Boro v Crewe build-up: a fan’s view

1) Seeing as we’re the league’s new boys, give us a run down on Crewe Alexandra F.C…

We’re probably best/only known for our “renowned Academy” and producing players such as Dean Ashton, David Platt, Danny Murphy”.

Which is fair enough, until Dario Gradi came along in the 1980’s we were regularly bottom of the pile in Division Four, avoiding relegation to the non-league on a few occasions by the dodgy re-election process. When Dario did arrive in 1983 there was quite a revolution, over the course of around 15 years his focus on youth and slick passing football had taken us from the laughing stock of the football League into the Championship (then Division One). We spent nine seasons there in total, which is quite an achievement for a club our size, until relegation in 2006. Since then things haven’t gone so well and four years on we just about secured 18th in League Two.

2) So, how has your first month of the season gone?

About average. League wise, we started off pretty badly with defeats to Hereford and Cheltenham then a 7-0 win at home to Barnet came out of nowhere to perk everyone up. Whether that’s set the tone for the rest of the season, we’ll have to see, though a 1-1 draw at Lincoln last weekend suggests we probably shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves.Aside from that, we gave a good showing in the Carling Cup. We deservedly beat a full strength Derby side in the first round and were unlucky to lose to Ipswich in extra time in the second round.



3) How do you see your season going from here?

I think we’ll hover around mid-table for the large part of it and hope to find a little bit of late inspiration for a push at the top 7. I don’t think anyone will be too downbeat if we just grab a top half spot after last year.



4) On to Saturday, who are your star players? The ones we should look out for on Saturday?

David Artell has come in from Morecambe in the summer and helped shore up a very leaky defence, he’s your typical leader at the heart of defence. In midfield Ashley Westwood is a bright midfielder from the Academy who had a superb “first season” last year; he seems to have had a quiet start this season but on his day he can be a match winner. Up front Calvin Zola will certainly make his presence known, a big striker who helps bring the attacking play together. Also keep an eye out for a 16 year old by the name of Nick Powell, he’ll probably be on the bench for tomorrow but he’s one with an extremely bright future.

5) And where does it start to fall apart? Any players you’d drive to their next club free of charge?

Right now I’m actually content with the majority of our squad. We got rid of a lot of dead wood in the summer and the players who are left have put a lot of work in over the summer, so hopefully we’ll reap the rewards.

6) Are you looking forward to your first trip to Broadhall Way?

Yep, it’s a new ground for us and not one of those flat-plack concrete eye sores! [Oh dear! It’s gonna be a disappointment – ed] Not expecting an easy game though, it never is with the teams coming up from the Blue Square.

7) What’s your knowledge/views of Stevenage FC? Be honest, we won’t be offended!

Honestly…. it’s limited. Your FA Cup tie with Newcastle in the 90’s is still the first thing that comes to mind. More recently it’s been a matter of watching from afar at you always getting so close to league football in recent years, oh and you turning down our bid for Steve Morison a couple of years ago. You clearly made a mistake there.

8) How do you see Saturday going?

As I say, it’s going to be a tough game for us and I think it’ll be pretty close. Can’t seeing there being more than the odd goal in it (get your money on a 4-0 now!) and as I’m obliged to predict a Crewe win, I’ll say a late 2-1 for ourselves.

Thanks to Dink from Vital Crewe for those answers. Read the Vital Crewe interview with a Boro fan here