Friday afternoon sees the second of two home games against relegation-troubled sides with Yeovil Town making the long trip north to the Alexandra Stadium with the game in Somerset finishing 1-1 earlier in the season.
Looking at the visitors, so far this season they have 9 victories, 10 draws and 23 defeats in the league as they sit in 23rd place. They have beaten Notts County twice, Stevenage, Grimsby Town, Newport County, Carlisle United, Mansfield Town, Cambridge United and Morecambe, they have drawn with Mansfield, Oldham Athletic, MK Dons, Exeter City, Tranmere Rovers twice, us, Cambridge United, Northampton Town and Swindon Town and have lost against Bury, Swindon, Crawley Town twice, Colchester United, Morecambe, Macclesfield Town twice, Port Vale twice, Forest Green Rovers twice, Exeter City, Cheltenham Town, Grimsby, Oldham, Lincoln City, MK Dons and Newport.
In cup competitions, they lost at home to Aston Villa in the 1st Round of the EFL Cup as well as losing in the same round of the FA Cup against Stockport County. In the EFL Trophy, they finished 3rd in their group which contained Exeter City, Bristol Rovers and West Ham United’s Under-21 side.
Looking back in the archives, the two teams have met 23 times with Crewe leading the head-to-head with 10 wins to 7 with 6 draws. Cheltenham’s biggest win came in November 2016 at the Alexandra Stadium during an FA Cup 1st Round replay as they won 4-1 whilst the Alex’s biggest win came in April 2011 with an 8-1 victory at the Alexandra Stadium. Last season saw a pair of home wins as Cheltenham won at Whaddon Road 1-0 whilst Crewe won on the final day of last season 2-1 as they started with the 2nd ever Academy 11.
Who are the officials for the game?
The officials for this game see Eddie Ilderton as the man in the middle where he is assisted by Anthony Moore and Thomas Harty with Ian Smedley being the fourth official. During the last 5 seasons, the following Crewe games have been refereed by Ilderton:
- Bristol City 0-0 Crewe Alexandra (26th April 2014)
- Crewe Alexandra 0-3 Colchester United (27th September 2014)
- Rochdale 2-2 Crewe Alexandra (16th February 2016) – Haber, Seager
- Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Accrington Stanley (31st December 2016)
- Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Newport County (12th August 2017) – Dagnall
- Crewe Alexandra 0-3 Swindon Town (23rd December 2017)
I asked Yeovil Town supporter Darren Taylor for his thoughts going into the game.
How would you describe your season since our last meeting?
Absolutely appalling. We are a shambles. The board took far too long to sack their man, Darren Way and as a result, we are almost certainly going down.
What do you think the team will be for tomorrow’s game?
Baxter, Mugabi, Gafaiti, Warren, Ojo, Abrahams, Worthington, James, Dobre, Fisher, Duffus
Is Maddox still the danger man or is there someone else that we should look out for?
No one. We are that bad.
How have you done since Darren Way’s departure?
Lost two games and drawn one. But sacking Way was long overdue.
What positions do you feel you need to strengthen ahead of next season, regardless of which division you will end up in?
Difficult to say. If we somehow survive, then all positions. If we go down, as I expect we will, then perhaps not as many. Midfield definitely needs someone who can create something though.
