In a game in which Crewe Alexandra scored more goals in 90 minutes than we had done 11 games previous to that, The Railwaymen demolished Grimsby Town 5-0. The only highlight for ‘The Mariners’ was manager, ex-Alex fullback Marcus Bignot, apologising and facing the fans after the game – something many gaffers wouldn’t do in the modern game. Anyhow, from an Alex perspective, what a performance. 2 for Cooper, 2 for Dagnall and 1 for Calum Cooke on his home debut got 5 goals and 3 points in Dave Artell’s first win as manager. What a way to do it.
During the match, each and every player was; determined, quality, hungry for the game, able (executing ideas) and put in the graft to regain the ball. That was the Crewe Alexandra I fell in love with, and also the Crewe Alexandra we haven’t seen in a while. George Cooper received the Man of the Match (MoTM) accolade at the end of the match – but it could have been given to anyone truthfully. I incorrectly called Dagnall as Man of the Match; he also got a brace and, in my opinion, chased the game down more (thus why I gave him my award). However looking at the team as a whole, we created and finished chances, moved the ball well, looked like a solid back four and had effective and different ideas. However tonight’s game presents a whole different challenge.
Looking into this Valentine’s Day fixture, it could bring heartache for The Alex fans. Also, not beating about the bush, a 5-0 win is irrelevant and will soon be forgotten if you don’t build from it. We need to use the result and confidence as a springboard, a foundation, to jump/build from. I believe it will be a challenge to do so, but I believe we can – providing we play as well as we can (did against Grimsby). However the task that faces us, is a totally different one. We will have to adapt. No disrespect to Grimsby; Wycombe have stronger, more tactical and quite frankly better players than Grimsby. We lost 5-1 at Adams Park. We were pushed off the ball – bullied. We played a high back line, which was about as useful as a chocolate fireguard. We may as well have rolled out the red carpet for their attackers and polished their boots after they scored. It was diabolical. But since then, we have changed managers. Artell has come in bringing a passion to the team, tightening the defence with time. The back four of Turton, Nugent, Ray and Guthrie; have looked more confident. They communicate better, are more physical and more dominative in the air. They play a high line, successfully, catching people offside and not being pinned back – which massively helps at any level. However, physicality remains a concern of mine as we play Wycombe Wanderers tonight.
Take their number 20. Saheed Adebayo Akinfenwa, known by his nickname ‘The Beast’. The CEO of BMO (Beastmode) is a machine. Equipped with his ‘tree trunk legs’ Akinfenwa is a handful for any centre back. It should be a great battle between Ben and Beast, when Nugent attempts to contain Akinfenwa tonight. Nugent at 6’4 and built like a brick, won’t be a pushover. He’ll give just as much as he gets, even against Akinfenwa. The concern to me is the physicality Nugent at 6’4 and built like a brick, won’t be a pushover. He’ll give just as much as he gets, even against Akinfenwa. The concern to me is the physicality, of not just the beast but the whole team.
I’d like to end though with this thought though; if we play short and quick passing football, we can win. ‘Big men’ are famed for being somewhat un-agile. Exploit it. Use the speed we have. Give them the run around. Where them down, the exploit them with fresh legs – Super Subs. At 70 minutes versus Grimsby, the block in which I sit were shouting ‘ok, they are tired. Its Kiwomya time’. Tire Wycombe out, unleash Kiwomya, he runs rings around them, 3 points. Ok. It’s not that easy, but it is very possible. The momentum must go forth.
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