Crewe Alex v Harrogate Town 23/24 Preview - Voodoo

There have been a few surprises this season in League. The likes of Doncaster, Salford and Bradford flopping. Jake Young and Will Evans being amongst the leading scorers. But perhaps the biggest surprise, aside from the Alex of course, is Harrogate. Like the Alex they were almost universally expected to struggle at the bottom end of L2, with nobody putting them outside the bottom 6-8 teams. But here they are with less than a third of the season to go sat 8th. It's been a remarkable story for them and now they bring their shock promotion contenders to Gresty Road. Here is my preview of the game:

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I'm sure I like everyone else did a double take when I saw what Harrogate's result was at Mansfield on Tuesday. Losing 9-2 is hard to put into words. But what concerns me is, that looks like a fluke in terms of their defensive work. Before that result, they had conceded 37 goals in 30 games, including 16 on the road in 15 games. Normally they are defensively stout.

They will be looking for a massive reaction in this game. I also don't anticipate them giving up the number of chances they did against Mansfield. Any Alex fan who turns up expecting a large home win will probably be in for disappointment.

Flawed

That being said, if the Alex are over performing their stats, then Harrogate are doing so to extremes. Almost every week, they seem to get results despite getting their teeth kicked in stat wise. Take their win at home to Colchester last week. They gave up 26 shots and a 2.32 xG against. Somehow they won 1-0. Against Stockport a week earlier, it was a similar story. 20 shots conceded, a 2.19 xG against, yet they drew 1-1.

It feels like they are pulling results out of their asses and if the Alex can show the same clinical edge they've shown throughout the season, they can emerge with another win.

Only as good as your next game

The old cliche is a valid one. The Stockport game is gone. It was enjoyable, but nothing is won yet. And it will count for little if they can't follow that up with another result here. They've found their home performances harder to replicate than they have on the road of late. Harrogate carry a threat in the likes of Jack Muldoon, Abraham Odoh and George Thomson. They have, as I mentioned, a generally solid defence.

We need to see the Alex look to match the levels we saw at Edgeley Park. Do that and they will get the win.

The Rightful King

This might not have a bearing on the game, but I can't not talk about the utter injustice it was that Lee Bell didn't win the manager of the month award for January and Simon Weaver did. Harrogate had a good month no doubt, but their wins came against sides currently in the bottom 5.

How the hell does that surpass Bell's achievement to beat Mansfield and Barrow on the road and end their unbeaten home records? Alongside 2 more sides who are both above the sides Harrogate won. I hope Weaver brings the award with him to this game and if Bell wins on the day, leave it on the desk of the rightful winner.

Ref Watch

David Rock

Oh joy. Like a few other refs, Rock will always have an enduring legacy amongst Alex fans for his shocking performance in the game at Gresty Road against Cambridge back in 19-20. That being said, he did take charge of the game with Walsall last season without incident. So here's hoping this game is more like that.

2023/24 Stats: 26 games(10 League One, 10 League Two, 1 League Cup, 3 EFL Trophy, 2 FA Cup), 99 yellows, 6 reds

Last Game: Charlton Athletic 1-1 Lincoln City, League One, 13th February 2024, 7 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 0-1-1, 4 yellows, 1 red

Injuries/Absences

Crewe Alex

There was positive news from the treatment room, with Zac Williams and Joel Tabiner soon to be back in training. Conor Thomas' issue doesn't seem to be serious and he, as per Ryan Dicker, should be available for selection in this game, as should Tom Booth. Matus Holicek has a minor problem, so fingers crossed he's available. Chris Long is out 5 weeks, which I'm very "meh" about.

Harrogate Town

Harrogate are looking pretty healthy, but they could be missing a few key players. The first is winger Sam Folarin, who hasn't played since coming off at HT against Doncaster a month ago. Also out is keeper Mark Oxley, who injured himself against the Alex back in November. The final absentee is Rod McDonald, who has endured a stop-start season and hasn't played since November.

Team

Now this is a tricky one. Do the Alex continue with the front 2 they started against Stockport? Personally, I don't think so, as it doesn't leave them with much to bring off the bench. The keeper and back 4 start again, obviously. As do Offord, Austerfield and Holicek in midfield.

Personally, I'm starting Tracey and Rowe either side of CBR upfront and giving Nevitt a break on the bench, then bringing him and Kirk off the bench if/when they need them.

Score Prediction

To hit 60 points at this stage would be huge for them. But they are going to have to work for them against a stingy Harrogate side. I'm going optimistic and say they'll be able to find some attacking joy and get at the away side. It won't be easy or comfortable, but I'm hoping for another clean sheet and win.

Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Harrogate Town