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Walsall 1 Crewe 2 - Player ratings

Liam Keen rates the Walsall players after a 2-1 loss to Crewe Alexandra.

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LIAM ROBERTS

The goalkeeper was a spectator in the first half after an impressive display from his team-mates in front of him. In the second period, he wasn't strong enough at several crosses into his box. 5

SHAY FACEY

It was a relatively solid display from Facey all-round on his return from injury. Defensively he did well against tricky winger Charlie Kirk. He could have offered more going forward, however. 6

DAN SCARR

Scarr's first half was probably an eight rating, but his second half was below par, earning him a six on balance. In the first 45 he was excellent in the air and won everything, in the second 45 he wasn't at it. 6

MAT SADLER

Sadler had a decent first half alongside Scarr but in the second he struggled. Positionally he wasn't at it and he lost too many challenges in the air. His distribution from the back was also poor. 5

CAMERON PRING

Pring was easily the best defender in a Walsall shirt on the day. He did well to keep forward Daniel Powell at bay, particularly in the first half. At times in the second half when the team was struggling, he drove them forward. 7

RORY HOLDEN

The midfielder deserves all the plaudits for what was probably his best showing in a Saddlers shirt. In the first half he was almost unplayable at times – he's certainly progressing. He did dip in the second half, however. 8

LIAM KINSELLA

As with the rest of the side, Kinsella was particularly good in the first half. He broke up the play well and showed dogged determination. In the second half he failed to link with the forwards. 6

NATHAN SHERON

The on-loan midfielder drops a mark below his midfielder partner Kinsella because he often gave the ball away in the second half. At times he sits too deep and the forwards can suffer because of it. 5

WES MCDONALD

For a player who has been so fantastic this season, McDonald has been off the pace for three games now. He saw a lot of the ball in the first half but took too long with his decisions and in the second he was almost anonymous. 5

JOSH GORDON

Gordon showed why he's so much better up front rather than on the right wing. He was terrific in the first half and hassled the Crewe defenders brilliantly. Again, he faded a bit in the second half. 7

CAOLAN LAVERY

Lavery benefits massively when he has Gordon alongside him and the pair combined for the goal, which Lavery took well. Similarly to Gordon and the rest of the team, he also faded in the second half. 7

SUBS: Nolan (for McDonald 68) 6, Guthrie (for Sheron 71) 5, Adebayo (for Holden 78) 5. Subs not used: Rose, Norman, Jules, Sinclair.