Following five home wins on the bounce, expectations were high as Crewe hosted Blackpool. Despite the 9 goals in the last two home games, performances have been average of late. Crewe were missing their midfield duo of Gary Roberts and Michael O’Connor, and we really did we miss them! Their absence led to a change in formation, with Crewe adopting a 4-3-3. Danny O’Donnell was left on the bench, with Andy Taylor making his debut at left back. Ben Rix, David Vaughan and debutant Isaac Osbourne filled the midfield. Rodney Jack returned to partner Nicky Maynard and Luke Varney up front.
Blackpool began brightly, but it was Crewe who had the first chance of any note. Jon Otsemobor’s hanging free kick found Julien Baudet who failed to convert. Crewe were left to rue that miss as Blackpool went ahead in the 3rd minute. Wesley Hoolahan’s throw-in found Andy Morrell 20 yards out, who slightly miscued his volley, which looped over the helpless Ben Williams and into the net. Blackpool deserved that good fortune as reward for seizing the initiative so early on, and the Seasiders looked to be a good passing side in the early stages.
However, Blackpool’s style of play changed dramatically following their opener, as they sat back in a rigid shape, deploying the long ball for much of the game. Blackpool defended resolutely, but cleanly, though Keith Southern’s two-footed tackle brought an exception. The referee, who had a poor game from both sides’ point of view, should’ve sent him off but decided on a yellow card instead.
As the half progressed, Crewe lacked movement and tempo as Blackpool’s solid defence proved too great a barrier. Debutant Andy Taylor looked lively down the left as he attacked with intent, though Isaac Osbourne was disappointing in midfield. Crewe had several penalty appeals turned down, and probably rightly so, as they appeared to be ball to hand rather than hand to ball. However, despite Crewe’s dominance, it was Blackpool who had the better chances, with Ben Williams forced into making several fine saves.
Blackpool’s lead was intact at half-time with Crewe looking lacklustre in midfield. Crewe’s tempo and passing was frustratingly slow, allowing Blackpool to forsee and nullify any danger. David Vaughan was the only midfielder to perform on the day, whilst the forwards were suffering from a lack of service. Similarly to the first-half against Carlisle, Crewe’s front three weren’t effective, as none of the forwards offered any width, leaving Crewe with 3 narrow strikers effectively out of the game.
As the second half began, Williams was forced into a couple of good saves. At the other end, Nicky Maynard couldn’t quite bring down Ben Rix’s lofted pass in time as Rhys Evans rushed out to smother it. Blackpool’s Simon Gillet was booked for time wasting, and was lucky to escape another booking following a dive in Crewe’s box.
Crewe finally mustered a scrappy equaliser from a set play as Baudet’s header from a Vaughan free-kick was blocked on the line, as was Ben Rix’s follow-up, but Nicky Maynard couldn’t miss as he bagged his tenth goal of the season. In the 78th minute, Dario introduced Michael Higdon in place of Rodney Jack. The idiotic boo-boys once again decided to boo Higdon; quite what they believe can be gained from that is anyone’s guess.
With Crewe playing towards their favoured Gresty Road End, and seemingly possessing the momentum following their equaliser, chances of victory were further increased by Gillet’s stupididity. Gillet’s frustration at his miscontrol and the referee got the better of him as he kicked the ball away into the stands following the referee’s whistle, rightly culminating in a second yellow card.
Crewe were lucky not to be down to ten as substitute Michael Higdon – on for Rodney Jack, caught Ian Evatt in the face with his elbow. Fortunately for Crewe, the referee saw no intent, instead booking Higdon for clumsily catching Evatt with a leading arm.
Crewe mustered a few more efforts in the closing minutes, with Isaac Osbourne firing wide form 30 yards. As Blackpool held the ball up in the corner, as any team would when down to 10 men and away from home, Andy Taylor gave away a needless free-kick as he barged into the Blackpool player. It was one of the few things Taylor did wrong all game. To their credit, Blackpool went for goal instead of holding the ball up, with Keigan Parker delivering the ball for Shaun Barker to head home. Dario will doubtless be rueing his decision to leave Varney up.
Player Ratings
Ben Williams 7
Williams made several fine saves throughout the game, though his communication with Baudet must improve. Williams was given countless tricky backpasses throughout the game, and his kicking was upto scratch throughout.
Jon Otsemobor 5
Semmy had one of his blasé and lazy days, as he failed to contribute anything to the game apart from his hanging free-kicks to the far post.
Andy Taylor 7
Given that Taylor has never trained with the club before, and only met Dario for the first time prior to kick-off, this was a very good debut. Although there is room for improvement defensively, he attacked well and looked to be a good player.
Neil Cox 6
Made a good block from Hoolahan in the second half
Julien Baudet 5
Baudet was better in the second half, but his clumsy display in the first half will give hope to Danny O’Donnell and Darran Kempson
Ben Rix 4
This was a woeful return to the team from Rix. Rix tried to contest the physical battles when he could, but usually ended up bouncing off the player and flying across the floor. Rix failed to create anything apart from a half-chance for Nicky Maynard, and failed to inject any tempo into the game. A poor, poor man’s Kenny Lunt.
Isaac Osbourne 5
Osbourne is highly rated at Coventry as an industrious ball winner. Osbourne won very few balls, perhaps closing down more than others, but failing to get a tackle in. More Justin Cochrane than Momo Sissoko, or even Gary Roberts.
David Vaughan 8
Vaughan looked like he wanted to earn himself a January move, and this is the way to go about it. Vaughan was hungry for the ball, often dropping just in front of the back four to pick up the ball and start a move. Vaughan beat men with ease and was Crewe’s only source of effective creativity.
Rodney Jack 6
Tried, but with little effect
Nicky Maynard 6
As with all the forwards, he struggled as a result of poor service. His poaching instincts earned him his tenth of the season, however.
Luke Varney 6
Varney worked hard but was given very little service by the midfield
Sub: Michael Higdon 5
Failed to make an impact, apart from on Evatt’s face