Shrews

[gazan]

Here is the real test. It seems the Alex can often raise their game against tough opponents but the problems arise when they play teams lower down. This often appears to be down to a lack of imagination in terms of how to get through opposition defences even when those sides are not operating a low block.
It seems to me that a Lunt-centered harrying of the opposition when they have the ball is the key. We need those snappy tackles and the crowding of players to win the ball early. We also need those players who can beat a man rather than simply trying to pass through a defence. Lankester and Rankine fit that bill as well as O'Reilly but the latter needs to be more direct moving forward as varying his step-inside approach. Agius can beat a man with the ball but has seemed anonymous lately except for his ability to step in front and win a free kick.
Whatever, the Alex must resist going for too many long balls to a single striker. By all means hoof the ball clear in defence when under pressure (rather than creating more pressure on the defence by playing backwards), especially in those crucial early minutes.
I know that Hutchinson has already played 30+ games in his season but he needs to play as his crossing ability is superior to Finney's (but the Alex needs to have someone on the back post for these) although, to be honest, neither are great at defending.
So, my pessimistic prediction is 1-1 although I have a nagging feeling it could be 0-1 again. Just don't do any stupid formation changes, Lee!

[LordK]

Mostly agree, however, I think, we should beat these. I think Shrews, need all the points they can get, so will come to play and it will be an open game. 2-1 Crewe.

[gazan]

Mostly agree, however, I think, we should beat these. I think Shrews, need all the points they can get, so will come to play and it will be an open game. 2-1 Crewe.

I agree. But SHOULD is the issue. For as long as I can remember the Alex have stumbled when they should win.

[gazan]

We need to be intensely front foot in the first 20 minutes and go for an early goal or two.

[gazan]

Bigger than usual crowd expected. Not usually a good omen

[Harlzed]

I agree, we stumble against the teams we should beat and the local element to it will give them extra motivation. However, I think the gap between the teams is big and I hope for 3-1 if we have an explosive start.

[gazan]

I agree, we stumble against the teams we should beat and the local element to it will give them extra motivation. However, I think the gap between the teams is big and I hope for 3-1 if we have an explosive start.

So 3-1 it was! A bit nail-biting for about 10 minutes towards the end. Story book moment for Bogle.

[ShropshireAlex]

It would have been a travesty if we hadn't won that - honestly it could easily have been 5-1 if Tezgel had had some luck finishing or Connolly's header hadn't bounced away from the post. Lot of bafflement when Bogle came on, though we said a genius change if he scored! Any idea what the trouble of the Shrews side of the ground was before the restart? Do some of their fans not realize you can't be offiside in your own half? Briefly 3rd, now 7th, but only a point off 3rd makes it a good afternoon's work.

[Timmy58]

It would have been a travesty if we hadn't won that - honestly it could easily have been 5-1 if Tezgel had had some luck finishing or Connolly's header hadn't bounced away from the post. Lot of bafflement when Bogle came on, though we said a genius change if he scored! Any idea what the trouble of the Shrews side of the ground was before the restart? Do some of their fans not realize you can't be offiside in your own half? Briefly 3rd, now 7th, but only a point off 3rd makes it a good afternoon's work.

The first 15 minutes were dreadful, we were dreadful! I was getting a stiff neck watching that. But gradually we began to get the ball down and start playing, and after we scored we looked much better. Not sure who was at fault for their goal but it didn't unsettle us. And in the second half I thought we were excellent and it could easily have been 6 with some better finishing. Delighted for Bogle who looks very good when he is up for it. Sadly, a lot of last season he didn't look up for it. Whatever the issues have been with him, I hope they are resolved because he could be the difference between us making the play off and not!

[jimmyboldon]

The first 15 minutes were dreadful, we were dreadful! I was getting a stiff neck watching that. But gradually we began to get the ball down and start playing, and after we scored we looked much better. Not sure who was at fault for their goal but it didn't unsettle us. And in the second half I thought we were excellent and it could easily have been 6 with some better finishing. Delighted for Bogle who looks very good when he is up for it. Sadly, a lot of last season he didn't look up for it. Whatever the issues have been with him, I hope they are resolved because he could be the difference between us making the play off and not!

Agree.
There was so many times in the first 15 minutes when we could have controlled the ball, looked up and played a pass. But no, we hoofed it.
Thought live, that there was a deflection for their goal, not sure seeing the highlights.
Looked better with Hutchinson on the pitch, but was that coincidence?
Was a total surprise to see the ball hit the net for the second goal.
Delighted for Bogle.

[Timmy58]

Agree.
There was so many times in the first 15 minutes when we could have controlled the ball, looked up and played a pass. But no, we hoofed it.
Thought live, that there was a deflection for their goal, not sure seeing the highlights.
Looked better with Hutchinson on the pitch, but was that coincidence?
Was a total surprise to see the ball hit the net for the second goal.
Delighted for Bogle.

I am going to say that if Bogle can keep his head right and be like he was today, which is a team player, then he could be the difference between us going up or not. For a man who has barely kicked a ball in the last 6 months or so he looked very sharp. I know it was only 10 minutes or so but it was very encouraging. A word about Owen Lunt, there have been some who wouldn't have him anywhere near the team but today, for me, he was outstanding, Player of the match without question.

[jimmyboldon]

I am going to say that if Bogle can keep his head right and be like he was today, which is a team player, then he could be the difference between us going up or not. For a man who has barely kicked a ball in the last 6 months or so he looked very sharp. I know it was only 10 minutes or so but it was very encouraging. A word about Owen Lunt, there have been some who wouldn't have him anywhere near the team but today, for me, he was outstanding, Player of the match without question.

Yes, Lunt has knocked Holicek down the pecking order, and arguably knocked Powell totally out of the equation.

[Timmy58]

Yes, Lunt has knocked Holicek down the pecking order, and arguably knocked Powell totally out of the equation.

Powell, sadly, has not been the same player since his injury. Holicek, I suspect , is being managed. We are fortunate that our Academy is producing players to step into the first team and be ready to compete. I say fortunate, but the fact of the matter is that the Academy is serving it's main purpose which is to provide players for the first team. Any subsequent sale is a bonus. There are some who feel Lunt is not and never will be good enough and Holicek much the same. These are good players learning the game and being well coached. They are not always going to get it right but when they do is is really enjoyable to see.

[Harlzed]

Good performance once we settled down and stopped the hoofing. I agree with other posters that Lunt was a big influence on the game, great performance. Really pleased for Bogle and felt his goal was written in the stars when he was being brought on. Tezgel had one of those afternoons in front of goal but he is going to score a lot of goals for us this season. I know it?s a long season but Moult is going to struggle to get any minutes at all and Rankine doesn?t really seem to be in the plans. That is a plus though, players currently in the team are difficult to dislodge. I think Agius shows good strength on the ball and will improve. I understand the reasons why Hutch was not starting but Finney is miles off this level in my view. It looked a soft goal to concede but it does not detract from what was a great performance - while Shrews are down there they do have some players that are capable and we made them look quite poor. A good afternoon!

[Riley1987]

I thought it was a very good performance. Can?t underestimate the importance of Lunt and Sanders in that midfield. Chuffed for Omar as well. Let?s keep this momentum going.