Trains vs Boats (Crewe vs Portsmouth)

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

In unprecedented scenes this week, Crewe Alexandra Football Club have done the following:

- Won on opening day for the first time since 2007 and won away from home on opening day for the first time since 1994.
- Come from behind to win a cup tie against a full strength opposition from a higher league.
- Played very nice football along the way thanks in large to the additions of key experienced players.

I'm not getting carried away and credit where it's due to the team and management but Davis still very much has a huge point to prove and so we come to his next test. How will this season's side look when they play in front of their own fans?

The football at home has been turgid for years and we often look dull and uninspiring. Could that change with the additions of Lowe, Dagnall and Kiwomya coupled with the improved performances of Cooper and Jones however?

Even though choosing the CBs seems like a lottery, I think the team will be: Garratt, Ng, Guthrie, Davis, Bakayogo, Cooper, Jones, Turton, Kirk, Dagnall, Lowe. Davis has said Kiwomya can't do 90 minutes just yet but still looked sharp after doing 60 yesterday. Bingham and Saunders both went off injured last night so Ng will come in for Bingham with Ng going RB and Turton going CM.

To me, this game is a free pass and one I expect us to lose 2-1. I would be very happy with a point from this fixture against one of the league's better sides. An entertaining home performance is long long overdue.

 

[JJ1532]

Amazing what a win on the opening day does for your perspective of the next 3-4 games. Pressure massively off, although a heavy defeat won't go down well. A point would be an excellent result for me, but I think we'll come up short and lose 2-1.

Just frustrating that the previous recruitment blunders are coming back to bite us with losing Bingham. He was an injury prone player when we signed him and shock, horror, he's been injury prone since he's come here. Well, least fans will get to see Turton in midfield as they all seem to want. Fingers crossed he can do well.

 

[TimeyWimey]

More of a test of whether we are in the midst of another false dawn or not. Impressive start (although can't say I know much about either win), but to be taken with a pinch of salt until November at the earliest - only then should the pressure ease off Davis.

One thing in Davis' favour is, if he can keep us unbeaten,, he does have the ability to create a bit of a team spirit and now has back up from the likes of Lowe and Dagnall (similar to how Artell and Phillips were pivotal a few years back). Avoiding defeat on Saturday more crucial than winning.

 

[WAP]

I'm not convinced by us defensively but in midfield and attack we should win this one comfortably.

 

[Crewelad87]

Brilliant start by us but could come a little unstuck here I fear. Hopefully Kiwomya is getting close to full fitness so he can start rather than wow us with a cameo.

Plenty of goals in this I think.

Crewe 2-3 Portsmouth (Dagnall, Cooper) 4,722 (1344 Pompey)

Not sure if that away following is optimistic or not, how many are you expecting to bring?

 

[JJ1532]

Hopefully Kiwomya is getting close to full fitness so he can start rather than wow us with a cameo.

Sounds like he's still ways away. What do the youth team management set ups at these big clubs do with their players? Doesn't seem to be much fitness work. Had issues with loads of PL loanees in the past few years.

 

[Bar Carousel]

Brilliant start by us but could come a little unstuck here I fear. Hopefully Kiwomya is getting close to full fitness so he can start rather than wow us with a cameo.

Plenty of goals in this I think.

Crewe 2-3 Portsmouth (Dagnall, Cooper) 4,722 (1344 Pompey)

Not sure if that away following is optimistic or not, how many are you expecting to bring?

Away tickets were only available to be bought in advance. We had sold 1200 yesterday (with a maximum allocation of 1700). Think your guess should be about right.

 

[Bar Carousel]

I can't predict anything in this league. Especially early season. And especially with us.

Two weeks ago i'd have said away banker but Crewe's results have made me think again.

A draw would be a good result assuming both these teams are there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

I'm gonna be optimistic though and go 0-2.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Be interesting to see how many home fans there'll be tomorrow given the positive start to the season. I'll be going tomorrow and Hartlepool at home purely because I'm leaving the North for good next week so might as well take advantage of two home games before I go.

Hearing he might be playing Harry Davis at RB (ffs) now which means Ng won't start and one of Ray or Nugent (who were both impressive on Tuesday despite Ray's early hiccups) will partner Guthrie. Hopefully it's Nugent!

As JJ said, it's a joke how so much is invested into youth facilities by these big clubs yet they fail to get their players fit enough to last 90 minutes. Some big clubs obviously can do so but this seems to be a problem at Arsenal and Chelsea to say the least.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Both sides lacked cutting edge up front but a good game, 0-0 the fair result even if Pompey probably edged it on play but even then, neither keeper was tested too often.

First home game in years I've been entertained watching the Alex, and that includes our home wins over the last few seasons!

 

[JJ1532]

Excellent point, regardless of how we played.

Next couple of games will be the big tests though, games we are expected to probably pick up a win or two in.

 

[WAP]

Sounded like we weren't quite at it today infront of goal, positives are that we probably would have lost this game last season so could have been worse. Have a feeling Smith will be dropped for Morecambe after two poor games.