Crewe Alex 3-1 Bristol Rovers 26-27 Review - Gas Leak

Winning against any team is enjoyable. But beating the brakes off a Steve Evans/Paul Raynor team is doubly sweet. I don't know why Evans wasn't on the touchline today, but Raynor did enough screaming and moaning for both of them. What a vile pair of arseholes. Their football is a disgrace, their teams approach is disgusting and the day they finally retire from the game will be a day to celebrate. I'm so glad we don't have to face them again until late April. This is my review of the Alex's much deserved, long overdue and incredibly enjoyable win over Bristol Rovers:

Everyone

Where has this performance been? It was one full of drive, energy and intensity. The Alex got stuck into challenges, battled with a limited but highly physical Gas side and gave as good as they got. We saw it at times last season, but usually it was after a defeat. This was a throwback to the first 4 games of last season, where they built an early lead and then saw the game out with relative ease.

There were no bad performances from anyone in an Alex shirt today. I won't even be too harsh on Booth for the Kamwa consolation. They were all excellent. They all put in a shift, all contributed in some meaningful way and should take full plaudits for how they stepped up.

This in itself has been the frustration. When we see this level of performance, from a depleted side missing Hutchinson, Demetriou, Holicek and Agius no less, it makes you wonder why it's taken 9 games for it to come out. But we're not going to dwell on that.

Fast Start

A goal inside a minute. We don't see many of those do we? It was a goal of simplicity. A ball over the top from Tabiner. A lovely cut inside from Lankester and a finish we know he's got in him, as he bent the ball superbly into the far corner to open his league account.

What was different about today was that the Alex were able to build on their early lead. A brainless challenge in the box by Kilgour on Offord gave Lankester the chance to double his and the Alex's total and he calmly did so. It was the platform and belief they needed to go and get the win.

Physicality

I've mentioned it above, but what impressed me the most today was their willingness to mix it physically. This team isn't the tallest or the strongest in the league and that has been one of their weaknesses through the first 8 games. But today they made up for it with sheer determination and grit, standing up to some frankly disgraceful play by the Gas. They weren't afraid to get into confrontations and stand up for each other, which is something you need to do from time to time. They can't allow teams to bully them and today, they didn't.

Spark

Jordan Gibson had a funny game where everything he did bar the goal wasn't great. But when you score, I'm not too bothered. He's now got 2 in back to back home games, Lankester is off the mark in the league, March and Tabiner registered assists. Thibaut put in a hell of shift given he was battered from pillar to post by the Gas back 3. Lunt alongside White made a big difference. With Agius back from international duty next week and hopefully whatever kept Holicek out today being nothing serious, fingers crossed the attackers are sparking into life. If they do and if they can find some consistency, then the frustration of the opening few games will be quickly forgotten about.

Referee

I don't normally have a lot to say about the ref, but my god, Matthew Russell today was an utter disgrace. He should have sent off Tom James on 8 minutes. The first foul on March was a yellow, then his wrestling with March afterwards should have drawn a 2nd. Clinton Mola should have been booked a few minutes later for dragging down Tabiner off the ball. Kilgour shoulder barged Thibaut and he should have had a yellow and he definitely should have seen yellow for the foul on Offord for the penalty. There were numerous shirt pulls and tactical fouls which either went unpunished or weren't punished accordingly. Lunt was shoved into the boards and that maybe should have been a red for dangerous play by who else but Mola again.

Let's be fair and admit Lunt on another day could have been sent off for his horse collar pull to the floor on 35 minutes. I don't think it was a red, but it wasn't far off one. The barrier for a foul varied from ripping a players shirt off(Tabiner) to breathing on someone. He was wildly inconsistent with what he let go and what he pulled back. It was honestly one of the worst performances I've seen from a ref. He was massively in over his head and I hope we don't see him for quite a while.

Wonder Goal

It didn't take much shine off what was an almost universally positive afternoon, but the frustration at not getting a clean sheet is there, even if it's a small frustration. Do you blame Booth for day dreaming and being too far out of his goal, or do you just applaud Kamwa's vision and audacity to try it? I've seen things in the first 9 games of this season that I've never seen watching the Alex for almost 20 years. Playing against 9 men. A keeper dropping the ball and March nipping in to score. And now a goal from fully 60 yards out.

And on a side note, Crewe fans must be the most patient and fair group ever. There were more people in the main stand clapping the finish than bemoaning the fact we'd conceded a goal. At least they know the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. The same definitely can't be said for the 2 gobshites running Bristol Rovers at the moment.

Opposition Analysis

Surprisingly poor. A continuation from their games against Grimsby and Gillingham it seems. Unbeatable at home, incredibly poor away. They weren't in the game at any point and they were wide open at the back whilst also lacking any serious threat up front. Maybe they were a little light on numbers as they only had 6 subs, but if they expect to finish in the top 3 with an injury prone Ellis Harrison and Joe Quigley as their attacking options, then January might be urgently needed to add some firepower.

Referee Assessment

Said all I needed to say above. Atrocious.

Management Assessment

A good day for them. They made a big call to bring Lankester back in and start Lunt, but it worked out nicely. They made the best of a short bench and they got a full and committed performance from the players. More of the same next week please.

Player Assessments

Tom Booth

One faux pas aside, he was excellent. Came out quickly to collect through balls and loose passes, collected a couple of high crosses and commanded his area well. He'll be frustrated to have conceded the goal he did though. Hopefully a learning moment for him.

Lewis Billington

Back to his best in the last 2 games. Still a little frustrating going forward, as twice he could have released the ball in dangerous positions, but overall he coped well with the tricky Kamwa.

Luke Offord

Outstanding against Harrison, nulified everything they threw at him. Won the penalty and put in a commanding display.

Josh Stephenson

Got an early booking, but kept his composure to see the game out. I don't think he put a foot wrong, his partnership with Offord is a promising one.

Kyle Ure

An underrated performance at LB after some struggles last week. You can tell he's not fully comfortable there, but with Hutchinson hopefully not too far away, that could free him to battle for a spot in midfield.

Joe White

A lot better, his early free kick was only narrowly over and he gave a good account of himself both going forward and defensively. Covered a lot of ground.

Owen Lunt

My god what a miss he's been. Is it a coincidence that he starts and the energy levels of the team go up massively? His yellow was a bit reckless as it could have drawn a red on another day, but his engine to keep running and driving late into the game was incredible. They have got to keep him fit, they are a better side with him in it.

Jack Lankester MOTM

Whilst he faded in the 2nd half, we can't overlook his outstanding contributions in the first half. A beautiful finish for the 1st and a calm penalty for the 2nd. Add in his 2 goals in the Trophy and his almost finish last week and there is hope that we're seeing the best of him again. Watch out L2 if he is getting his mo-jo back.

Joel Tabiner

I queried those who said he'd been brilliant, but even I can't deny that today he was excellent. Mola had to resort to fouling him to stop him playing. His assist didn't require a high level of creativity, but they all count and he's now up to 4. Hopefully his early 2nd half withdrawal was a precaution and not something that will see him miss games.

Josh March

His usual battling performance, even if it's not his natural spot. Can we talk about his inch perfect through ball for Gibson's goal though? Outstanding.

Adrien Thibaut

Didn't get a goal contribution, but he gave the Rovers defenders no end of problems and rightfully got a rousing reception when he came off. He put in a hell of a shift and tried to play football rather than just tussling with the opponents.

Subs:

Jordan Gibson

As I mentioned above, a bizarre game where most of his work wasn't great, but his finish was superb. I'll take that any day of the week. Does he start next week and if so, where?

Conor Thomas

Took a smart tactical booking after a Billington mistake, but he got stuck in and made an impact.

Charlie McNeill

Only on for 12 minutes, so not a lot of time to do anything.

Overall Verdict

A much needed and richly deserved win against a team who most likely will be up there come the end of the season. This really could be the spark to see them kick on, especially with an out of form Swindon next and what I think are 2 fairly average teams in Rochdale and Exeter after that.