We’re still searching for our first win since New Years Day, but a lacklustre display against 10 men Swindon won’t have raised hopes for this game. We’ll also see out the final game of the month without any new faces, bar the temporary Patrick Boyle, and whether that absence remains will be known by Thursday afternoon.
A lack of signings could prove fatal to our time in League One. A defeat tonight could put us into the relegation zone and if not in it, it would certainly leave us with a lot to do to pull ourselves away from it. Cheltenham vs Millwall will be the game to keep an eye out on. A Bristol Rovers win and Cheltenham win would leave us at least three points from the nearest team, and should Huddersfield and Gillingham also win, in a set of freak results but also possible results, then we’d be five points adrift of the next team. I needn’t explain the consequence of a Hartlepool win too.
With a tough February also approaching, where Brighton (A), Carlisle (H), Leeds (A), Orient (A) & Swansea (H) await, it’s pretty clear how much we need to win tonight as there can’t be many points for the taking in the next few weeks. It’s such a tough month that you wonder just how much a win will help tonight, you almost feel that, regardless of tonight, it’s more important to take points off the above teams.
It’s a sticky mess. One the club has got themselves into, one the players must get themselves out of.
Vital Quotes:
Crewe Alexandra Team News:
– Nicky Maynard is rated as doubtful with a ‘sore toe’.
– Michael O’Connor is doubtful after injuring his foot in training.
– Shaun Miller is still ruled out.
– If Maynard and O’Connor declare themselves fit then the team should remain the same.
Player to watch: Julien Baudet
Time for the [vice] captain to rally his troops. After his comments this week, let’s hope he makes his presence known on the pitch.
Bristol Rovers Team News:
Coming soon
Player to watch: Coming soon
Coming soon
Match Facts & Stats
The two teams have played each other 18 times. Crewe have come out on top with 8 wins to Rovers’ 6 wins. There have been four draws.
Next Fixtures:
Brighton, away, Saturday, 3pm.