Up the Alex!

It's been a while since I blogged about the Alex. Added to that the busy nature of my summer holiday and the new school term (and job) means I've not spoken about the start of the season. So let's put that right.

Last season, obviously, was a total bust. 24th out of 24. Knocked out of the cup by a non-league team. A pitiful amount of points and a protest against the manager. Not one to look back fondly on.

However there were some signs, even in that car-crash of a season, that indicated there was hope for this year. The loan signing of Ryan Lowe saw the Alex have their best run of form all season, so when he signed permanently in the summer, hopes were raised. Zoumana Bakayogo was, when he regained match fitness, an impressive addition to the left back spot. His contract renewal in the summer was also looked upon as something of a coup. The club held on to highly-rated goalkeeper, Ben Garratt before manager Steve Davis pulled off a couple of great deals. Chris Dagnall, lower-league goal-getter-extraordinaire, signed on a free for two years. He was soon joined by young Chelsea winger, Alex Kiwomya, who made such an impression in his first month he scored 3 goals (one of which was nominated for goal of the month) and was nominated for Player of the Month too.

All of this has added up to make the fans, many of whom feared the club dropping straight through, amend their initial expectations. An away win on the first day of the season (which hadn't been achieved since 1994!) was followed by another away win against Sheffield United. Two draws against Hartlepool (a six-goal thriller, decent for a team that scored as little as Crewe last year) and Portsmouth followed before taking Blackburn to extra time. A late winner in the home win against Doncaster was the icing on the cake. Things look promising. 9 points on the board - which didn't happen until late November last year - and a goal threat that hasn't been seen at Gresty Road for a few years means that. hopefully, Crewe can have a good season, far better than what all fans expected.

Of course, they play Exeter tomorrow and after all that I've written... I've probably put the kiss of death on them!