Crewe 1 Preston 1

[MikeSB]

May I start the thread again as being just 5 mins from the ground?

OK, thanks, here's my take on the game! Very cold today as expected and pitch had a slight frost on top which made the pitch bumpy to play decent football on.

Not really much to report on as both sides cancelled each other out most of the game but they had the majority of possession without creating much. Not sure we had a shot on goal until we scored late on. Our passing was pretty dire and gave the ball away a lot as our defence just lobbed the ball up field which meant Haber and Ajose had little service who made no impact. A poor game in many respects but maybe expected more from high flying Preston and so keeping level with them was good considering our league position.

Game changed for me when SD brought on Uche and Cooper with 30 mins to go and to my mind both should have been on from the start as Uche needed three men to mark him and some nice touches from Cooper and we started to create some space and

[out0lunch]

A good summing up Mike.

I would have taken a draw before the game and say 4 points before we started the last 3 games so very pleased with the return.

The only thing I would add is I thought Stewart had a good game so let’s turn the loan into a buy

[Drapercrewe]

A good assessment - think a point was about right (although am sure PNE fans would say differently) - first half not too much going on and was clearly understandable from the way PNE set out to play that they had won 1-0 in their last 3 games it was always going to be tough to break them down.

2nd half much livelier and Preston had a few great opportunities to wrap the game up but for wasteful chances and heroics from Ben again (he was outstanding today! Again!)

Defenders look ok - Stewart was ok on his first start - though Leigh and Baillie were good - guthrie inconsistent and like a few others thought some of the passing was amiss today.

Were much improved with the 2 subs on and started to look more dangerous immediately and was a well taken finish and thought we could hang on to get all 3 points.

Thought strange how Haber started and really struggled - although distribution to him wasn't there too much and Uche was more of a handful for their defence

Overall pleasing and am

[Ryancrewefan4ever]

A few comments of us being better when the subs were made, that's when turton came off, for me today he was dire, passing was shocking and that burst through, 3 on 3 he just kicked it out, time on the sidelines i think.

Good performance from the team i thought, garrat was outstanding like usual, Stewart was solid, very good headers and quick to track back. When beckford burst forward he managed to disposes him. Davis-Tate-Stewart would be a good back 3. With toots and ballie as wing backs. Good subs at good times today too, well done bakes and davis

[itwasin]

IF I say IF both teams continue to play like that in 2015 I can not see them meeting again in the New season 2015,having said that Crewe could be playing Prestons neighbour BLACKPOOL I do like to be by the seaside.

[AlexLeicester]

Good, hard working performance against a team of highly paid pros. Top marks to Baillie and Garratt, but my MotM goes to ... the crowd. :-D
What a fantastic roar when Cooper slotted the goal - 'just like that'!

[crewebacca]

Super goal Cooperman. Shame that we couldn't hang on for all three points but hey, one foot out of the bottom four at least. Onwards and upwards.

[alexmick]

We knew it would be a tough encounter and indeed it was. Crewe began very brightly and for the first 15 minutes you would not have known that Preston were top 3 and the Alex were bottom four. However, we could not keep that up and allowed Preston to dictate for the majority of this game. That is to take nothing away from a battling Alex side, where every man gave his all. Luckily, Preston's sharp shooters were not at the races today (mind you, they mainly win by the odd goal anyway). Plus we had the best keeper in L1 between our posts. Once again, young Garratt kept us in the game with a brave display.

Until the substitutions, the home side barely ventured into Preston's territory and I really could not see us scoring. Haber looked like a little boy lost this afternoon, for all his efforts to out muscle and well organised Lilywhite's defence. I can only think that Uche was left out of the starting 11 because of fatigue following the game at Oldham. Both he and Cooper made all

[jimmyboldon]

Uche was carrying an injury. Word was they did not want to bring him on unless absolutely needed. Thought Stewart was excellent. Turton going off left us very short in the midfield, as Cooper played further forward and did not do Turton's unnoticed graft.

[alexmick]

Uche was carrying an injury. Word was they did not want to bring him on unless absolutely needed. Thought Stewart was excellent. Turton going off left us very short in the midfield, as Cooper played further forward and did not do Turton's unnoticed graft.

I did notice that Turton put in a shift and worked hard towards the cause. His passing did let him down however. That was my observation. Stewart made several elementary mistakes in that first half, although he is new to this level and must be allowed to settle and gel with his new team mates. As I said earlier, that interception was excellent and crucial to our point achieved this afternoon. I want to see more of this player.