‘WE DIDN’T DESERVE THAT - BUT FOOTBALL KICKS YOU IN THE STOMACH’
CREWE Alexandra suffered a cruel defeat to Wycombe on Saturday but manager David Artell can take some real positives from his side’s overall performance.
The Alex boss felt his side deserved at least a point from a difficult game at Adams Park, and says that ‘football has a cruel habit of kicking you in the stomach when you don’t deserve it.’
Following the 2-1 defeat, Artell told the club’s official website: “That’s football and we didn’t deserve it, but it has happened and we have got to use it as a learning curve.
“A draw was probably a fair result, but football has a habit of kicking you in the stomach when you don’t deserve it.
“We were naive in those closing minutes. We went looking to counter them from their set-piece and it has cost us, so it will certainly be a learning curve, especially for one or two who were responsible for that.
“In some ways, I don’t want to take that youthful exuberance away from them.
“On one hand, it is a positive that they feel that they can go and score a late winner themselves at a Wycombe side that were in the Championship last season, but we have to learn from it, and I want them to learn.
“Footballers are incredibly perceptive. They know when you are lying to them. They know they have played well here and didn’t deserve to lose, especially in that manner.
“If we play like that every week then we will be fine. We will be hard to beat and we will win a few as well.
“The fans appreciated the way we played. They had every right to have a go at me and the players at Fleetwood, but they have applauded us off because they can see the effort the players put in.”
On the return of Tom Lowery, inset, the boss said: “It’s brilliant to have him back. He is a good player and I cannot speak highly enough of him.
“He has trained well and he can play football, so we want to use him because we know his qualities.
“The chairman has spoken to his agent and that is where we are. It’s fantastic, terrific and we know what he offers.
“He has some work to do with his fitness, but you could see the difference he made when he came on because he is a good footballer.”
Before the late heartbreak, Lowery had come off the substitutes’ bench to mark his first league minutes of the season with a goal at Adams Park.
Lowery, who was named in the 18-man squad despite his on-going contract saga, played a clever one-two with fellow sub Mikael Mandron to race into the Wycombe penalty area.
His first cross shot was saved by David Stockdale, but the midfielder kept his composure to slide home the rebound. Crewe had to stand up to crosses, free-kicks and corners to ride some storms against Gareth Ainsworth’s side, with Jaaskelainen to thank for saving well from Brandon Hanlan and Sam Vokes. Curtis Thompson also hit the foot of the post in a crazy melee.
Rio Adebisi was also denied a stunning volley in the first half, and David Stockdale saved superbly from Madger Gomes after he mishit a cross.
Artell had shuffled his pack again for the trip to Adams Park. Billy Sass-davies and Rio Adebisi came into the back five with Callum Mcfazdean operating down the left hand side.
The Spaniard Madger Gomes came into the starting line-up for his full league debut for the club, and Chris Porter was preferred to Mikael Mandron in the forward line alongside Christopher Long. In the opening minute, winger Jordan Obita was prepared to take on Adebisi and his low cross nearly found Brandon Hanlan inside a crowded penalty area.
Hanlan went over under pressure from Donveron Daniels, but had toppled over far too easily, didn’t appeal too much, and referee
Stephen Martin was perfectly placed to say no penalty.
It took Crewe the opening minutes to settle into the game. With the game opening up as it headed into the last few minutes of the first half, Gomes whistled a shot just wide of the far post and Mcfadzean read a dangerous situation intelligently to prevent Mccleary from having a clear shot at goal.
Adebisi became the first Crewe player to be booked for catching Obita. Mcfadzean was also booked as just before halftime.
Crewe had defended solidly all half, but Jacobson’s free-kick was cleared into the path of Curtis Thompson and his bouncing shot hit Ryan Tafazolli on its way past Jaaskelainen.
Crewe began the second half with a low shot on the turn from Mcfadzean, and at the other end the handful that was Hanlan fired inches over the crossbar.
From a Murphy free-kick there was a loud shout from the Alex fans when Porter’s downward header looked to have brushed the hand of Stewart on its way down, but again the referee was well positioned to wave away the appeals from the forward.
When Mcfadzean was then fouled by Mccarthy and nothing was given, Artell was cautioned for his protests.
With 23 minutes remaining, Artell made a double change with Lowery and Mandron on for Murphy and Porter.
Thompson also made way for Dominic Gape for the home side.
On 71 minutes, Offord was booked for a foul on Mccleary. The Wycombe playmaker was unable to continue after what looked like an arm or wrist injury and he had to be replaced by Sullay Kaikai.
With 13 minutes left, Lowery marked his return with his superb equaliser.
And as the game entered the final 10 minutes, Kashket replaced Long to face his former team, and Akinfenwa came on for Vokes.
From a corner, the towering Tafazolli rose highest to head onto the top of the netting. The crosses and corners continued to come with increased regularity, but the Alex put bodies on the line until Ryan Tafazolli stuck again adeep into injury time to leave Crewe players and fans absolutely crestfallen.