Morecambe v Crewe Alex 23/24 Preview - Delayed

For the 2nd year in a row, the Alex have hilariously had a game delayed by months from it's originally schedule time. Last season it was Grimsby away, which moved from early September to late April for various reasons. This season it's Morecambe away, a game which was supposed to take place in November but instead is happening in April also. Ok, the delay isn't quite as long as the Grimsby one was, but it's still taken a long time to get it played. Here is my 2nd preview of the Alex's final trip north:

Struggle Bus

What more can be said about the Alex's struggles that hasn't been said already? They look like they couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag right now, let alone pick up a by now desperately needed win. I don't question their effort, just their application, which is totally lacking. Will they get any much needed players back from injury? They better hope so, otherwise the best they can expect from this game is another drab draw.

Goals

The lack of goals is becoming chronic. And I'm sorry, don't tell me their attacking issues only started recently. They are 12th in xG, 18th in shots on target per game, 18th in touches in the opposition penalty area and 11th in accurate passes. This has been a season long issue. The wingers are in dreadful form, they have only 1 fit attacking midfielder in Holicek and he's still learning as a first year pro and their 1 fit striker looks increasingly isolated.

How they go about scoring in this game, god only knows. As they look like they couldn't score in a brothel right now.

Home-Away Flip

Watching Morecambe's home and away form switch mid-season has been genuinely fascinating to watch. They started the season 5-4-1 at home and only 3-0-6 on the road. But now that's totally flipped on it's head. In their last 9 away games, they've gone 5-2-2, including wins over Doncaster, MK Dons, Crawley, Tranmere and Crewe.

At home though, it's been more of a struggle, with only 2 wins from their last 13 and only 10 points from a possible 39. They seem to be finding it hard on home soil and that is something the Alex need to take advantage of.

Up and Down

Morecambe have been a very boom or bust team this season. They've won games 5-0 and lost them 6-0. Even recently they've been wildly inconsistent. 2 straight wins to open March, then 4 straight losses, then 2 straight defeats, then a loss. Where the Alex should take hope is that the Shrimps defence has been poor. They have kept just 7 clean sheets and have let in 73 goals this season. They've let in 10 in their last 4 home games. Whilst the Alex attack is struggling currently, this could be the game to get them back on the horse.

Closing In

The chasing pack are closing in. Wimbledon are 5 points away with a superior goal difference. Walsall are the same distance away and have a game in hand. Doncaster somehow are suddenly a threat. If results go against them on Tuesday, then they could be in real danger of slipping out of the top 7 next Saturday against Grimsby.

Now, the chasing pack have tough fixtures, with Crawley travelling to Wrexham and Walsall playing Doncaster. So there is every chance the Alex could draw tomorrow and actually improve their position. But they cannot wait and hope that happens. They need to take matters into their own hands.

But...

It seems like a million miles away, but if they can win this game, then suddenly things look a lot better. Even if results go against them, a win puts them on 70 points. They would be 8 points away from Wimbledon, who only have 3 games left. Morecambe would be 10 points away and they have 3 to play, so wouldn't be able to catch the Alex. They would be at worst 5 points away from Walsall, who would have 12 points left to play for. If Doncaster win, they would be 9 points away with 4 games left.

A win in this game changes things from very nervous to much more calm with Grimsby next up. It's still up to them how things go from here.

Ref Watch

Scott Oldham

This will be Oldham's 3rd Alex game this season, after taking the cup games against Derby and Sunderland. He's also done this fixture before, the game where the Alex won 1-0 back in November 2017, with Perry Ng netting a late winner. Hopefully that's a good omen for this game.

2023/24 Record: 34 games(1 Championship, 16 League One, 11 League Two, 2 League Cup, 2 League Trophy, 2 FA Cup), 103 yellows, 6 reds

Last Game: Charlton 0-0 Stevenage, League One, 1st April 2024, 3 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 4-2-4, 9 yellows

Injuries/Absences

Morecambe

Morecambe will be missing a few players in Brandon Barker, Donald Love and Jacob Davenport, but for the most part their players seem in pretty good health.

Crewe Alex

The Alex will be praying they get back even 1-2 of their absent players. Whilst we can rule out Powell, Lunt and Offord, the other 7 might be more touch and go. Bell seemed optimistic some might return this week, but we'll see if they make this game or not.

Team

Assuming none of the injured players are able to return for this game, it's hard to know what to do team wise except same again. Even if any of them return, are they in a condition to go straight back into the starting XI? Should Thomas or Turns are fit to play, they start. If CBR, Kirk or Tabiner return, they go on the bench.

But for now, I'll predict them to name the same starting XI as at Accrington.

Score Prediction

My optimism rests entirely on how many of the injured players they can get back. Even 2 or 3 of them could make a huge difference, not just in terms of morale. But if they don't get any returning, then I think it'll be another long evening.

Morecambe 2-0 Crewe Alex