The Opposition View - Crewe Alexandra

Following yesterday's exit from the F.A. Cup, here are some views on the game from both benches and a handful of home fans.

Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis said: "First half we didn`t start well and it took time to get going. Going a goal behind, from an error by Alan Martin, we showed character to come back again."

"We kept nice and calm but I was glad to get them in at half-time and sort out one or two things. It was about getting amongst them at half-time and making them realise they are good players. In the second half we set a good tempo and controlled it for long periods."

"Pogs [Mathias Pogba] got himself a goal which is pleasing, and it was good generally to score four goals. [Mark] Ellis can score goals and I was pleased with him, he was very instinctive at the back post."

"Chuks [Aneke] gets criticism, and did again today, because of the way he lumbers about but he has terrific quality, two great feet. It was a terrific dipping shot and the keeper had no chance. When [Luke] Murphy got the ball I was thinking 'have a go` and their keeper again couldn`t quite get to it. They were great goals."

"I thought the penalty was okay. I won`t criticise him [Harry Davis] because that`s where he practises putting them. The keeper read it. He hit it hard enough. He`ll want to keep taking them."

"In the three years I`ve been here we have been knocked out in this round so it is something to be proud of, we are looking forward to the draw."


Blues caretaker boss Gareth Ainsworth didn`t mince his words afterwards. He told the BFP: "I`m not a ranter and a raver but I`ve made them feel bad in there.

"I demand passion and pride and energy. They know what they have got to give. They know they owe a performance. I`m sure the lads who played today will be up for Tuesday.The one thing the lads have shown ever since I took over is passion and drive, and that seemed to be missing second half.

"One thing that`s a given while I`m in charge is passion and drive and wanting to wear the shirt with pride. That was missing. There were a few key performers who were under par today and I`ve let them know.

"Every time the ball went forward it seemed to come straight back and we were overrun at times in certain areas. I`m going to have to look at this and think what we can do better, and maybe have to go a bit more back to basics."

"The kids who come in are going to try their best but they`re kids and it`s difficult when you`re carrying so many youngsters in the team. You need your experienced pros to come through and they weren`t there as they have been in recent games."


There weren`t too many Crewe Alexandra fans either at Gresty Road or discussing their handsome victory online afterwards.

The following comments are taken from Crewe FootyMad forum

Proggs wrote
"Well it seems that the majority were right about the attendance for the game against Wycombe - a measly 2,417 with 143 from Buckinghamshire. As for the atmosphere, with the lack of it today, I think the club really does need to listen to the supporters. Yes seven or so weeks until Christmas and with a home game next Saturday and a short trip to Shrewsbury the week after, you can see why the prices deterred people from going today."

Paul Nevitt 1981 wrote
"It was £16 for season ticket holders and members and if I remember rightly you would have had to pay £21.50 on the day if you didn't fall into these categories as an adult. I don't like to use these words but that is an act of lunacy on the part of the club. I wonder how many turned up that were not season ticket holders or members?

Still I enjoyed watching the kids the other night and feel completely satisfied right now, having listened to the game on Radio Stoke and seen the highlights for nothing. Congratulations Crewe Alexandra FC for getting past round one for a change."

Stealex wrote
"We are just coming out of an awful double dip recession, unemployment has never been higher, we're in the middle of a group of league home matches and Christmas is a month away. I'm sorry but if you can't see that all of this points to the need to lower ticket prices for a cup match holding very little interest to the neutral or two to three times a season fan, then you certainly shouldn't be in charge of marketing at a football club. Football is a luxury and one that is being increasingly cut from people's budgets so to charge what we did yesterday was a huge, narrow minded mistake."

Paul CAFC wrote
"It should have been £5, guaranteed atmosphere, loads of kids in, lively, exciting and a great score! Instead it was the predictable attendance with a ridiculous price to get in!"

Nev the Dev wrote
"I did notice a person giving free tickets to Wycombe fans. They must have won the lottery and was spreading the love!"

Alex Leicester wrote
"On the basis of one game against a soon-to-be Conference side, we totally changed our throw-in tactics. We were playing a poor, under-strength Wycombe side, so in retrospect it should have been 7 or 8 goals in our favour."

JJ1532 wrote
"Why are we awful at penalties? Ok, maybe I'm being harsh on Harry [Davis], but it was a poor penalty today, which takes us up to four consecutive penalties missed. Most teams use penalties as a cast-iron way of scoring. With us, we get penalties and I can't help but feel we should politely ask the ref to just give us an indirect free kick or corner instead!"

Alexmick wrote
"It was a dreadful penalty kick, easily saved by their keeper. I am not being critical of Davis in general but his penalty miss today came at a crucial point in the game, a time when it was important to kill off the visitors completely. Fortunately, the miss was not relevant and we finished the job."

Jack Jones ‏ wrote
"We did enough to beat a dire Wycombe side today, but will need to perform much better [against Doncaster Rovers] on Tuesday. Still, take the win and move on."

Next game - Aldershot Town v Wycombe Wanderers
League Two - Tuesday 6th November 2012 - Kick-off 7.45pm

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.