Crewe Alex 2025-2026 Season Preview Part 1 – Individual and Positional Breakdowns

Last summer, I realised that I had found my ideal format for my Crewe Alex season preview articles, with 2 pieces being released, one covering the individual player previews and an overall look at the positional breakdowns and how they stack up. Then a 2nd where I give some general observations and make my predictions for the upcoming season for the team as a whole.

So, that's what I'm back to do this summer. Let's start with part 1 then, as I look at the 29 contracted/loan players that make up their 2025-26 squad to date and assess them individually and as part of the various position groups.

Goalkeepers

Number 1a/1b: Tom Booth(2 year contract signed, expires summer 2027)

What a disaster 25-26 was for Booth and it wasn't even his fault. A pre-season injury gave Filip Marschall the chance to leap frog him into the number 1 spot and the Villa loanee never gave the shirt up after that, playing all 46 league games.

That meant Booth has a lost season sat on the bench. Which ok for keepers isn't the worst thing in the world. But still, a season sat on the sidelines playing 0 games doesn't benefit him at all. Now, with a fresh deal until 2027 signed, this has to be the moment where he steps up and nails the number 1 spot and makes it his own.

One thing is for sure, if he falters or picks up an injury, Waller could well supplant him and not let the starting spot go. He has to maintain a high standard and prove the doubters in the fan base, of which there are several, wrong.

Number 1a/1b: Sam Waller(Season long loan deal signed, expires summer 2026)

The Alex bolstered their keeping area by signing the youngster on loan from Burnley. Unlike the last 4 keepers they signed, this one has a bit of pedigree. Given Okonkwo, Beadle and Davies were making their competitive debuts when they arrived and Marschall was coming off a horrendous spell with MK Dons, this lad has some good reviews from a previous club, having kept 7 clean sheets in 20 appearances for Rochdale last season.

He looks set to start the season on the bench, but any loss of form by Booth will open the door and he'll have the chance to take it.

Position Assessment

I'm more at ease with the Alex's goalkeeping situation than I have been in a long time. Yes, I'd have liked to have seen them go for an experienced option, but this approach of having 2 keeper, 1 permanently and 1 on loan, has mostly worked for 2 out of the last 3 seasons now, so I'm good with them doing it again.

I don't quite get why so many are quick to doubt Booth or write him off. He's just about to turn 21 and has only had 1 run of games in the first team, which was ended by injury. He'll be the number 1 for the first few games of the season at least. And if he falters, then Waller looks capable of stepping in and taking over. But let's give Booth a chance first.

Defenders – Right Back

Starter/Bench: Lewis Billington(12 month extension triggered, expires summer 2026)

The last 12 months sort of just....happened for Billington. I would say we don't know any more about him than we did 12 months ago. He's a solid defender who won't cost you many games, but as a RB, he just lacks the attacking chops to be a consistent force going forward, which is what you need in the modern game. He's looked better in pre-season, but let's see if he can carry that over into the league.

Position Assessment

As of posting this, the Alex have 1 RB in the squad and even then, you can make the case that Billo isn't a RB at all. You can be high on someone like Dancey, who I toyed with putting in this position instead, but for now I'll leave him at CB. They are rumoured to be after a loan player in this spot which is good, so hopefully they can be added to really give Billo some competition. As for now, they feel weak here.

Defenders – Centre Back

Starter: Mickey Demetriou(New 1 year deal signed, expires summer 2026, option for 2nd year)

I said 12 months ago that I worried about how much he was being pushed to start every week and how reliant they were on him as the only defender over the age of 24 in the squad. Both those concerns were realised when he missed a number of games through injury, his performance levels dipped slightly and the defence fell apart without him.

They have to start planning for life without him, as he turns 36 in March and it's rare players play at a high level beyond 35. Use him as much as possible, but also look to mix in games off to help reduce the risk of injuries and fatigue, as he has a lot of miles on the clock and they are starting to show. I'd be targeting 30-35 starts at most and finding ways to wean themselves off him, especially if his dip in performances from last season carry over.

He's still one of the best CBs in the league when fit and fully healthy, but how much longer that will last remains to be seen.

Starter/Bench: James Connolly(1 year left on deal, expires summer 2026)

Connolly is back after missing the entire 2nd half of last season with a bad hamstring injury and is now being given the opportunity to make a case to be a starter after pairing with Demetriou throughout this pre-season. The club will surely make a CB signing before the end of the window and that signing will challenge Connolly for a starting spot on the right side of defence. So Connolly has to now step up and prove he can hack it on a weekly basis at this level. His EFL future depends on it.

U21s/Fringe: Stan Dancey(1 year deal, expires summer 2026)

Dancey is coming off an impressive last scholarship year with the U18s where he captained them. Capable of playing both at CB and RB, he's probably still too raw to expect to feature extensively in the first team squad, but depending on his progress, he could make the step up more quickly. He stands to get minutes in the cup competitions you suspect, plus plenty of games for the U21s and maybe a month or two out on loan to build experience.

He's only signed a 1 year deal, so he'll have to work hard and show clear signs of progression to warrant being kept in 26-27.

U21s/Fringe: Phil Croker(2 year deal, expires summer 2027)

The Alex sprung a surprise when they signed the young CB from Oxford City. It made more sense when they revealed that Nathan Robinson had left the club to go and take on a football scholarship in America, bumping Croker up a rung on the depth chart. He's had a solid pre-season, looking mostly decent against mostly lower end opposition.

What role he has to play this season, I'm not too sure. He could find himself playing games quickly if injuries hit, so he could face a sink or swim moment far sooner than we might believe.

Position Assessment

Honestly, I think it's baffling that the season is here and they have not signed a single player in this area from outside the club. Well, senior player. CB is one of the most crucial positions in a squad and they've badly neglected it. Maybe they were in on several and got knocked back. I'm sure they have been chasing targets. But this group as it's currently constructed is wafer thin. Not for numbers, but for reliability and depth.

Connolly was so-so in the games he played last season and hasn't played a competitive game since January. Croker and Dancey have zero minutes of EFL football between them. If you think they're suddenly going to move Billington inside, then why did they not do that at any stage last season? And let's be serious with the "Thomas can play there" stuff as well.

They are ridiculously reliant on an aging(and maybe fading) Demetriou and any long term issue to him kills them in this most crucial of areas. Last season, they conceded 1.45 goals per game without him compared to 0.91 per game with him. The lack of strengthening in this area is deeply concerning. Hopefully it's addressed soon, although what budget is left and options there are now, I don't know.

Defenders – Left Back

Starter: Reece Hutchinson(2 year deal, expires summer 2027)

After going for a loanee last season, the Alex have a permanent starter at LB in the midlands born Hutchinson. After spells with Burton and Cheltenham, he took himself over to Ireland to play for Sligo and he seemingly turned himself into a decent player there.

He's now returned to the EFL and has a chance to kick on as he enters the prime years of his career. He looks to tick every box of modern full back, however the number of games he's played since February for Sligo without a break likely caps how many starts the Alex can get out of him this season, likely somewhere around the 30 range. He'll have to be carefully managed, regardless of form, but he looks like a rock solid addition.

Bench: Charlie Finney(1 year deal, expires summer 2026)

Finney is a touch fortunate to still be around in my opinion. I do think he has something about him, as he did display on occasion last season. But I can see why a lot of the fan base has written him off and moved on. At the end of the day, he's 22 in October and has made barely any league starts to date. It's very rare to see a player suddenly turn into a regular starter in those circumstances.

And unfortunately, in the pre-season friendlies he's not helped his case. He's been available, but he's not really stood out and looks set to start on the bench. Which leaves you to question how good he'll be when he gets the chance to start.

Position Assessment

I'm fairly on the fence with this position group. On paper, 30 odd starts from Hutchinson is fine, but Finney as depth is questionable. He'll have to be ready for the games Hutchinson can't play in and I hope he is, as they'll likely need 20 odd starts out of him at various points. This pairing could be fine, but it's the games Finney has to step in which concern me. Sink of swim time for him.

Midfielders

Starter: Conor Thomas(1 year left on deal, expires summer 2026)

It's good to see him be available throughout the pre-season, but unfortunately it's fair to ask how long that availability will last for, given he's made 37 starts in the last 2 seasons combined. I still don't particularly rate him, which I've made more than clear on many occasions. But if they want to build around him in midfield, fine.

Just be ready for the big chunk of games he'll inevitably miss throughout the season.

Starter/Bench: Max Sanders(1 year left on deal, expires summer 2026)

I feel sorry for Sanders. Last season, it felt like he was chucked under the bus and scapegoated for their struggles as he was bombed out of the side in favour of inferior players or players used in unfamiliar spots. What exactly did they think they were getting when they signed him? He's a neat and tidy ball player who occasionally will do defensive work and occasionally will get forward. Which is what he gave them.

It does look like the slate has been wiped clean for him this season, as he's been made a regular starter alongside Thomas and Lunt in the new look 3 man midfield. I just hope he doesn't get shunted to one side when he doesn't give them something he isn't perhaps capable of.

Starter/Bench: Owen Lunt(1 year deal, expires summer 2026)

Like a few in the Alex squad, this season feels like a make or break for Lunt. He showed brief flashes of potential last season, but those who question his ability to be a difference maker aren't without merit.

He's had a fairly standard pre-season, but he looks set to start the season as part of a midfield trio and he now has to take that chance with both hands. If he can add the odd goal and assist to his game or show what kind of midfielder he is going to be, that would be huge for the Alex in building a coherent middle of the pitch.

Bench: Jack Powell(1 year extension, expires summer 2026)

Powell's role looks to be that of first man up in the case of injuries to any of the above 3. Of which there surely will be 1 or 2. It's good to see him get a proper pre-season, something he didn't have 12 months ago as he rehabbed his injury. But what role he stands to play this season is murky. I said it at the end of last season, but the decision in January to extend his deal looks like a mistake. I hope in 12 months time, he will have proved me wrong.

Starter/Bench: Tommi O'Reilly(Season long loan deal, expires summer 2026)

I had been hoping they would add a technical midfielder and O'Reilly is who they signed. He might be viewed as more of an attacking midfielder, but for now I'll put him here. He's not had much chance to show what he can do, but I've liked the flashes I've seen. I just wonder about him ability to affect things in the tight nitty gritty games where space is at a premium. I also wonder what position he'll play. I listed him as a CM, but he could well line up further forward.

U21s/Fringe: Luca Moore(1 year contract, expires summer 2026)

Moore might have only signed a 1 year deal, but he's been a standout in the pre-season games thus far. His 2 goals against Newcastle and his thunderbolt against Birmingham have caught the eye and whilst I don't think he's likely to be around the first team squad much during the season, he is one that perhaps warrants a few more looks. And should he develop quickly, he could push himself into the first team plans quicker than we might think.

U21s/Fringe: Oliver Armstrong(1 year contract, expires summer 2026)

It's nice to see him get an opportunity to move into the pros. The question is, what happens to him this season? Does he go out on loan again? Does he stick around as depth for the U21s/EFL Trophy games? With only a 1 year contract signed, it doesn't feel like there is a lot of opportunity for him to impress.

U21s/Fringe: Owen Taylor(2 years left on contract, expires summer 2027)

I'll include him here, even though I don't expect him to play all that much, aside from some EFL Trophy appearances. He drew attention by being given a pro deal despite only being a 1st year scholar last season. Will he feature in the league as he enters his 2nd and final scholarship season? Given he's not played a minute in the pre-season friendlies, I'd imagine not.

Position Assessment

This group have the numbers. But every one of them has question marks. Ok, Moore and Armstrong are first year pros and Taylor is still a scholar, so count them out. But if the manager relies on Thomas to stay fit, alienates Sanders and Powell and doesn't find a way to help Lunt kick on whilst also finding a role for O'Reilly, then the depth will thin out quickly. This group could be fine. Or we could be screaming for an addition in January.

Attackers - Attacking Midfielders/Wingers

Starter: Jack Lankester(2 years left on deal, expires summer 2027)

If there is one player the Alex simply have to keep fit, it's Lankester. He showed that when he played last season, he was one of the best and most productive players not just in the Alex's squad, but in the entire league. His goals + assists per 90 were the 2nd highest behind only Nathan Lowe.

If the Alex get 35 games out of him in 25-26, I'm confident they'll be competitive. As not only does he deliver himself, but he draws the best out of those around him. But if he suffers with more freak injuries like a broken foot or torn meniscus, then I don't see anything more than a mid-table season being achievable.

He is the key to their hopes in 25-26 and it's been a long time since I've felt they've been that reliant on 1 player to carry them. One final stat from last season: 1.56 PPG in the 16 league games he started, a 72 point pace. In the 30 he didn't start, it was 1.23, a 56 point pace. He's vital to their hopes, but the lack of a pre-season is concerning, as is how many games he'll miss to start the season.

Starter: Matus Holicek(2 years left on contract, expires summer 2027)

Holicek did take steps forward last season, even if his overall performances left you a touch underwhelmed. But let's not forget he scored 1 goal and created 5 in only his 2nd full season as a pro. Given he was moved from pillar to post and never really played in one position, I suppose you'd take that.

2025-26 is his time to really shine and become a consistent game changer on a weekly basis. But as others have proven, that next step is the hardest one to take. However, if he can double his production from last season, the Alex will have an asset on their hands.

The worry now is the unspecified groin/pelvic issue he brought over from last season that has seen him miss most of the pre-season. If that lingers and hampers his ability to perform, it will become a real concern.

Starter/Bench: Callum Agius(1 year left on contract, expires summer 2026)

Agius is part of a group of players who they really need to fire in 25-26. He got his feet wet in 24-25 with 14 league appearances, but only one of those were starts, which is criminal given the lack of firepower and creativity they had for most of the season. I'm not saying he'd have made a difference, but they could have easily gotten him 10 starts and 30 appearances had they wanted to.

Now in his 2nd full season, he needs to kick on, find a position that suits him and get regular minutes. It's not now or never given he only turns 20 this season, so he has time on his side. But if he can mix in starts and sub appearances and give them a more regular threat, then that'll be massive for their hopes of bouncing back into the play-offs or maybe even going 1 better.

U21s/Fringe: Fin Roberts(1 year left on deal, expires summer 2026)

Whilst Roberts is still young, given he doesn't turn 20 until next April, it's been a slightly disappointing pre-season for him. After not getting many chances last season, when he has been given games in this summer's friendlies, he's not stood out unfortunately. This means he'll be bumped down the depth chart and will struggle to get a look in, especially once Lankester and Holicek return to fitness.

Out for the Season: Joel Tabiner(1 year left on contract, expires summer 2026)

Brutal, brutal, brutal. This was supposed to be his year. The year he broke out and well and truly and stamped his name on the scoresheet on a regular basis. But one unfortunate tangle with a Newcastle Town defender in their 2nd pre-season friendly and his season is over before it even begins.

With the club confirming he'll go under the knife to fix the ACL damage in his right knee, he's out for the 25-26 season. I honestly can't remember the last time they had a player pick up a season ending injury before a competitive game had even been kicked. But such is life and the Alex have to build an attack without him.

Positional Assessment

Injury concern, injury concern, unproven, unproven, out for the season. Had you asked me a month ago how I felt about this group, I'd have been very bullish. Now, I'm concerned. Tabiner's injury is a massive blow, let's not hide it. Yes, he'd struggled for consistency last season, but I had real hopes for him this season. Add in Lankester's unknown return and Holicek's lingering injury and suddenly this group looks thinner than it did a few weeks ago. And because of that, it could affect their chances at promotion.

Attackers – Strikers

Starter: Josh March(2 year deal, expires summer 2027)

It's hard to know what to expect from March. I know we can be blown away by the goals in pre-season, but only 4 have come from open play and only 1 non-penalty goal has come against full time pros.

The fact is, he's only had one good season in the EFL so far and that was last season where he scored just 9 goals for Harrogate. We can be bullish on him after a strong pre-season, but the proof will be from Saturday onwards.

The good news is that he is a very different profile of striker to Bogle and Hemmings, a player that will run in behind and press from the front. If he could crack double figures for the first time in his career, that would be huge for the club.

Starter/Bench: Emre Tezgel(Season long loan deal signed, expires summer 2026)

Do they use him as an out and out striker, or in a deeper role? Fresh off signing a 2 year deal with Stoke, they have sent him down the road to further his development. As with any signing, I'm not going to get too carried away, but on paper he looks to give the Alex a really interesting option upfront and if he can add goals in a similar fashion to how Nathan Lowe did for Walsall last season, they will be on to a winner. Let's just hope there isn't a recall clause in his deal....

Bench: Louis Moult(1 year deal signed, expires summer 2026)

Kane Hemmings is a month older than Louis Moult. He's scored 41 more career goals. People seem weirdly excited about a player that, on paper, isn't as good as Hemmings is/was. Now, maybe Moult has more in the tank and will be useful as an occasional starter or as a mostly bench option type to cause issues in the last 10-20 minutes of games either in support of March or as his replacement.

But I'm just a bit skeptical. Moult of 4-5 years ago? Yes please. Moult of today? Meh, let's wait and see.

Starter/Bench: Omar Bogle(1 year left on deal, expires summer 2026)

At the time of writing, the Alex are maintaining that Bogle is missing through an unspecified illness. This illness wasn't present just before pre-season started and it hasn't stopped him recording or releasing new music. So it seems a very particular one.

The reality we all know is that he has downed tools and is now seeking an undetermined outcome. Is he happy to play out the next 12 months doing other activities whilst trying to get his salary from the Alex. Is he waiting for another club to come in for him? Is he wanting a contract termination?

It's a bit of a mess and whilst we are quick to praise the recruitment team for the undoubted success stories, them glossing over a long line of character issues with Bogle when he signed is something that they definitely need to address, as it felt like this was always a possibility from the day he signed.

Starter/Bench: Shilow Tracey(1 year deal, expires summer 2026)

I don't get the hype around him coming back, I really don't. He scored 1 goal in the 14 starts before his leg break against Fleetwood in March. He scored 6 goals last season, in 33 appearances. That's 1 in 5. I get he brings more than goals and assists, but actually appearing on the scoresheet more often is important too.

My expectations about what he can do upon his return will be low until he proves he deserves more faith. And when we even see him again is up in the air.

Bench/Fringe: Adrien Thibaut(1 year left on extended deal signed, expires summer 2026)

What an unfortunate pre-season Thibaut has had. A hamstring injury has ruled him out of all the friendlies bar the last one and that has, unfortunately, pushed him down the depth chart. Playing in every game and scoring the odd goal might have seen him as a first choice off the bench in the opening weeks, but now, he might struggle to crack the matchday squad. Which is a shame, but maybe a sign of how it's been heading for him in the last 6 months or so.

Can he salvage his EFL career and prove he has something to offer at this level?

U21s/Fringe: Jordan Hodkin(1 year deal signed, expires summer 2026)

I do like Hodkin, but is there any evidence at this stage that he'll be any different to Saunders, Reilly or Evans? Not at this stage, no. However, I'm optimistic that he can force his way into the management's plans eventually. Hopefully like Dancey, Moore and Armstrong, he'll get some opportunities to impress in the cups and U21s, then spend a month or two out on loan in tier 7 perhaps.

Positional Assessment

I've liked what I've seen from March in the pre-season so far and I'm really optimistic that Tezgel will be a Nathan Lowe esq impact player, for the first 5 months at least. Between those 2 alone could be 20 goals. As I mentioned though, I'm fairly skeptical on Moult until I see evidence he isn't another Hemmings and the situation with Bogle is an utter shambles. So it's a real up and down group.

Overall Conclusion

It's really hard to get a read on this group. They could be fantastic, they could be a disaster. They could be anything in between. On the downside, the top end quality Demetriou and Lankester aside is questionable. The youngsters might fail to develop and the loanees might not improve the squad.

On the other hand, they have a number of high upside players. In Holicek, Agius and Tezgel, they have 3 players who could be leading performers every week in the right circumstances. Billington, Lunt and yes, even Williams, could all also take a step. This is a group that could finish in the bottom 7 or the top 7. Or anything in between. Any guess at a prediction would be just that: a complete guess.