Crewe Alex v Barnet

[JJ1532]

Well, 3rd home league game in a row. First 2 games have produced mixed performances and a point in each. Could really do with grabbing a win in this one. Biggest concern is, we're badly lacking depth and for some reason, our manager doesn't seem particularly concerned by this. Nor does he seem to be taking any steps to rectify it. Yes, he still has just over 2 weeks, but it feels like we're wasting our early games by not getting a fully strengthened squad together now.

With Perry Ng suspended, Eddie Nolan will probably drop to right back, Walker will drop into defence and we'll go with a 4 man unit of Nolan, Walker, Raynes and Woodcock. That is an incredibly makeshift defence. With Walker out of midfield, we'll likely have to go with Lowery and Wintle and hope the former has a better game this time around. Reckon it'll be Ainley and Cooper on the wings, Dagnall and Porter upfront.

Would like to see Dale get a go from the bench, scored 4 in pre-season(against part-timers granted, but still) and I wonder if Kirk will get his first run out. Bowery looks good to go and Bakayogo should be back on the bench as well.

As for Barnet, they've had a good start, even without Akinde. Good wins against Posh and Luton, creditable draw at FGR. However, we always beat them at Gresty Road and usually by a fair old scoreline. Doubt it'll be that one sided this time around. Would happily take a scrappy 1-0/2-1, given the start they've had and the confidence they'll bring into this one.

Going 2-1 win, Dagnall and Cooper.

 

[BeesKnees]

Have a few important players missing ( Akinde, Taylor, Brindley, Johnson) but everyone knows their jobs so it doesn't seem to have made much difference so far.

------------Stephens
----Santos Nelson Clough
Vilhete Weston Tutonda
---------Taylor-----JCR
--------Coulthirst---JAA-----

No idea what the score will be. Continuing the unbeaten start would be fantastic.

 

[BeeArmy]

Going to this. Really hoping we can carry on our good form.

I would start:
Stephens
Santos Nelson Clough
Vilhete Taylor Fonguck Tutonda
JCR
Coulthirst Akpro

Heart says: 0-2
Head says: 8-1 We always get hammered at Crewe.

 

[Urban]

Woodcock in defence? Is he a real hard nut?

 

[Crewelad87]

We tend to fair well vs Barnet, also fair well when I don't go and im away.

Crewe 3-1 Barnet (Porter 2, Cooper, Coulthirst) 3,622 (188 Bees)

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Woodcock? Kids barely played for the U23s. He means Pickering surely who was impressive vs Newport on Saturday and I'd be happy with him starting.

Rather than fannying about with this crocked midfielder Lee Lucas (10 pro games played in his career and he's 25 years old ffs!) we need a recognised RB and not the annual CM to inhabit the treatment room that Steve Davis used to sign. We've got 2 weeks to add two players minimum to our squad and yet bar this Will Jaaskelainen signing to be a backup keeper, nothing seems to be materialising on the signings front. A natural RB will add much needed balance to this anaemic defence and leave us far less exposed to counter attacks which has been our downfall so far this season along with set pieces.

That said, I fancy us to win 2-0 with Porter and Cooper bagging. The quality when we attack is evident and we'll start taking our chances sooner rather than later.

 

[Son of Cod]

Destined to be another pathetic Crewe match thread, even with the addition of the delightful Barnet lot.

2-1 to Crewe, one a piece for the formidable Chris Brothers.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Destined to be another pathetic Crewe match thread, even with the addition of the delightful Barnet lot.

2-1 to Crewe, one a piece for the formidable Chris Brothers.

Just wait till next week's match thread with the Clayheads...

 

[BeesKnees]

Our first ever league game was against Crewe, 26 years ago.

Absolutely brilliant season, if we come close to doing as well as that team did I will be over the moon

 

[George Reilly's Hairpiece]

What a team and time that was. Bull, Carter, Willis, Showler, Lowe, Evans, Murphy. Where Florentino Perez got the idea for the Galacticos from.

 

[dannyc5]

JJ what's your issue with Lowery? Stand out player for me, along with Porter and obviously Cooper.

 

[JJ1532]

JJ what's your issue with Lowery? Stand out player for me, along with Porter and obviously Cooper.

Thought he was pretty poor against Newport. Constantly lost the ball in bad areas by over playing and wanting too many touches. Was excellent in the first 2 games, but didn't think he was great in the 3rd. No issues at all, like what I've seen from him so far.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

A truly forgettable game but the better team (and I say that lightly) won.

Barnet were here for a draw, yes they counter attacked but they set up to frustrate us. They did a grand job in making us look clueless in the final third.

I want to see the goal again, I believe it all started from a dodgy Michael Raynes clearance, a few Barnet players make a few daft errors allowing Bakayogo in to play a teasing cross and set up Porter for a scrappy winner. All outfielders bar Raynes go to celebrate whilst he receives a bollocking from Dave and Kenny for the initial clearance!

Definitely our worst performance of the season but Barnet were a very limited side with very little quality. Maybe they were just missing Akinde who I guarantee would've caused us problems. Once again, I wish we'd sign a RB. Bolton, Newport and Barnet whenever they attacked always went down our right hand side because they know that there isn't a natural RB there. It's the same problem we had for years when we had Turton in the side. A proper RB rather than a square peg in a round hole like Nolan, Walker or Ng would provide the balance that could make us far more defensively capable and a threat up top too.

Anyway, bring on the Vale. I don't expect us to sign anyone before then (even though we bloody need to!) but I wonder if that's the last we'll see of George Cooper...

 

[JJ1532]

Well, if the scouts came to see Cooper, they'll have left disappointed, as he was dreadful, as was Dagnall. Might be able to keep him at this rate.

As you say, pretty poor display but ground out a 1-0 we just about deserved based on the chances created. Barnet played some lovely football in the middle of the pitch but created bugger all. Raynes was excellent, Walker and Nolan solid. Pickering was ok, didn't have as good a game once he was switched to RWB. Zooms and Ainley made a big difference, good subs from Artell.

5 points from 3 is a good start, especially with 2 teams who've not had the best of starts away from home next up.

 

[hellogregory]

Are you sick of the sound of Raynes' voice yet?

 

[BeesKnees]

Not a good game. Nothing more to add.

 

[Dave'Davvo'Davidson]

Not a good game. Nothing more to add.

But a most satisfactory result.
Up The Alex!

 

[Crewelad87]

Sounds like our worst performance this season yet our 1st win. If Porter carries this form on he could be on for 20 goals this season.

 

[Crewelad87]

Our home crowds seem a bit low, especially considering all the talk of season ticket sales being up, only just over 3000 for a Saturday afternoon , seems like a good 400-500 down on what I'd have expected.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Our home crowds seem a bit low, especially considering all the talk of season ticket sales being up, only just over 3000 for a Saturday afternoon , seems like a good 400-500 down on what I'd have expected.

The only way you get the disillusioned fans back is through winning football matches. Artell improving the style of play is only half the job...

 

[BeeArmy]

Awful. Worst performance by far.

 

[Dave'Davvo'Davidson]

Our home crowds seem a bit low, especially considering all the talk of season ticket sales being up, only just over 3000 for a Saturday afternoon , seems like a good 400-500 down on what I'd have expected.

Season ticket sales were only marginally up,I'm led to believe plus Newport and Barnet aren't exactly a big draw plus a few are probably still on holiday,so this all contributes.
Like TrinidadsNumberOne says-the only thing that will see a significant increase in gates is a major improvement in League position...I.e. we're in the top 6 or 7.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Watched it in Spain over iFollow. Pretty piss poor game. Cooper I've seen three times this season, not sure why there's so much talk of him leaving as he's been, on average, average. Almost to the point I'd cash in if it gives DA freedom to bring in a RB + 1. Also thought Bowery was pretty terrible, and Porter almost non-existent for most of the game. Bakayogo and Ainley coming on changed it up and probably won it us.