In what has been labelled a ‘must win’ game by Dario Gradi, bottom club Crewe meet Brighton, who occupy 23rd position. With Crewe 6 points behind Brighton, albeit with a game in hand, the game is a last chance for any survival hopes to be ignited.
Vital Quotes:
Brighton manager Mark McGhee: ‘If we win, we could make it very difficult for Crewe. If we draw it will still be a very good result for us, but if we lose then it’s not just a case of having lost more points, it’s psychological.’ McGhee, however, attempted to pile the pressure onto rivals Crewe, ‘Crewe will see it as a vital game, and it is for them because if we beat them they are in real trouble. It is a big game, every game for us now is a big game, but it is certainly not make or break for us.’
Crewe boss Dario Gradi: ‘It is as close as you can get to a six-pointer but we still have to be careful in our approach. We don’t want the build up to create too much tension and anxiety because we still want to get the ball down and play. The trick is to be up for it, mean and aggressive when they are in possession of the ball but play football when we have it.’
Crewe Team News:
Crewe are without top scorer Billy Jones who is serving a one game suspension having picked up 5 bookings. Midfielder Tony Grant will make his debut as he replaces Billy Jones in the Crewe midfield. Another 18-year old midfielder, Gary Roberts, is to be rested for the game after showing signs of tiring in recent weeks with Lee Bell taking his place. Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra will make his debut as Crewe look to end a winless streak of 17 games. Steve Foster is expected to recover from illness in time to partner Bougherra with Richard Walker likely to miss out. Despite returning to training, the game has come too early for midfielder David Vaughan.
Likely line up (4-3-3): Turnbull, Otsemobor, Foster, Bougherra, Tonkin, Bell, Grant, Lunt, S. Jones, Rodgers, Taylor
Player to watch: Luke Rodgers
Rodgers has impressed in recent weeks and is likely to start on the wing once again. After getting the assist for Steve Jones’ goal last weekend, the striker is likely to be fired up for the bottom of the table clash.
Brighton Team News:
Brighton are without defender Paul McShane, who begins a two-match suspension after picking up 10 bookings, as well as long-term absentee Charlie Oatway. It was expected that winger Sebastien Carole would miss out though the French winger has recovered in time to make the squad for Saturday’s game. Richard Carpenter also returns from injury and Adam Hinshelwood is available once again following a one-game suspension.
Likely line up (4-4-2): Henderson, El-Abd, Hinshelwood, Butters, Mayo, Carole, Carpenter, Hammond, Frutos, Gatting, Hart.
Player to watch: Sebastien Carole
The ex-Monaco winger, who has Champions League experience, has been a bright spark in a fairly mediocre Brighton attack this season. The winger has 5 assists and 2 goals to his name and will no doubt cause problems for Crewe’s leaky defence.
Match Facts & Stats
Last Time Out: In a fairly dire game at the equally dire Withdean Stadium, Crewe recovered from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 with less than 5 minutes to go but Dean Hammond scored an 88th minute equaliser. The departed Leon Knight was Brighton’s other scorer. Mark Rivers, now at Carlisle, was on the scoresheet for Crewe that day along with Michael Higdon.
Recent Meetings:
Brighton 2-2 Crewe
Brighton 1-3 Crewe
Crewe 3-1 Brighton
Brighton 2-2 Crewe
Crewe 3-1 Brighton
Brighton 0-1 Crewe
Crewe 4-0 Brighton
Brighton’s Top Scorer: Colin Kazim-Richards – 5
Brighton’s Leading Assistsman: Sebastien Carole – 5
Crewe’s Top Goal Scorer: Billy Jones – 6
Crewe’s Top Assistsman: Steve Jones – 9
Brighton are without a win in 6 games and have lost each of their last 4
Crewe are without a win in 17 games
Crewe have lost their last 4 home games and are without a win in 8 home games
Brighton have lost their last 6 away games and are without a win in their last 10 away games
Both sides have gained just 1 point from their last 6 games
Crewe have never failed to win a game against Brighton in the 5 meetings between the clubs at Gresty Road.
Crewe and Brighton have the two worst defensive records in the Championship this season.
Match Prediction:
Crewe 2-0 Brighton