Crewe boss blames 'naivety' for heavy cup defeat
By Ryan Parker
31st Aug 2022 | Local News
Crewe Alexandra's manager blamed his side's 'naivety' for another heavy cup defeat - conceding three goals late into the second-half.
The Railwaymen were defeated 4-1 away to Bolton Wanderers last night (August 30) - in their first group stage match of the Papa John's Trophy.
The Northern Group B encounter saw Crewe travel to the University of Bolton Stadium for a 7pm kick-off.
After being level at 1-1 for the majority of the match, Crewe conceded three goals in twelve second half minutes - ending their chances of a penalty shoot-out.
Late goals from Dion Charles (x2) and Kieran Sadler put the game out of the Alex's reach.
A Lack Of Discipline:
Crewe Alexandra manager, Alex Morris, was impressed with his side's resilience for the majority of the game.
He wasn't so impressed when Bolton finally took the lead in the 78th minute - believing there was a lack of discipline from the group.
Morris told Crewe Alexandra's website: "We rode our luck and did ever so well to be at 1-1 going into the final 10 minutes or so.
"But once the goal went in to make it 2-1 we lost our shape and our discipline, and went chasing the game, and as we know it went to 3-1 and 4-1."
The Match:
Crewe made eight changes from the side that drew 0-0 away to Bradford City. Most notably, Dave Richards started in goal for the first time this season.
Bassala Sambou came back into the side following his three-match suspension for violent conduct.
Crewe went 1-0 down after just five minutes when poor defending allowed Trotters forward Amadou Bakayoko to curl home from 12 yards.
The Railwaymen responded in the 16th-minute when Courtney Baker-Richardson got in front of Bolton keeper Joel Dixon - following an Oliver Finney cross.
The 26-year-old forward managed to scramble the ball home from close range - scoring his fifth goal in seven Alex appearances.
Bolton controlled the game. By the hour mark, they had made five substitutions - piling on the pressure on the Crewe backline.
This pressure eventually paid off and Crewe did not have the answers, crumbling late on.
The Manager's Overall Reaction:
Morris said: "Sometimes in those scenarios you have to take your medicine, stay composed and see if you can nick a goal at the end to take it to penalties.
"But that comes with experience, and a lot of those players are young.
"There was a lot of naivety to how we responded to going 2-1 down.
"They have to use it as a learning curve when they get their opportunities again."
By full-time, Bolton had managed 26 shots on goal with 14 on target.
Crewe were only able to make four attempts on goal for the entire match - testing Dixon just twice.
Morris believed there were still some positives to take from the heavy defeat - impressed 18-year-old's Charlie Finney and Joel Tabiner completed a full 90 minutes for the club.
Morris added: "They have taken their performance levels on a bit after playing 45 minutes at Grimsby (in the Carabao Cup) earlier in the season.
"We got through the game injury free as well, which is probably the main positive of the night."
NEXT UP: Crewe Alexandra host fifth-placed Stevenage United on Saturday (September 3).
READ MORE: Firefighters tackle Crewe house blaze in middle of the night.
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