Tomorrow afternoon sees a trip to Nottinghamshire to face promotion-chasing Mansfield Town, the Stags looking to complete a league double following their 3-0 win at the Alexandra Stadium back in October.
Looking at the hosts, so far this season they have 17 victories, 15 draws and 6 defeats in the league as they sit in 3rd place. They have beaten Newport County, Carlisle United, Northampton Town, Morecambe, us, Grimsby Town twice, Port Vale, Notts County, Stevenage, Bury, Crawley Town, Colchester United, Tranmere Rovers, Macclesfield Town, Forest Green Rovers and Cheltenham Town, they have drawn against Yeovil Town, Colchester, Tranmere, Macclesfield, Cambridge United, Oldham Athletic, Bury, Swindon Town twice, MK Dons, Cheltenham, Lincoln City twice, Forest Green and Crawley whilst they have lost to Exeter City, Carlisle, Yeovil Town, Newport, Notts County and Port Vale.
In cup competitions, they lost 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion in the EFL Cup after battering Accrington Stanley 6-1 in the first round whilst they lost in the first round of the FA Cup against Charlton Athletic in a replay. In the EFL Trophy, they won their group having beaten Lincoln City, Wolves Under-21 and Scunthorpe United before losing to Bury in the second round.
Looking back in the archives, the two teams have met 79 times with Crewe leading the head-to-head with 31 wins to 30 with 18 draws. Crewe’s biggest win came in a 7-0 victory at the Alexandra Stadium in February 1933 while Mansfield’s biggest win came at the Field Mill on Xmas Day 1953 with a 6-0 win. Last season’s games saw the season open with a 2-2 draw in South Cheshire before a 4-3 Alex win in Nottinghamshire in April.
Who are the officials for the game?
The officials for this game see Thomas Bramall as the man in the middle where he is assisted by Isaac Searle and Joe Simpson with Stephen Wade being the fourth official. During the last 5 seasons the following Crewe game has been refereed by Bramall:
- Crewe Alexandra 1-4 Manchester City Under-21 (25th September 2018) – Nicholls
I asked Mansfield supporter Sam Binch for her thoughts going into the game.
How would you describe your season since our last meeting?
Immediately after the first meeting was our best form of the season. Since the turn of the year we have been easier to beat and we can’t seem to find a settled team. Despite that we’re still picking up the results to keep us in 3rd place.
What do you think the Stags team will be for the game?
Smith, Preston, Pearce, Sweeney, Jones, Bishop, Mellis, Benning, Grant, Walker, Hamilton
Is Khan still the danger man or is there someone else that we should look out for?
He hasn’t had a look in since an injury in the game before we played you. CJ Hamilton is the danger man, the quickest player in the league. Also hoping on-loan Forest duo Jorge Grant and Tyler Walker can rediscover their form.
Any changes to who you think will be promoted and relegated?
Us instead of Colchester, the other three were pretty good calls!
