Crewe Alex v Doncaster Rovers 25-26 FA Cup Preview - Them Again?!

The magic of the FA Cup, am I right? What more can you ask for than Crewe v Doncaster Rovers, again, for the 14th time since 2020. Yep, 10 league, 1 EFL Trophy and 2 play-off meetings and now their first game in the FA cup since 1970. Lovely stuff. I expect a bumper crowd and roaring atmosphere for this one. This is my preview of the game against Doncaster:

In trouble

No, I'm not talking about the Alex for a change. Doncaster's form for the last 2 months has been dire. Since beating Port Vale in early September, they have gone 0-2-5 in their last 7 league games. They did show some signs of improvement with a solid draw at Reading last week, but they are still 7 games without a win in the league, with only a solitary victory in the Vertu Trophy in that time span. They will be a group potentially lacking in confidence when they visit Gresty Road.

Same Again

After their title winning season, Donny went with continuity in the playing squad this season, only making a few alterations. A look at their team last week shows the same names that carried them to promotion last season in Sharp, Molyneux, Close, Bailey, Broadbent and Maxwell. This is the same core of players the Alex deservedly drew twice against last season. That has to give the Alex a little bit of confidence, as they will be very familiar with how the Yorkshire side are likely to set up and who the dangermen are.

Poor v Good

The Alex and Doncaster have had contrasting FA Cup fortunes in the last 20 or so years. The Alex since 2004 have gone out at the first hurdle 13 times, often in humiliating fashion. Defeats to non-league sides in Tamworth, York and Dag & Red sum up their fortunes in this competition over the last 2 decades.

Donny on the other hand have only exited 4 times at the initial point of entry. They are used to getting through to the middle stages and haven't lost a first round tie on the road since 2016. They will come looking to protect that decent record.

Free Hit

The Alex should be looking to use this game as a free hit. I don't want Lee Bell to experiment with a new formation or try something radically different. This is a competition I want them to do well in.

But, the pressure should be off them. They shouldn't lose heavily or play awfully, but the expectation on them from recently should be removed. Go and express yourselves, go and enjoy yourselves, if possible. If they do that, then maybe they might spring a surprise.

Underdogs

Which brings me on to my last point. The Alex do well when they are the underdogs usually. In most of the games where they've been counted out this season, they've picked up surprise results. In the games where they were the favourite, they struggled. So, hopefully they can tap into that feeling yet again to pull off a result here.

Ref Watch

Neil Hair

Oh good, the dire ref who somehow gave Salford their penalty on the opening day. I look forward to seeing what nonsense he comes up with in this game.

2025/26 Record: 12 games(4 League One, 4 League Two, 3 National League, 1 EFL Cup), 40 yellows

Last Game: Blackpool 1-1 Wycombe, EFL League One, 18th October 2025, 3 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 5-1-3, 17 yellows

Injuries/Absences

Crewe Alex

It's looking pretty similar for the Alex injury wise. I keep waiting for them to start piling up, but for now touch wood things seem relatively clear, with the same 4 of Tabiner, Tracey, March and Powell being on the treatment table at the moment.

Doncaster

Donny are looking pretty clear health wise, with only Jamie Sterry missing. Everyone else, including the recently returned to fitness Tom Nixon and Harry Clifton are available.

Team

I said I didn't want to see Bell do anything drastically different, but at the same time, I think this is the game to protect his certain players, whilst giving long awaited run outs to certain fringe players. Tom Booth continues in goal although should Sam Waller start, I wouldn't complain. At the back I want to see changes, which after 5 goals conceded in their last 2 games shouldn't be seen as a surprise.

Jay Mingi is apparently lacking fitness. Well, the only way he's going to get that is by playing. So he starts at RB. I'm making the bold call to drop Demetriou, because yet again, he's 36 in March and playing every week is pushing him closer to another break down, which given he's the only reliable CB they have, is a huge risk. Billington shifts inside and partners Connolly, which is less than ideal, but again, think long term. Charlie Finney once again starts at LB, because yet again they need to protect Hutchinson. I'd rather Hutchinson be available in 2026 and suffer through Finney now than in March-May when they'll need their best players available.

In midfield, Thomas drops to the bench to also protect him. Lunt drops back into midfield alongside Sanders and Lankester comes in to the number 10 role. On the left, Dion Rankine also needs game time, so he starts there. O'Reilly continues on the right and Tezgel continues up front.

On the bench with 9 spots, there will be ample room for the rest of the fit senior players. Could we even see the long awaiting squad return of Omar Bogle. I'd go as far as to say if he doesn't appear here, he isn't appearing at all going forward.

Score Prediction

I can't call this one. If the Alex perform how they did against Grimsby, then they can definitely spring a surprise, especially against an out of form Donny side who haven't won in 7 in the league.

But Donny won the L2 title last season and are in L1 for a reason. They have quality players of their own and on paper, they should beat the Alex. All those conflicting reasons make me think this is heading for a draw and then fun of the new rules which mean it heads straight to penalties. I'll go optimistic and say the Alex will squeak through via that route.

Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Doncaster Rovers(4-3 on penalties)