It must be horrible coming from Crewe. It’s that weird thing they have of not knowing whether they’re in the Midlands or the North. It must adversely effect their brains – or, at least, it’s the only explanation I can think of for them thinking they are better than they really are in footballing terms. You know, the only club that ever produced a decent young player sort of thing.

Of course, at one time the town had something to be proud of, with it being the home of Rolls Royce and Bentley cars, but those days have long gone and both companies are no longer even British owned, so the town has even less going for it than it ever did before.

At least, however, I don’t feel quite as antagonistic to them nowadays, as they’ve got rid of the completely ungracious Dario Gradi, who never had a good word for us even whwn we did beat them fair and square!

Jimmy Mullen is the Manager going into the game with problems. Half of his first choice defence will be missing, as Weston and Stephen (Sicknote) Roberts will miss the game. Palmer and Manny Smith are the likely deputies.

In midfield, the influential Dwayne Mattis will also miss the game and most fans will be hoping for the greater creativity of Mark Bradley over Richard Taundry alongside Stephen Hughes.

Marco Reich showed enough last week for him to be pushing for a start, but the question there will be whether he plays up front in place of the suspended Michael Ricketts, or on the right wing. Plenty of choices to make for the Manager!
As for Crewe, coach Steve Holland is hoping centre-back Chris McCready will be fit enough to feature. The defender suffered a hamstring injury in the defeat at Carlisle, where he was replaced late in the game by George Abbey. Former Nigerian international Abbey and Daniel O’Donnell are on stand-by should McCready not recover in time.
Right-back Danny Woodards is expected to be fit after he also tweaked his hamstring at Brunton Park, while Calvin Zola could return from an ankle problem.
Zola sustained the injury in the defeat to Brighton on the opening day of the season, ruling him out of the games against Barnsley and Carlisle. A late decision will be made on the forward’s fitness.
New signing Clayton Donaldson could be in line for his debut after completing his move from Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.
Eugen Bopp is making progress in his recovery from the abductor strain he suffered against Brighton on the opening day of the season. However, this game is likely to come too soon for the winger.
Their dangerman will be the aforementioned Zola, if fit.
Predictions?
They’ve had a rotten start to the season. Lost at home to Brighton and away (heavily) to Carlisle. Both are good teams, but with the Railwaymen being rock bottom, they will be desperate to kick start their season. However, it’s another of those games we should be looking to win, if we have pretentions of success. I still would go for a draw, though!