Crewe Alexandra Boss Slams 'Awful' Goals in Cambridge Defeat
Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell has issued a stern warning to his players, demanding they take responsibility for their defensive lapses after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Cambridge United in League Two. The Railwaymen surrendered a late lead, conceding two goals Bell described as "absolutely awful".
Emre Tezgel had given Crewe the advantage early in the second half, but Cambridge fought back, equalising through Mamadou Jobe before Ben Knight secured the victory with a penalty deep into stoppage time. Bell lamented the team's inability to defend crosses and dominate their own box.
"The two goals we conceded were absolutely awful, and it's going to be an Achilles heel if we can't stop crosses coming into the box and if we can't dominate the box," Bell told BBC Radio Stoke. He expressed extreme disappointment with the performance, particularly the manner in which the goals were conceded.
The defeat follows consecutive draws against Oldham and Chesterfield, pushing Crewe down to 11th place, although they remain just two points outside the play-off spots. Bell emphasized the need for his players to take ownership of their defensive shortcomings. "It comes down to some shouldering responsibility as well," he stated. "Four lads should be able to deal with a cross that's landed in our six-yard box, three yards out. We should be dealing with that."
Bell vowed to continue working on these issues in training, stressing the importance of consistency. He believes that addressing these defensive vulnerabilities is crucial for Crewe Alexandra to achieve their ambitions this season.
Crewe's Defensive Struggles: A Cause for Concern?
- Conceding late goals proves costly.
- Inability to defend crosses a major weakness.
- Players need to take more responsibility.
- Consistency key to improvement.