P.N.E. Report

First game since Nicky Maynard left the club and the thoughts on everyone’s minds was would we score goals this season without him?  Well unfortunately today drew a blank but it wasn’t without want of trying.   Preston were today’s visitors, who included one old boy, Billy Jones Mk 1.  Much has been recorded about his alleged acrimonious split with Dario, and as expected “Billy No Mates” did not get a standing ovation on his first return to the club.  However my personal opinion was that this was unwarranted, but each to their own.

Today’s starting line up was similar to last week’s with the only change being Shaun Miller replacing Nicky Maynard.  Anthony Elding was on the bench but no sign of Eddie Johnson, and as such we must assume he hasn’t been retained.

The starting line up today is likely to be the one due to face Brighton.  Neil Baker commented after that Shaun Miller has earnt his chance and will be given a few games to see how he goes on.  However a few concerns on some of today’s performers.  Billy Jones Mk 2 was initially given the runaround more times than Mike Reid (hopefully our older readers will see the connection).  A bright start by Preston put Crewe’s defence on the back foot almost immediately.  Both Jones and Macready were under pressure and when one of our loanees from last season, Joe Aniyansah, turned Billy, crossing the ball to find an unmarked Neil Mellor to tap in a simple opener, but from nowhere our new keeper pounced on the ball to keep it scoreless.  However after that PNE never really looked like scoring, with lots of good build up play and passing, but no end product. 

James Bailey was the pick of the midfield.  Tireless work, and crisp passing has put him at the head of a group of midfielders vying for one place.  Rix, Schumacher, & Carrington will all have to work hard to claim a place. Gary Roberts is now completely out of contention as he has proved to be as elusive as Lord Lucan.  Love him or loathe him, Gary Roberts gave 100% commitment on the pitch, but when brains were given out he must have thought they said drains, and didn’t want one.

Much has been said of the two wide men.  Joel Grant just could not get involved in the game and it was only in the last 15 minutes of the first half that he posed a threat.  One good cross set up a Baudet header to score a goal, only for it to be disallowed for offside.  In fact Baudet netted again later on and once again it was disallowed.  Eugen Bopp had an off day, looking slow and ponderous.  Bopp’s delivery was just like a temporary postal worker – erratic and  regularly failing to find the right recipient.

Up front, Shaun Miller fresh from signing a contract extension was running around like a headless chicken, with him being well marked by Billy no mates.  Calvin Zola was leading the line well and showed he is not just a tall target man to win the headers.  His control and passing has improved in the few games he has played..  Preston’s keeper was certainly the busier one, as Zola had a couple of shots well saved.

In the second half the game continued as before.  Miller was getting more involved and with jus the keeper to beat lobbed just over the bar.  Anthony Elding came on for the last 20 minutes but he certainly did not appear to be match fit.  He will probably get a full game against Nantwich and initially be used as a sub in the league coming on for 20 or so minutes.  However, Elding has been looking sharp in training with the management team confident of him prospering.  Crewe also brought on Schumacher, Clements and Byron Moore.  Fortunately for Byron it was only 15 or so minutes as he had a shocker.  Missed tackles, constantly finding yellow shirts with his passes.  Our bright young thing from the start of last season, certainly did himself no favours.

With 15 minutes left, and as the game seemed to be ending goalless, indecision in the defence gave Neil Mellor a clear run on goal only to be brought down as he was about to shoot  Former Alex target, Mellor, picked himself up to slot home the penalty, and was then promptly substituted

The Alex picked themselves up and launched a few more attacks, one which gave Elding the chance to open his account only to be denied by Lonnergan.  In the last few minutes, Preston made it 2-0 as a corner found the unmarked diminutive full back Hill to easily head home.  Oh well the unbeaten run was over.

What work now needs to be done by the management team? – Number 1 keeper is sorted, with 75% of defence in place – Woodards (though if he goes replace him with Abbey) , Jones (the only reason being we don’t have another left back) and Baudet.  However nobody else has pushed themselves forward to partner the Beast.  A commanding centre half should be and probably is, at the top of Steve’s shopping list. Chris Macready is a good utility defender but not first choice, and Daniel O’Donnell has been off key more times than his namesake.

In midfield, it appears we will have 2 wide men – Grant and Bopp seem the most likely of pairing, with Michael O’Connor and James Bailey in the middle.  Forwards come and go at Gresty Road e.g. Naylor, Ward, Adebola, Hulse, Ashton & Varney, and although we had a major blip when Deano left, somebody has always stepped up to the plate to become a regular goalscorer.  Hopefully the conveyor belt will continue with first chance probably being given to Shaun Miller and Calvin Zola, with Anthony Elding as initial back up as he doesn’t appear to be match fit.  Clayton Donaldson’s name has been put around with Neil Baker putting him as a Nicky Maynard type of forward. Incidentally, it was nice to see Nicky at the game yesterday and he was more than pleased to chat with supporters.

                     Billy finally found an Alex fan that wouldn't boo him!