Crewe Alex v Swindon Town 24/25 Preview - Destructible Force meets moveable object

I can't work out whether another home game is the best thing for this team right now, or the worst. Fresh off their heaviest home defeat since March 2021, they are now approaching desperation mode as they look for their first point(s) of the season and end their dreadful run of form both at home and in general against a familiar foe in Swindon. Here is my preview of the game.

Bad v Bad

The Alex are bottom with 0 points from their first 2 games. They've conceded 6 and scored 0. Swindon on the other hand have 1 point from 2, with 1 goal scored and 5 conceded. Both sides are coming off terrible home results last week, with the Alex losing 5-0 and Swindon 4-0. Both sides take poor form into this game, with low confidence and a sense that crisis could be just around the corner. It'll be a huge boost for either team if they scrape out a win.

Live on Sky Sports

So we come to our first moved for TV game of the season. Thankfully though, this change isn't too bad for 3 reasons. One, it's a home game, so the disruption for Alex fans is minimal. Two, it's only been moved from 3pm to 12:30pm on a Saturday, not shifted to 8pm on a Thursday or Monday like other games have been subjected to. And three, it's the only one of the Alex's games moved in the first 2 months of the season. Thank goodness for small mercies.

Tall Order

Swindon have always been known for having small, young and technically strong teams in the past. Well, this season they look to be a very different side. Take a look at some of the new signings to know the direction they're going in. Tunmise Sobowale(6ft 3in), Grant Hall(6ft 4in), Will Wright(6ft 3in), Ryan Delaney(6ft 5in), Harry Smith(6ft 5in) give their side a huge height advantage over most of their opponents.

In the air

And that brings me onto another point about Swindon, which is how they are likely to play. Usually, they play fast attacking football which sees them score lots and concede lots. But I suspect we'll see a more direct Robins side in this game, one that focuses on set pieces, the long ball and tough physical football. The Alex will have to be ready for and stand up to that test.

Back to Basics

The Alex have no identity right now. They can't play passing football, they can't play long ball football. They aren't good at either end of the pitch. So, they need to get back to doing the basics right and the easiest end of the pitch to get that right with it in defence. They need to cut down on the mistakes at the back, ensure they mark at set pieces and clear when necessary.

The focus should on keeping a clean sheet and once that base has been established, then they can start to develop their attacking game. I'd take a 0-0 more than a 3-3 right now.

Ref Watch

Alex Chilowicz

It's rare to get a new ref, but that's what the Alex have in the American. He spent several years working in the MLS but moved to the UK late last year. He's never taken charge of an Alex game before, but has worked here for the last 6 months. He's now entering his first full season in the EFL.

2024/25 Record: 2 games(1 League One, 1 League Cup), 7 yellows, 1 red

Last Game: Charlton Athletic 0-1 Birmingham City, League Cup Round 1, 13th August 2024, 4 yellows, 1 red

Crewe Alex Record: N/A

Injuries/Absences

Crewe Alex

Lee Bell confirmed yesterday that only Tom Booth and Omar Bogle remain unavailable for selection. So that suggests that Chris Long should be in the squad and maybe Charlie Finney as well.

Swindon Town

Swindon look to be without midfielder Saidou Khan and former Alex wide player Tariq Uwakwe. They will be sweating on the fitness of Sean McGurk and defender Ryan Delaney as well.

Team

I'll keep saying it until it happens, play 3 at the back. All this nonsense about it only being an away formation is silly. I'm also doing this due to Swindon's height advantage. Marschall obviously stays in goal. At the back, I'm putting Connolly at LCB and Knight-Lebel at RCB. At RWB, I'm starting Billington, for his height and the fact he isn't Cooney. On the left Conway starts.

In midfield, Breckin starts alongside Sanders, even if I expect Thomas to start again. Then I'm putting Lankester and Holicek behind Hemmings once again, but in inside midfield roles, not as wingers. That's 5 changes, which I think is about right. Ultimately though, I don't really care who starts or in what formation. I just want to see a reaction.

Score Prediction

God knows. I predicted a narrow defeat last week, so I got the result right, even if the scoreline was way off. What can we expect from this one? A terrible game of football is my guess. 2 sides who are low on confidence and desperate for a positive result to get their season going. It'll be scrappy, low quality stuff and I'm going optimistic so say they'll get a draw.

Crewe Alex 1-1 Swindon Town