Where do I start?
Firstly, Stuart is absolutely correct when he says we weren't good enough. We got into some decent positions on occasions but our decision making let us down in the final 3rd. At one point in the first half, we played out of Crewe's press really well but we didn't create anything from it once we got into the final third. Another chance we got was when Tsaroulla took on 2 or 3 players with his shot deflected with Crewe's defender heading it out for a corner.
Our game plan was working a bit. It was looking like a nailed on 0-0. We weren't creating much and Crewe were working hard and pressing, but they kept over hitting their crosses, whenever they got into a decent position. Then they broke from a corner. I originally thought Austin had a headstart on Shilow Tracey but it's equal and Tracey's pace gets him there before Austin or Abbott. I don't know why no one takes a booking on half way or before he even gets to the ball. If we lost 1-0 to this goal and we played how we did, then I could say it was a poor performance in a game that was lacking intensity and quality. The truth is the game was lacking in quality and intensity throughout. The Donny game felt like a genuine top League 2 clash. This was a genuine summary of the lack of quality in the division this year. Notts were 3rd and Crewe 5th before kick-off and it wouldn't have been surprising if no one had looked at the table before the game and wondered if these two were 11th and 12th. The quality compared to the top 3 last year is massive.
Gordon and Didzy replaced Ness and Scott at half time. May I add, Lucas Ness was having a good game and had kept Omar Bogle quiet in the first half, winning the majority of his aerial duels. We started the 2nd half well with Jev playing a good through ball to Austin who cut in and shot, rather than taking a touch and hitting it at Filip Marschall's near post instead, which I think was the better option. Then the penalty, oh my lord, the penalty. The whole away end and supporters of other football clubs on Twitter are still flabbergasted as to how this was given. Omar Bogle slips on the ball. He slips and continues to try and play on, protecting the ball with Ryan Cooney (the penalty taker) the only one who appeals. Then again, Cooney was acting proper weird all game. Goading the Notts fans in the 2nd half even before the penalty and then unprovoked, celebrating in front of Alex Bass after he scored. He then put a video on Twitter as to why. Alex Bass has like an interaction with him that lasts 2 seconds and then he walks off. I don't know what he might have said in less than 5 seconds to make Cooney act like he did but some players are like that I guess. A Gills fan on Twitter also said he's got a bit of an ego.
The game was dead after that. We were still in the game at 1-0 even though we weren't playing that great but that daft decision killed the game. You may as well have blew the whistle after the 62nd minute because the game was over. Macari had a chance late on where he didn't connect properly with the ball and Marschall made a save from a header (can't remember who headed it).
We really need to hang on in there till January so we can get some reinforcements in. It's like waiting for the weather to be decent before launching the Normandy landings. These injuries are destroying us. It's not that the squad depth is poor again. It isn't. It's just our depth is all injured. Grant, Edwards and Robertson. Didzy and Scott have both just come back and Jones and Crowley are crucial starters.