Morecambe v Crewe Alex 24/25 Preview - After the Lord Mayor's Show

I have a soft spot for Morecambe. A small team from the North West who plays in red punching above their weight, there are a lot of similarities to the Alex, just a step or two smaller. I also enjoy my visits there, probably helped by the Alex's fantastic record at their new stadium. But this game has a very interesting dynamic going into it. So, let's get into my preview:

After the Lord Mayor's Show

From Chelsea to Crewe. Has there been a bigger downgrade? I jest of course, but how Morecambe lift themselves for this game after last week's FA Cup escapades will be interesting to see. Fresh off a trip to Stamford Bridge and a game against a squad worth hundreds of millions of pounds in front of 39k fans, to playing at home against Jack Lankester, Shilow Tracey and Max Sanders in front 3.5k. Can they use last week as a springboard to better fortunes, or will they fall flat?

Unsurprising

This is going to sound very harsh, but don't let the noisy protests about Morecambe's ownership situation take away from the fact that the foot of L2 is where they've spent most of their EFL lives. After an initially strong first few seasons following promotion in 2007, between 2010 and 2020, they managed just one top half finish and averaged finishing position of 18th.

Yes, maybe Derek Adams would have them higher with a better budget. But please don't think they are down near the bottom simply because of a poor owner. It's not far from where they've been for most of their EFL lives.

Unbeaten

I'm going to keep mentioning it until it's no longer a stat. But the Alex's record at Morecambe's new stadium is unbelievable. To have not lost in all 8 trips to this ground, stretching back 14 years, which is just ridiculous. What's more, they've gone and picked up results at their absolute worst as well. The come from behind win for Steve Davis' first win as Crewe manager in 2011-12. A 0-0 draw in 16-17, with Davis sacked the following week. Winning 1-0 in 17-18 after a run of 10 defeats from 12 heading into the game.

Ending a 5 game losing away run in 18-19 to get a point. Their first away win of the 21-22 season, at the 12th time of asking. Last season's 1-0 win, off the back 1-3-4 run heading into the game. Good, bad or indifferent, the Alex just seem to always find a performance and result at this ground. Let's hope that run continues.

Home struggles

Another factor that might work in the Alex's favour is the fact that Morecambe are really struggling at home this season. Thankfully though, the Alex won't suffer the humiliation of being the first team to lose to Morecambe in their stadium this season. That dubious honour goes to Tranmere. But that win aside, the Shrimps have found it very tough to get home results this season.

They are 1-3-7 and have scored just 10 goals at home in the league this season, which is a dreadful record and mostly why they are down near the bottom and not closer to mid-table. If the Alex want promotion, then beating a struggler needs to be a top priority.

Why Fixture Computer, why?

For all my praise of the trip to Morecambe and the Alex's good run there, why on earth does the fixture computer always put this tie in the dead of winter? Since their Easter trip to the old ground in 2010, their visits since then have been: November, November, January, November, January, February and December. Last season's April trip doesn't count as it was originally scheduled for November, but was moved twice for International call ups and then a waterlogged pitch. Every year, they put this tie in the colder months. Is it too much to ask for an August-September or March-May visit once in a while?

No Excuses

I fell into the same trap as other Crewe fans last week in excusing the poor performance and draw against Swindon due to the hour long delay, terrible conditions and 2 injury subs. But this time out, there can and should be no excuses. They have to find a few more away wins from somewhere and after their failure to beat both Swindon and Carlisle, this is one of their remaining chances to snag 3 points against a struggling team on the road. If they don't take it, when will they pick up a win?

Ref Watch

Paul Howard

Howard has only taken a few Alex games and it's safe to say his record isn't good, with the high/low point being the 3-3 draw with Accrington last season when he sent Luke Offord off, but that also being the only game where they haven't lost.

2024/25 Record: 15 games(8 League One, 3 League Two, 1 National League, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup

Last Game: Stockport County 1-1 Birmingham City, 1st January 2025, EFL League One, 3 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 0-1-3, 6 yellows, 1 reds

Injuries/Absences

Morecambe

The Shrimps look in pretty decent nick health wise. Goalkeeper Stuart Moore and George Ray were their only notable missing players last week against Chelsea.

Crewe Alex

Whilst Kane Hemmings is back in training, he won't feature. Nor will Conor Thomas, James Connolly or James Robinson. The only doubts now are over Matus Holicek, who suffered a bash to his knee against Swindon and Joel Tabiner, who was ill, hence his withdrawal. Kenny Lunt says both players are fit, but we've heard that before.

Team

I won't get into the same Billington arguments that were had after the team news was announced against Swindon. I'll just have to accept that this debate has sailed. So in picking the team for this game, we're going to see Williams, Demetriou and Knight-Lebel as the back 3. Of course Conway and Cooney stick at wing back.

In midfield and upfront you have choices to make depending on the condition of Holicek and Tabiner. My gut says Holicek won't be fully ready to start but Tabiner will, so I suspect that's who will start alongside Sanders and Powell. Upfront, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bell mix things up by recalling Tracey and dropping Bogle potentially, although I would back both him and Lankester for another game and if they continue to struggle as a pair, then break it up.

Score Prediction

This is a game they need to win if they want to get into the top 3. It's that simple. It won't be easy, games against Morecambe never are. They're close and often decided late on. But this is when the Alex need to step up and be counted. There is no reason they can't win, they're the better team. So, go and get it done.

Morecambe 0-1 Crewe Alex