Tomorrow afternoon Crewe Alexandra travel down the M6 to face Walsall at the Bescot Stadium, the hosts’ playing squad containing former Alex defender Donervon Daniels.
This Season:
This season sees The Saddlers sit in 2nd place in the league having won against Morecambe, Swindon Town, Cheltenham Town, Bradford City, Salford City, Colchester United, Grimsby Town and Carlisle United, they have drawn against Chesterfield and Accrington Stanley while they have lost against Tranmere Rovers, MK Dons and Fleetwood Town.
They beat Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup 1st Round to set up a game against Charlton Athletic in Round 2 while they lost lost against Leicester City on penalties in the Carabao Cup 3rd Round (after knocking out both Exeter City and Huddersfield Town in the previous rounds).
In the EFL Trophy, they sit in 2nd place after wins against Birmingham City on penalties then Fulham’s Under-21s to qualify after two games and play Shrewsbury Town in the final group game on Tuesday.
Transfers:
They have signed goalkeeper Sam Hornby, defenders Connor Barrett, David Okagbue and Rico Browne, midfielder Charlie Lakin while forwards Josh Gordon and Albert Adomah complete their permanent signings. Goalkeeper Tommy Simkin and forwards Reyes Cleary, Nathan Lowe and George Hall have all joined on season-long loans.
Leaving the club this summer were midfielder Isaac Hutchinson and goalkeeper Jackson Smith have joined Bristol Rovers and Barnsley respectively while Tom Knowles, Joe Riley, Owen Evans, Joe Foulkes, Rollin Menayese and Aramide Oteh left when their deals expired. A number of players have left the club on loan deals.
Coaches Thoughts:
Here are the thoughts of the two sets of coaching staff heading into the game:
Head-to-Head:
Alex Wins: 25
Walsall Wins: 32
Draws: 21
Biggest Alex Win: 5-1 at the Alexandra Stadium in May 1993
Biggest Walsall Win: 6-0 at the Fellows Park in October 1958
Last Meeting
Walsall 2-0 Crewe Alexandra, 26th December 2023
Freddie Draper gave the hosts the lead in the 33rd minute before Oisin McEntee doubled the lead just after the hour-mark.
Crewe: Booth; O’Riordan, Demetriou, Williams; Cooney, White (Agius 90), Adebisi, Billington (Long 64); Rowe; Tracey, Baker-Richardson
Booked: White 39, O’Riordan 54, Long 71, Rowe 90, Cooney 90
Walsall: Smith; McEntee (Williams 84), Farquharson, Daniels; Knowles, Comley, Stirk, Hutchinson, Gordon; Matt (Earing 80), Draper
Booked: Hutchinson 8
Played for Both:
The following players have been contracted to both teams:
Goalkeepers: Ernie Adams, Ademola Bankole, Clayton Ince, John Ruddy, Ben Williams
Defenders: Sagi Burton, Dean Howell, Chris Hussey, Tony McCarthy, Mick Packer, Efe Sodje, Paul Tierney, Andy Taylor, David Wright, Steve Wright
Midfielders: Andy Bond, David Fox, Tecwun Jones, Brian Launders, Alan Maybury
Forwards: Terry Anderson, Graham Barrett, Andrew Barrowman, Pat Connolly, Fred Inskip, Mika Mandron, Jamie Moralee, Dean Morgan, Bill Pendergast, Chris Porter, Dominic Smith, Billy Stark
Officials:
The EFL have announced that Stephen Parkinson is tomorrow’s referee with Ceri Williams and Mark Cunliffe assisting him and Andrew Ellis the fourth official. The following Crewe game has been refereed by Parkinson in the last 5 years:
- Crewe Alexandra 2-3 Salford City (27th January 2024) – Rowe, Nevitt
