Crewe Alexandra continued their impressive run of form with a 2-0 win at home to Notts County and they are The Deck’s League Two Team of the Week for a second time this season.
The team are unbeaten since beating Gillingham by the same scoreline. The Railwaymen have been led by exceptional displays from Mickey Demetriou with the 34-year-old performing better with every passing matchday. He was recently named as one of the top performers in League Two by The Deck.
Crewe Alexandra Captain Playing a Starring Role
Demetriou has put in a series of top displays and has barely put a foot wrong as his side have gone on a seven-match unbeaten run. It is now just one defeat from 12 in league action and the club captain has excelled in each one of these matches.
The defender contributed an incredible eight goals and six assists in 2023/24 as Crewe Alexandra reached the play-off final and has continued that form in the current campaign.
It has been a theme in his career to contribute goals throughout his career in League Two and he averages roughly one every ten games.
His importance was evident in the win over Notts County. Demetriou completed seven clearances, three interceptions and 100% of his tackles as Crewe Alexandra picked up an important win against a potential promotion rival.
More often than not, the former Newport County star has been the best player on the pitch as his side have recovered from a slow start to sit second in League Two. He leads the league’s charts for shots blocked and sits in second for clearances per game.
He is comfortably the most accomplished passer among the Crewe Alexandra back three and ranks in the top ten of all outfield players in League Two for the most accurate long passes per game.
He has built his career in League Two and has remarkably played just once in the third tier throughout his career – as a left-back in a 3-1 defeat to Millwall for Shrewsbury Town in 2016.
If the team are to go one better than last season’s exploits, where they were beaten by Crawley Town at Wembley in the play-off final, then their captain will be a key component.
Upcoming Fixtures and Future Prospects
Crewe Alexandra have conceded just seven goals from their last 13 matches in the fourth tier after losing their opening two fixtures. It has been an incredible turnaround from Lee Bell’s side, who have the third-best expected goals-against record in League Two, behind AFC Wimbledon and Walsall.
They lead a pack of sides just behind league leaders Port Vale in what is turning out to be one of the most competitive fourth tiers in recent times. If they can keep their key defensive players on the teamsheet they should be a contender for promotion although there should be concerns around their lack of firepower.
Despite sitting second, 11 sides have scored more goals than Crewe Alexandra. Their defensive resilience will only take them so far and they face a top-of-the-table clash with Port Vale on Monday night in a must-watch encounter.
A visit to struggling but improving Carlisle United will follow before a home fixture against Bradford City. They were disappointing in a first-round FA Cup defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge, but that has been the one blemish on an impressive run of form.
Apart from Port Vale, it is impossible to predict what sides will be in the mix for promotion at the end of the campaign. However, Crewe Alexandra were one match from playing in League One in 2023/24 and Lee Bell has done a remarkable job of transforming their fortunes since they lost their third-tier status in 2022.