We look ahead to Saturday's league fixture
CREWE ALEXANDRA V GILLINGHAM
SkyBET League One
Alexandra Stadium
Saturday September 28
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
with Steven Gregory, Chris Whelpdale and Danny Kedwell looking to regain their places in the starting line-up.Saturday’s defeat to BradfordMartin Allen has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of the weekend’s trip to Crewe. The Gills boss has hinted he could make a number of changes following
minute substitute during the club’s last game against Oldham, but hasn’t started a game since the 1-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the JPT on September 3.thAs for the visitors Ryan Colclough could start after making his comeback last weekend following a chest infection. He was used as a 75
His return to fitness will be a welcome boost for Manager Steve Davis who will be without last season’s top scorer Mathias Pogba until December with a knee problem, and is likely to be without defender Matt Tootle due to a dead leg.
Goalkeeper Alan Martin (hip) and full back Gregor Robertson (knee) remain doubts for the hosts, although summer signing Anthony Grant (back) could return after coming through the club’s reserve game against Walsall unscathed.
Manager Comments:
Martin Allen said in his midweek press conference that he had the utmost respect for Saturday's opponents, but has this week focussed on his own players and what they need to do together to move forward.
Martin said: “They have fantastic young players; it’s a great club, an unbelievable club. It’s a one off in this country and it’s like a mini Barcelona how they bring their players through from schoolboys to the top.
“Selling them on a regular basis keeps the club going and I have massive respect for them, but we are Gillingham and it’s my responsibility to move our club forward again.”
“Martin will be disappointed with the start they have made but he is a determined character and used to fighting in adversity.
“It will be hurting Martin and everyone at Gillingham but we know that will make it an even tougher game.”
Current Form:
Crewe: LLDLD (2 points)
Gills: DDLLL (2 points)
Crewe – the season so far
Crewe come in to the game having accumulated the same amount of points as the Gills in their last five outings.
Crewe’s last victory in the league was on August 17 against Tranmere, and the Gills will be looking to keep it that way as they go in search of maximum points for the first time this season.
in the SkyBET League One table (one win, three draws and four defeats), they have scored eight goals in as many outings having conceded 18.thThe Railwaymen are currently 17
As for their progress in cup competitions, Crewe were defeated in the first round of the Capital One Cup following a 3-2 defeat away at Bury, but are on course to retaining the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy having got past Accrington Stanley in the first round courtesy of a 1-0 victory.
They will play Fleetwood at Highbury Stadium on October 8.
Previous Meetings:
when a seven goal thriller was played out in front of a bumper crowd at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.two sides met was in March 2011The last time the
With both sides looking to seal a position in the play-offs in League Two it was always going to be a close game, and so it proved to be.
Crewe never lost the lead but the Gills pegged Alex back on two occasions, firstly at 1-1 when Jack Payne’s strike just after half time restored parity, but after two goals in two minutes from the visitors, Gills had to fight back and tied the game at 3-3 after goals from Chris Whelpdale and Ashley Miller.
In the dying moments however the visiting fans would be the ones cheering loudest as Max Clayton grabbed the winner right at the death.
In total the two clubs have met on 43 occasions. Crewe edge the head-to-head statistics with 20 wins to their name while the Gills have only managed 15. The other eight games have resulted in a draw.
Officials:
Fourth Official: Kevin Mattocks
Assistants: Ryan Johnson and Iain Siddall
Referee: Oliver Langford
Betting Odds:
Gills to win 1-0 – 17/2
Gills to win 2-0 – 12/1
Gills to win 2-1 – 9/1
Crewe to win 1-0 – 15/2
Crewe to win 2-0 – 11/1
Draw 0-0 – 12/1
Draw 1-1 – 11/2
here.For other betting markets, courtesy of SkyBET, click