Crewe Alexandra Preview

Wigan Athletic

Last Five Games

Wigan Athletic 0 Burnley 0
Ipswich Town 1 Wigan Athletic 3
Wigan Athletic 2 Derby County 0
Stoke City 1 Wigan Athletic 1
Wigan Athletic 1 Walsall 0

Points Possible = 15
Points Taken = 11

Form Player

At the moment the form player in our side has got to be Nathan Ellington. The Duke has been on fire since the signing of his long time friend Jason Roberts to partner him up front and he has managed to get six goals in his last six games and will surely keep the Crewe defence on their toes on Saturday.

Injury & Suspension News

Jimmy Bullard was a doubt for last weeks 1-0 victory over Walsall and he only managed 70 minutes, but the former Peterborough midfielder should be fit enough for a full ninety this weekend.

Jason de Vos was doubtful for the midweek game at Gillingham, he hadn't trained on the Monday after a foot injury, but with the postponement of the Gills clash, the big man should have had sufficient time to recover to keep his place this weekend.

Jason Roberts will start his three match suspension this weekend after he was sent off at Stoke City for violent conduct. Lee McCulloch is likely to replace him. Meanwhile Gary Teale will again miss out after he broke his collar bone in the same game.

Likely Line-Up: Filan, Eaden, Baines, de Vos (c), Jackson, Liddell, Mahon, Jarrett, Bullard, McCulloch, Ellington.

Crewe Alexandra

Last Five Games

Crewe Alexandra 1 Millwall 2
Walsall 1 Crewe Alexandra 1
Bradford City 2 Crewe Alexandra 1
Crewe Alexandra 0 Sheffield United 1
Derby County 0 Crewe Alexandra 0

Points Possible = 15
Points Taken = 2

One-to-Watch

Steve Jones - Nicknamed "Derry Dasher" he defines 'fans favourite', Steve Jones signed from Leigh RMI for just £75k in summer 2001 plus £75k after 60 games. He's an absolute bargain.

Quick on his feet and a goal poacher is the way to describe him. Like's to take men on, you could call it greed but when he can beat 4 or 5 men at a time it may be a bit harsh.

He had a year getting ready for life at Crewe as his first season he was abit rocky, and i don't mean like the boxer in that film... Rocky 2 was the best though. He came on in a few games but never looked up to it and was too scared he might make a costly mistake, bless.

He was shipped out to Rochdale on a 3 month loan to gain experience. He scored one and played a few games and started to gain the league games he needed. Rochdale desperately wanted to sign him but Dario gave him the v sign.

Relegation hit Crewe hard but maybe it was the best thing that had happened to good old Jonah. It took him a good 10 games to get going. When Dean Ashton got injured just before playing QPR, along with a Jack injury, there was noone to partner Hulse so Dario gave Jones his first start in an Alex shirt.

He instantly hit the Alex fans hearts, his two goals in his first start took the Alex to a 2-0 win over QPR, who were topping Div 2 at the time.

After that he wasn't prolific but he gave every Division Two a fright with his pace and guts to take players on - even if he hasn't got the Brazilian type tricks other players have.

He had his downs aswell as ups. Towards the end of the season Tony Dinnig of Wigan tried to break his legs with a two footed lunge from behind which saw Jones rushed to hospital but it turned out to be a badly bruised leg. His return match, from that, turned out to be worse when Wycombe player, Danny Sanda, made a 'high kick' he caught Jonah in his face and in the proccess of fracturing his eye socket sent him crashing into the advertising boards which resulted in breaking his cheek bone. It saw him sidelined for a couple of months.

He returned though for his final 5 matches and was as bright as ever and was just returning to form as he ended the season. However...

The highest moment of his career was to come. Three years after playing at grounds like Gravesend he had been called up to play for Northern Irelands first team to play against Italy and Spain.

After scoring for the N.Ireland B team he was given his chance in a friendly against Italy where he came on and forced a brilliant save from Toldo despite the Ulstermen losing 2-0.

(Courtesy of Crewealex.net)

Injury & Suspension News

Dave Brammer is a long term injury and is not expected to be back in time to play against the Latics. Varney and Smart are also likely to miss the game with injuries that will most likely keep them out until the end of the season.