Grimsby Town v Crewe Alex

[PaulHaddock]

Was our best performance of the season for me. Good couple of debuts for Woolford, who was rusty but showed some nice skill, and Karleigh Osborne, who was a man mountain. He hasn't played much these past two seasons but he's decent in the air and quicker than Clarke and Collins. He needs to start from now on.

The rest of our defence was fairly solid, though Dixon is a little bit boring. Berrett, Mckeown and Vernon had alright games. Our best performers were Mitch Rose and JJ Hooper, who proved a lot of doubters wrong. We played it on the floor today and this really helped Hooper, who made good runs and reminded me a bit of Bogle. Rose dominated the Crewe midfield and deservedly got a goal but nearly blew it by giving Crewe the ball for one of their chances. Dembele is amazing with the ball but needs to work on his end product.

Thought Crewe played some nice football today with the forwards showing good movement but they didn't create a lot, if anything. Strangely enough, I thought they dominated us in the air at both ends but we picked up most of the loose balls. Crewe defence was slow though and didn't deal well with direct running. Probably should've scored with one of their two chances near the end but for good saves from Mckeown and then Osborne. Cooper had a quiet game. Couldn't tell about the penalty incident and I still can't after seeing the highlights. Didn't see Grant's injury but apparently he was concussed, though I'm glad to hear he's alright. When stewards and staff run on that quickly, it must be pretty serious.

Hopefully we kick on from here. No more hoofball, two upfront and playing with high intensity like we did today and we'll be ok. Bit more quality in the final third and I'll start looking up.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Also, we beat Crewe!

CREWE!!

 

[JJ1532]

Dreadful display for the most part today. Started well, had a couple of openings and dangerous moments. Looked a stone wall penalty on Cooper, our journalist was sure and he usually hedges his bets when there is a controversial moment. Maybe it wasn't a penalty, but no way was it a dive. Shocking from the ref.

Grant should be ok it seems, which is a relief because you go down like that assume the worst. That knocked us big time, didn't have the same energy after that. No excuse though, individually we were pish. Cooper went into his shell, Wintle couldn't pass water, we were constantly getting outmanned in wide areas. That resulted in the opener, worked short, don't stop the cross, don't win the header, easy goal.

2nd half we were better in the first 10-15 minutes, but created very little. Petered out after that, picked back up in the last 10 minutes and should have equalised. But we didn't deserve anything from the game, Grimsby were the better team, had more energy, more cohesion. Didn't play a particularly interesting style of football, but with Russell Slade at the helm, you know what you are going to get. But still, deserved win for them, fair play.

Big week for Artell to make improvements, because today was shocking. Midfield needs sorting, need to get a settled group. Lowery and Wintle have been ok, but if Walker is a midfielder, get him in there full time. He needs to start getting an understanding with his fellow mids and attackers. Cooper was dreadful, Dagnall was ok, but not in the game enough. I thought Ainley did ok, but his fitness seems to be an issue. Liked the look at Dale, want to see more of him.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Russell Slade is genuinely our kryptonite. Have we ever beaten one of his sides before?

Thought it was a poor game between two teams who showed promise at times and naivety at others and like we did against Barnet a few weeks ago, Grimsby took their chance and we failed to test McKeown (who was very shaky in both games last season) enough. Service to Porter all day was hopeful long balls and it was meat and drink for that Grimsby back line. Grimsby deserved the win today and that was comfortably the worst we've played this season.

Interestingly, our performances are getting progressively worse each passing week. But we've had a good start to the season so far and this is hopefully just a minor blip. Two home games vs Chesterfield and Cambridge now and we need a minimum of 4 points before we travel to Exeter if we want to keep this positive start going!

 

[PaulHaddock]

Thought the younger Crewe lads were quite good. Ng wasn't.

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

Couldn't believe the lad got booked for simulation when he got sandwiched by two of ours. Not sure it was a penalty but a dive? Incredibly harsh.

Also Dagnall was a good few yards onside when he went through in the second half. Maybe Crewe could've nicked a point but we've had no luck with officials this season with extremely soft yellows turning into reds, so glad it's balanced out sooner rather than later.

 

[northstandexile]

How did Mitch not get sent off for that forearm challenge on that young lad.

 

[GTFCfish]

How did Mitch not get sent off for that forearm challenge on that young lad.

Because it was accidental.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Watched it on iFollow and it was a properly shit game. Started ok but looked a different team after Grant's injury, the worst 30 minutes since Dull Davis scarpered. The second half was something of nothing. Porter and Dagnall were poor around the box and didn't link up great.

As for Cooper, it didn't look like a penalty from the ifollow coverage imo. Cooper pre-empted contact and didn't really get any.

 

[dannyc5]

Watched it on iFollow and it was a properly shit game. Started ok but looked a different team after Grant's injury, the worst 30 minutes since Dull Davis scarpered. The second half was something of nothing. Porter and Dagnall were poor around the box and didn't link up great.

As for Cooper, it didn't look like a penalty from the ifollow coverage imo. Cooper pre-empted contact and didn't really get any.

Have a watch of the replay for the Cooper challenge.

 

[les.gtfc]

Still not seen us win this season yet. Looks like I'll have to have a few more weekends away.

Brussels is a great city by the way and I've just about recovered from the 3 day beer festival now.