Tomorrow afternoon sees the Alex travel down to the County Ground to face league-leaders Swindon Town looking to get a league double after a 3-1 victory in South Cheshire in October.
So far this season, they have beaten Scunthorpe United, Carlisle United, Morecambe, Leyton Orient, Macclesfield Town, Cambridge United twice, Stevenage, Crawley Town, Walsall, Salford City, Mansfield Town, Grimsby Town, Oldham Athletic and Plymouth Argyle, they have drawn with Exeter City, Cheltenham Town, Plymouth, Forest Green Rovers and Bradford City while they have lost to Northampton Town, Colchester United, Newport County, Bradford City, us and Port Vale.
In the cups, they lost 3-0 to Colchester in the 1st Round of the EFL Cup and lost to Cheltenham after a replay at the same stage of the FA Cup. In the EFL Trophy, they finished bottom of their group after defeats to Chelsea’s Under-21 side, Plymouth and Bristol Rovers.
Looking back in the archives, the two teams have met 39 times with Swindon leading the head-to-head with 18 wins to 15 with 6 draws. Crewe’s biggest win came in a 3-1 victory at the County Ground in December 2012 while Town’s biggest win came at the same ground in August 2013 where they won 5-0. Last season saw 2 wins for the Alex, a 1-0 in South Cheshire as well as a 2-1 win in Wiltshire back in April.
Who are the officials for the game?
The officials for this game see Darren Handley as the man in the middle where he is assisted by Bhupinder Gill and Stephen Brown with Michael Webb being the fourth official. Here are the Crewe games that have been refereed by Handley in the previous 5 years:
- Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Yeovil Town (10th February 2015) – Ajose
- Crewe Alexandra 1-3 Millwall (12th September 2015) – Dalla Valle
- Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Walsall (13th February 2016) – Inman
- Accrington Stanley 0-3 Crewe Alexandra (30th August 2016, EFL Trophy) – Cooper, Ainley, Udoh
- Crewe Alexandra 0-0 Cheltenham Town (28th January 2017)
- Port Vale 0-1 Crewe Alexandra (26th August 2017) – Dagnall
- Newport County 1-2 Crewe Alexandra (24th March 2018) – Bowery, McKirdy
- Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Bradford City (31st August 2019) – Kirk, Lowery
I asked Swindon Town supporter Steven Fyfe for his thoughts going into the game and the season so far.
How would you describe your season since the last meeting?
The season has been superb. Even with a blip in form, we are top, generally playing well and full of confidence.
Which area of the squad is the one that needs strengthening the most in the January window?
With the news that Doyle has gone back to Bradford, I have to say striker. It is unfair for Jerry Yates to take on all the pressure. Cover at centre back is also required if possible.
What do you think the team will be?
Benda; Caddis, ?, ?, Hunt; Grant, Doughty; Isgrove, Jaiyesimi, Woolery; Yates
Absolutely no idea who will play CB. It was Grant and Fryers last week but hoping an actual CB will be fit.
How would you set-up to nullify your team?
Sit deep and then break wide. If you get crosses in you have a chance, especially if we have no fit CBs.
Who is the Swindon danger man?
Isgrove would be my shout for danger man. Likely to create most of our chances.
What is your target for the rest of the season?
It would be madness not to say promotion, but we need to add to our squad. Doyle coming back will be massive should it happen.
