Crewe visit Oakwell for a competitive fixture for the first time in 7 years. Their last visit was amidst that dreadful run of form with Lee Johnson at the wheel. As was typical of that run, we were well ahead on the shot count, but conceded a late goal to go down 2-1. Crewe aren't having a good league campaign. They find themselves 15th, well clear of relegation, but not quite in striking distance of the play-offs. They've just had a slight upturn in form, after just 1 win in 14 in all competitions from mid August to the start of November. Away from home, they've registered just 2 victories. Last time out against Swindon, and the first game of the season against Rochdale. These victories were separated by over 3 months. They do draw fairly regularly away from home too, so have only lost a third of their games away from Gresty Road. Since the turn of the century, at Oakwell we've won 4 and lost 4 vs Crewe. Our most recent victory was in Feb 2015, when second half goals courtesy of Lewin Nyatanga and an own goal from Paul Rachubka saw us 2-0 winners. All of our home victories over Crewe this century, have also seen us keep a clean sheet. I think we'll go for a slightly stronger lineup to the one which faced Port Vale, and should be enough to see off Crewe. I'm going for 2-0 with Cole and Aitchison on the scoresheet.
Can't really call this until I've seen the team sheet, but agree it should be much closer to our usual lineup than Tuesday. Assuming that's the case, I'm also going for 2-0 reds.
As long as we don't piss about with the team and then moan about how much money we haven't got after being knocked out.
Depends on the side he puts out. Anything like Tuesday and we should expect a similar outcome. I’m assuming he’ll go full strength, based on what could come next round if we get through.
We are on a dull losing run after Port Vale. We will not be able to improve on that and will be knocked out by a Crewe side who will wonder how easy it was. The "crowd" will not be happy.