Torquay United vs Crewe Alexandra
Posted: 10 Jan 2011, 18:32
Plainmoor
Tuesday 11th January 2011
KO: 7:45pm
After Saturdays delightful performance and result against Carlisle, we move back to the league and a tough game against Crewe. Crewe are one of the bigger sides in this league, but they haven't done much in their time down here. A rather slow start to the season didn't give the Railwaymen any headlines, but recently, they have crept up the table and now they find themselves sat in a respectable 5th place. This game is going to be very tough for our lads, after a gruelling 90 minutes on Saturday. However, Crewe were in action on Saturday themselves, and they have a long journey to contend with, which goes in our favour.
GULLS NEWS.
I believe that we have the same available players that we had on Saturday. Martin Gritton has since returned to Chesterfield though.
LAST 5 SEASONS.
2005/06 - Championship - 22nd place - 42 points
2006/07 - League One - 13th place - 60 points
2007/08 - League One - 20th place - 50 points
2008/09 - League One - 22nd place - 46 points
2009/10 - League Two - 18th place - 55 points
As you can see, the club has been in a decline for the past 5 seasons. The fall from the Championship to League 2 is quite a big one, but Crewe are among the big teams in the basement division. I think they have built a squad good enough for a top 10 finish in League 2, and with Dario Gradi still in charge, I can see him bringing some success to the club again soon.
HEAD TO HEAD.
Crewe wins - 16
Torquay wins - 21
Draws - 16
As you can see, we have a slightly better record in the past games against Crewe. The two sides have never met in a cup competition, either. Last season was the first time the two clubs have met for a long time, 16 seasons to be exact. Last seasons meetings both finished 1-1, with Crewe scoring a late equaliser at Gresty Road, and another late equaliser at Plainmoor. We picked up a decent point at Gresty Road this season, bottling a 3-1 lead to eventually draw 3-3.
FORM (LAST 6 GAMES)
LWDWWW
Crewe come into this game at Plainmoor in good form, with 4 wins out of 6, including 3 on the trot. A defeat against Rotherham was followed up by 4 points from two away games, a win at Morecambe and a 3-3 draw at Stockport. Three wins in a row have come against Northampton, Shrewsbury and Wycombe, last Saturday. In those three games, they have conceded, which isn't bad going, really.
PROBABLE LINE UP.
This is the side that beat Wycombe 3-0 at Gresty Road.
Rhys Taylor
Matt Tootle
David Artell
Patrick Ada
Danny Blanchett
Lee Bell
Luke Murphy
Ashley Westwood
Byron Moore
Clayton Donaldson
Shaun Miller
Subs: Shelley, Powell, Grant, Zola, Phillips, Dugdale, Sarcevic
PLAYERS TO WATCH.
For me, there are a few players to be aware of in that team. Donaldson and Miller seem to be in good form, as they scored the goals to beat Wycombe. Ashley Westwood is a good young prospect, the latest one to come through the Crewe academy. Lee Bell is full of experience at this level, which is vital for the younger heads in the squad.
PREDICTION.
Hmm..
1-1.
Tuesday 11th January 2011
KO: 7:45pm
After Saturdays delightful performance and result against Carlisle, we move back to the league and a tough game against Crewe. Crewe are one of the bigger sides in this league, but they haven't done much in their time down here. A rather slow start to the season didn't give the Railwaymen any headlines, but recently, they have crept up the table and now they find themselves sat in a respectable 5th place. This game is going to be very tough for our lads, after a gruelling 90 minutes on Saturday. However, Crewe were in action on Saturday themselves, and they have a long journey to contend with, which goes in our favour.
GULLS NEWS.
I believe that we have the same available players that we had on Saturday. Martin Gritton has since returned to Chesterfield though.
LAST 5 SEASONS.
2005/06 - Championship - 22nd place - 42 points
2006/07 - League One - 13th place - 60 points
2007/08 - League One - 20th place - 50 points
2008/09 - League One - 22nd place - 46 points
2009/10 - League Two - 18th place - 55 points
As you can see, the club has been in a decline for the past 5 seasons. The fall from the Championship to League 2 is quite a big one, but Crewe are among the big teams in the basement division. I think they have built a squad good enough for a top 10 finish in League 2, and with Dario Gradi still in charge, I can see him bringing some success to the club again soon.
HEAD TO HEAD.
Crewe wins - 16
Torquay wins - 21
Draws - 16
As you can see, we have a slightly better record in the past games against Crewe. The two sides have never met in a cup competition, either. Last season was the first time the two clubs have met for a long time, 16 seasons to be exact. Last seasons meetings both finished 1-1, with Crewe scoring a late equaliser at Gresty Road, and another late equaliser at Plainmoor. We picked up a decent point at Gresty Road this season, bottling a 3-1 lead to eventually draw 3-3.
FORM (LAST 6 GAMES)
LWDWWW
Crewe come into this game at Plainmoor in good form, with 4 wins out of 6, including 3 on the trot. A defeat against Rotherham was followed up by 4 points from two away games, a win at Morecambe and a 3-3 draw at Stockport. Three wins in a row have come against Northampton, Shrewsbury and Wycombe, last Saturday. In those three games, they have conceded, which isn't bad going, really.
PROBABLE LINE UP.
This is the side that beat Wycombe 3-0 at Gresty Road.
Rhys Taylor
Matt Tootle
David Artell
Patrick Ada
Danny Blanchett
Lee Bell
Luke Murphy
Ashley Westwood
Byron Moore
Clayton Donaldson
Shaun Miller
Subs: Shelley, Powell, Grant, Zola, Phillips, Dugdale, Sarcevic
PLAYERS TO WATCH.
For me, there are a few players to be aware of in that team. Donaldson and Miller seem to be in good form, as they scored the goals to beat Wycombe. Ashley Westwood is a good young prospect, the latest one to come through the Crewe academy. Lee Bell is full of experience at this level, which is vital for the younger heads in the squad.
PREDICTION.
Hmm..
1-1.