and prolific lower league striker. Bowery was once a highly rated youngster, and has linked up many attacks this season and added a fluidity to our offensive play. Kiwomya, Cooke and Cooper all have the beating of their man. They are fast and skilful and confident – all of which are vital in being a quality wide man in any league. The central midfield are capable of moving the ball well. Yes. The quality hasn’t exactly been shining through all season, but is starting to show under Dave Artell and Kenny Lunt – who are doing an excellent job in a very difficult one. However it is now up to us, and no one else, to prove George right. To show it wasn’t a fluke.

This Saturday Crewe are at home to strugglers Newport County – who look to already be dead and buried, however anything can happen in football. County are rock bottom of the football league, and are staring the drop to the conference in the face. They are 11 points from safety, but do have a game in hand. Even if they win that though, ‘The Exciles’ would still be 8 points off safety. On paper, it is a game we should win. In my time as being a Crewe fan, I have noticed what we ‘should do’ we don’t.

However I am reasonably optimistic about Saturday. If we can keep moving the ball quickly, keep it on the floor, and not let Newport County out muscle us. If we are drawn into a physical game, it will be a long and hard 90 minutes