Ray’s Ray of Hope

New manager David Artell made it clear in one of his first press conferences as Crewe Alexandra manager that every player would get an opportunity, on what he described as a ‘clean slate’, in a new chapter of the football club. The first player to get another bite of the cherry was centre back George Ray. The 23 year old made his first league start against Luton Town, and definitely made the most of the chance he was given.

Ray picked up the man of the match (MOTM) award after the match, and deservedly so in my opinion. He won at least 90% of aerial duels and barely put a foot wrong when it came to tackling and moving the ball out of the back. His quality performance came as a shock to be, given that he not started a single league game before. I have always seen something in Ray’s play, despite some fans believing him to be a liability. The quality came to the show, when The Alex were beaten 2-1 by Luton. I know some people may be thinking, how can you concede 2 goals as a centre back and be credited with such an accolade. However if you look at the game as a whole it is easy to see why, a very solid performance in which you did everything you should and successfully as well.

After grasping the opportunity he was given with both hands, George was keen to thank Artell for allowing him to have a shot at claiming back a first team spot. He told the Crewe Chronicle (source for the quotes),

‘It is a fresh start, I’ve blanked my mind, clean slate. Everything in the past has gone, Dave’s here, new start, I felt good going out on Saturday.

‘I’m just happy to be back in the team and for what I think is a fair chance for me with Dave coming in.

‘There were things going on which maybe put me off my football a bit but, as a professional, you have to keep going and hope things change, and they have.’

He also went on to admit he was considering a move, going into January (source again Crewe Chronicle):

‘It was in my mind I wanted to get out. I wanted to play, as a footballer you want to play or at least give yourself the best chance of playing.

‘Getting away from here was in my mind as maybe the right thing to do, but now Dave has spoken to me and said he’s going to give me a chance.

‘I played for the U23s a week ago and Dave spoke to me afterwards and I felt better in myself, that I had a better chance, so I put everything into training and it has shown and I got a place.

‘I took that chance on Saturday. Obviously the result didn’t go our way and we need to start picking up points but, for me, it was a good start.’

Personally I am very glad to see George back in contention for a first team spot, perhaps even working to cement one, after the MOTM performance against The Hatters. I see Ray to be a quality player with the ball at his feet. He can move it well and is fairly quick footed, especially for a centre back.

Going into Doncaster, I expect and hope to see that Ray has kept his place in the team. I also hope he can go on to claim it week in and week out.