In front of 7,500, of which about 500-600 were Alex fans, Wigan had the brighter start and had a couple of shots off target before McCulloch nodded in unchallenged from a back post free kick. We have never been great at imposing ourselves on teams from the start of matches, and against Wigan the first goal was crucial. It was a deserved lead, but a disappointing one from a Crewe perspective as Roberts and Foster left the ball for each other, leaving a soft chance for the Scot. Soon afterwards the in-form Billy Jones went off, possibly injuring himself in the foul that led to the goal, and was replaced by Richard Walker. The new look defence, now missing Tonkin and Jones from the one that had looked impressive in the last two games struggled to settle, as Wigan carved out chance after chance. There was a loud penalty appeal when Williams dived at the feet of Roberts, but from where we were sitting it was easy to see the big deflection he got on the ball as the striker went down. The midfield struggled to get possession, and Roberts especially, at left back, didnt pick up the pace of the game as Davids Wright and Graham found space down the right. Crewe's best moves came through David Vaughan runs and he had our best effort of the first half with a strike that went high and wide of the left hand post after about 40 minutes. It was already 2-0 by this point though when Walker was left exposed against Ellington and a quality through ball (Bullard?) made it easy for the striker to continue his impressive start to the season.
At half time we were certainly not out of the game, despite having been second best, but it seemed like an early third goal in the second half could open the floodgates, whereas one back might worry Wigan. That early third goal duly came about five minutes after the restart when Ellington was first to respond to a block on the line from Otsemobor that saw the ball fly in the air to the edge of the area. Williams got both hands to his well struck volley but could only help it in to the roof of the net.
At this point two things happened; Wigan took their foot off the gas and we started to play. Walker and Foster never put another foot wrong all night at the back, Justin Cochrane dominated the midfield, and probably had about 20% possession by himself. Roberts and Otsemobor started to get forward, Lunt started pulling strings, and up front Jonah and Andy White, who again showed some promise whilst having lots to learn, finally looked like they trained together. From the third goal there was only one team in it, and with a little bit more urgency, artistry or brute force, could have made a serious game of it.
The goal that made it 3-1 came after fifteen minutes of possession without much to show for it, but after Vaughan cut in from the left and stabbed the ball to Kenny Lunt just inside the area, he knocked the ball over his head to Andy White, who showed great vision to nod the ball down into the path of the unmarked Steve Jones. He fired low into the bottom left hand corner. We then wasted some possession in good areas, with Roberts the main culprit, repeatedly overhitting crosses and free kicks. A fine move then saw Kenny Lunt cleverly pick out the run of Mark Rivers, who held off Thome before firing just wide. Jonah was then lately but correctly judged offside when clean through. Goal of the game came late on, and saw many Crewe fans leave as the score was now 4-1. Man of the match Bullard picked up the ball well inside his own half and ran fully 50 yards with Sorvel and Cochrane trailing him. Invited to take a shot by the backpedalling defence, he did from about 30 yards, and if the top corner hadnt stopped it, it would still be rising now.
I came away feeling that 4-1 was a bit harsh, as we did well in the second half. However, at times we were too slow, and we didnt have quite enough to trouble a well led Wigan team with plenty of confidence and spirit. I sometimes feel we don't realise quite how good we can be, and we could do with a real motivator - not saying we didnt try, but just that maybe we didnt believe enough. Wigan were missing Teale, Jarrett and Frandsen, so we cant blame our injuries for this defeat, although our squad doesnt have the same strength in depth, so Ashton, Tonkin and Billy Jones were missed. However even with a full team I have to admit we would get beaten there 8 times out of 10 when they play like that.
Williams - wasnt too busy, funnily enough, and even if he isnt quite reaching the same heights as last year, couldnt have prevented the goals, and made an excellent save at the feet of Roberts 6
Otsemobor - looked nearer match fitness, but we havent seen the best of him. Coped well against Baines when he went forward. 6
Foster - should have attacked the ball for the first, and left Walker isolated on a couple of occasions but excelled in the second half. 7
Jones B - looked assured until he gave away the free kick that led to the first. Couldnt tell what the injury was that led to the substitution 5
Roberts - Didnt give the centre halves enough cover, got caught in possession and wasted set pieces. Had to keep cutting inside to use his right foot. We missed Tonkin, but he did show some promise and will end up a right or centre back 5
Sorvel - off the pace first half, as we couldnt get forward to support the front two, and nowhere near their runners but much improved second half 6
Lunt - everything good came through him but it wasnt enough. Didnt stamp his authority on the game as he did in the last two. Great pass for Rivo's chance 6
Vaughan - only player to stand out in the first half. Luckily he won't have to play against many teams better than Wigan this year. 7
Cochrane - back to his best in the 2nd half. If he can carry that form to the Majedski on Sunday it could be a coupon buster. If JC got injured it would leave a bigger hole than Brammer's departure ever did. Crewe MOM 7
Jones S - disappointing game from Jonah by his own very high standards, looked tired or like he was carrying an injury. Took his goal very well and got kicked a few times. Needs a rest. 6
White - he's a funny fella, he can't really head it despite being 6'4" and having a great leap, he can do Cryuff turns and back heels but then just falls over. Worked hard and looks like he could be a player 6
Walker (for B Jones) looked dreadful for their second but then gave a solid display. Seen milk turn quicker but coped well in the air. 6
Rivers (for White) didnt really have time to make an impression but was unlucky with a chance he had to work hard to make with two defenders breathing down his neck. Goal would have done the world of good. 5