Tomorrow afternoon sees Crewe Alexandra host Swindon Town in the FA Cup 1st Round. The Swindon squad contains former Alex players Harry McKirdy and Anthony Grant.
This Season:
They sit in 5th place in League 2 following wins against Scunthorpe United, Salford City, Mansfield Town, Bristol Rovers, Forest Green Rovers, Sutton United and Oldham Athletic, they have drawn against Tranmere Rovers, Stevenage, Northampton Town, Colchester United and Rochdale while they have lost Carlisle United, Port Vale and Bradford City.
They were knocked out by Cambridge United on penalties in the Carabao Cup 1st Round and have will qualified from their EFL Trophy group after wins against Arsenal’s Under-21s and Plymouth Argyle and will play Newport County on Tuesday night.
Transfers:
Swindon have made 17 signings, 13 on permanent deals and 4 on season-long loans. Goalkeepers Joe Wollacott and Lewis Ward have arrived along with defenders Pierce Sweeney, Akin Odimayo and loanees Kaine Kesler Hayden and Romoney Crichlow. Also joining were midfielders Ben Gladwin, Mo Dabre, Grant, Louis Reed, Ryan East, Ricky Aguiar, Jonny Williams and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson while forwards McKirdy and loanees Tyreece Simpson and Alex Gilbert complete the signings.
They have allowed 17 to leave permanently, including former Alex winger Joel Grant, while Aguilar has joined Chippenham Town on loan.
Head-to-Head:
Alex Wins: 15
Robins Wins: 20
Draws: 6
Biggest Alex Win: 3-0 at the Alexandra Stadium in February 1983
Biggest Robins Win: 5-0 at the County Ground in August 2013
Last Meeting:
Swindon Town 2-1 Crewe Alexandra, 20th February 2021
Tom Lowery gave the Alex a 5th-minute lead before Travis Johnson’s own goal would level the score 5 minutes later. As it looked as if the points would be shared, substitute Scott Twine would score the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage-time.
Alex: Richards; Johnson, Wood, Beckles, Pickering; Murphy, Wintle, Lowery (Evans 90); Dale (Powell 77), Mandron (Porter 89), Kirk
Swindon: Wollacott; Conroy, Grounds, Broadbent; Caddis (Odimayo 90), Palmer, Missilou (Twine 70), Payne, Thompson; Garrick (Hope 81), Pitman
Played for Both:
The following players have been contracted to both teams:
Goalkeepers: n/a
Defenders: Marlon Broomes, Olly Lancashire, Patrick Noubissie, Colin Prophett, Alan Sheehan, Ashley Westwood
Midfielders: Alex Downie, Paul Edwards, Mark Gardiner, Anthony Grant, Tony Grant, Danny Hollands, Anthony McNamee, Alan Navarro, Gary Roberts, Kevin Stewart, Teddy Ware, Gareth Whalley
Forwards: Nicky Ajose, Billy Bodin, Fred Chandler, Peter Coyne, Joel Grant, Harry McKirdy, Marc Richards, Jimmy Thompson, Tommy Weale
Officials:
The officials for this game have been announced here with Trevor Kettle the referee, Gary Hilton and Peter Gooch are his assistants with Dale Baines the fourth official. The following game has been refereed by Kettle in the past 5 years:
- Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Morecambe (22nd November 2016) – Jones, Kiwomya
- Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Crewe Alexandra (29th April 2017) – Jones
- Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Stevenage (7th October 2017) – Bowery
- Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Fleetwood Town (14th August 2018) – Wintle
- Crewe Alexandra 1-3 Cheltenham Town (30th March 2019) – Taylor-Sinclair
- Ipswich Town 1-0 Crewe Alexandra (31st October 2020)
- Charlton Athletic 2-2 Crewe Alexandra (27th April 2021) – Dale (2)
Opposition View:
I asked Swindon Town supporter Steven Fyfe for his thoughts going into the game and the season so far.
What do you think of your season so far?
Remarkable really! Taking everything into account from relegation, ownership etc. the staff and squad are certainly exceeding expectations. There have been a few bumps in the road but what club hasn’t?
Are there any players that are missing for the Robins?
Only Critchlow, which is a blow, but not unmanageable.
What position do you feel you need to strengthen most during the forthcoming transfer window?
I’d say striker and that is no disrespect to Simpson as he’s largely been very good, but he needs help. He’s young and can’t play 46 + Cup games he’ll burn out.
What do you think the team will be?
Probably the same as the Oldham win to be honest with Odimayo in for Critchlow.
Who are the Swindon danger men?
Simpson, McKirdy, Hayden
Gladwin, Reed, Williams, Payne – depending on which configuration play.
It’s exciting to have exciting players!
What would be a successful season for Swindon this season?
The doom has shifted and although we cannot forget, we cannot let it be our narrative. I’d say playoffs is an achievement but the top half is the minimum expected now. Looking at some performances and results, I’ll whisper Promotion as my aim from here.
