By Matt Owen
31/12/2007 - Fanzone: New year, but same old story
The New year is traditionally a time to look for positives, make a fresh start and forget what has gone before.
But for Crewe fans, it is difficult to even muster the energy to turn up for the game, let alone be positive about what 2008 may bring.
The year 2007 - meant to be one of revival - has instead turned out to be another year of deep depression.
I am struggling to find something to cling on to which could give me hope of going forward. I have no confidence the current regime can turns things around. Words mean nothing ... it's about results.
One word would sum them up - deluded. We are in a relegation battle and the sooner they drop their ideas of grandeur the better. We need to roll up our sleeves and battle.
Dario Gradi says we are young team which is improving. Sorry, but I don't buy that. The likes of Williams, McCready, Baudet, Roberts, Abbey, Cox and Lowe are experienced at this level. It is up to them to help the others through this difficult period.
Plus, the management team have brought in younger players on loan when they could have gone for more experienced players. Church, Barnard and Bennett are all still learning.
It is about time the management team admitted they have made mistakes and start to sort it out.
Experienced players have been available. The likes of Ahmet Brkovic - scorer at the New Den - Dave Brammer, Kenny Lunt and Ritchie Barker have all been available.
These, of course, may have cost money, which is probably why the have not arrived in South Cheshire. It remains to be seen whether they dust down the cheque book this January and make some astute signings.
I have always maintained we have the makings of a decent team. Yes, players have under-performed, but I feel we lack real leadership.
Heads are down and every defeat is demoralising them yet further.
The longer we continue like this, the harder it will get. The lack of goals is worrying. A target man is required urgently and we don't want a cheap bargain bucket stop gap.
Years of non-investment in the first team is catching up with us. We have money available, so let's use it.
It's make your mind up time. We can carry on acting as if everything is fine and slip to another relegation with Gradi taking us back to where he found us. Or we can arrest the slide by doing something about it.
After Tuesday's game against Tranmere we have a mini break before the showdown against Leeds on Monday, January 14.
My advice would be they use this time wisely to assess the situation, clear the dead wood, bring some players in and forget what has gone before.
No more mistakes or excuses. Be bold, be brash, change the habit of a lifetime and give us suffering fans something to cheer going into a New Year.