v 
Blues boss Steve Tilson wants his first victory on the road, as do the few hundred Shrimpers who are going to make the trip in some early Autumn sunshine, as well as giving Ian Joyce his debut as Southend No.1.
Interviewed for Blues World Tilly said: "Crewe are a good footballing side and they must have put in a good performance to beat Colchester last weekend as they are a good team with good players, last season we put in a really good display up there so something similar this season would be nice. We haven't won away from home so hopefully we can pick up three points and keep our run going."
"Ian Joyce played on Tuesday for the reserves and he will be playing on Saturday as well. It's a great opportunity for him to go between the sticks and do well".
And so say all of us.
Other than Ian I expect Tilly to name the same side that started against Hereford, a much improved Betsy holding out Scannell, with only Robson-Kanu maybe having a quiet word in his managers ear, "want me to stay past Saturday, then I think I deserve a start over Walker." And if he did say that, there's a few Shrimpers who would not argue with him.
OPPOSITION
| 16 | Southend United | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 7 | -4 | ||||
| 17 | Northampton Town | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 6 | -2 | ||||
| 18 | Crewe Alexandra | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 6 | -5 |
For us Ian Joyce will play in his first ever football league game and the nerves will be there around 3pm. At the opposite end will be our former No. 2 Steve Collis who many believe did not get the best of treatment with the Blues, however he seems to have settled in at his new club and seems to be popular with the home crowd. I hope their are no boos al la Morgan last season, just a swift smile when he has to pick the ball out of the net!
As one of my tips to go down Crewe showed me their was plenty of life in the old club at the weekend with a great win over Colchester, (all that money boys), who they've helped replace both of us in the bottom four.
Tilly believes it will be a physical battle for Clarkey and Captain Adam: "The two big lads upfront for them, Zola and Elding, are a handful and we will have to be on our guard."
I saw a Zola goal from earlier in the season, he looks lively.
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke manager Steve Holland hopes there's no repeat of the double defeat they had to suffer in 2007/08: "We got nowhere near Southend last season so I'm looking to see if we have made any progress on them. I quite like the look of my team at the moment, and this will be a game where I can get a better assessment of how its going."
While assistant boss Neil Baker, whose side have drawn Liverpool in the Carling Cup, insists the big game is this Saturday with three points against Southend remaining the real priority. Baker wants the players fully focused on extending that fine home record to six straight wins.
"I hope we're not thinking about Tuesday because if that is the case, the players will pay for that," he explained. "If they start looking forward too early, they won't be playing in the team at Anfield. The League's the priority, we're not going to win the Carling Cup. We need the points and we want to see where our form can take us. I think we're a win off being in a reasonable position. We know we've still got a bit to do. The team is still evolving and particularly up front because we still need to find our best combination. It will get better I can assure you of that."
Crewe are stronger at home than away from Gresty Road, like Blues they play two wide men at all times, so I expect a tough battle but believe we can just edge them upfront as long as the midfield remain strong for the whole 90 minutes. The defence will need to help the boy Yank as much as they can but there's a lot of pressure on the young rookie's shoulders who everybody at TLG wishes the best of luck. 2-1 win.
A report and team that finished the game in their excellent 2-0 win over the Farmers.
(Edited from Tony Robinson, Crewe and Nantwich Guardian, September 15, 2008.)
Michael O'Connor led Crewe to a vital 2-0 win over Colchester. Only the second success of their league campaign so far, Steve Holland's men needed this morale-booster after a true mauling at Leeds. And the Northern Ireland midfielder deserved his man-of-the-match award for setting the tone against a side intent on spoiling.
Returning from International duty, O'Connor ensured Alex made the perfect start to the second half while sub Tom Pope wrapped up a deserved victory. Recalled to face the Championship drop outs, both he and Joel Grant already look key players to hopes of a steady season in League One.
Cavlin Zola also produced the goods in the targetman role, giving Colchester a real nightmare all afternoon. It was the former Tranmere striker who created Crewe's first opening, finding Grant who skipped past three defenders before seeing his shot deflected wide.
Typical dicey moments at the other end made it an even start when Steve Collis failed to hold on to Anthony Wordsworth's cross. Scott Vernon appeared set to punish but blasted his sixth-minute sitter into the side netting.
Thankfully the football improved with BIlly Jones and Zola combining to present Grant with another chance drilled just past Dean Gerken's left-hand post.
While Collis produced a blinder to keep out Wordsworth, Crewe had began to take a grip of the game around the half-hour.
Zola went close while Julien Baudet's finishing touch to a Billy Jones corner was cleared off the line.
Despite disappointment at going into the break goalless, the home side soon gave their sparse support something to cheer about. Zola was hauled down yet again just outside the box and O'Connor stepped up to curl the resulting set-piece beyond an embarrassed Gerken on 47 minutes.
The relief was immense and Crewe went on to win fairly comfortable against an undisciplined Colchester side.
Anthony Elding should have made it 2-0 shortly after but placed Byron Moore's through ball wide of the mark before stomping off on his 67th-minute substitution.
A rare show of passion is perhaps no bad thing although Holland's decision was rewarded within two minutes when Pope bagged the winner. Jones returned his corner to the unmarked sub who headed home from six-yards.
Collins made sure there were no jitters with a brilliant stop to thwart Kemal Izzett and Crewe should have added further goals to stick the boot into Colchester. Zola wasted two opportunities while O'Connor got the best out of Gerken with his blockbuster.
A sending-off also looked probably and red finally arrived when sub Steve Gillespie walked for a poor challenge on Danny Woodards.
Crewe: Collis, Woodards, Jones, O'Donnell, Baudet, Moore, O'Connor, Bailey, Grant (Carrington 77), Elding (Pope 67), Zola. Subs not used: Miller, Donaldson, Abbey.
Attendance - 3,510. Guardian-man-of-the-match: Michael O'Connor - revitalised midfield
MATCHES
Played 28: Won 16 Drawn 6 Lost 6
We like playing Crewe, though last season was the first time we'd played the Alex for 16 years we just carried on from where we left off, doing the double over them. In fact it's been 21 years since they last beat the Blues, 2-1 on March 13 2007, Hall got our goal.
It all started in the sixties with a 1-1 draw at the Hall on Oct. 5 1963, Smith scoring.
Our biggest wins remain two games by three goal margins, both at home. Mar. 13 1972, 4-1, Moore, Lewis, Best and a penalty taken by Albeson. Mar. 27 1981, 3-0, a brace for Gray and Mercer. They have never beaten us by more than two goals, one outstanding looking result was on Jan. 28 1970 when a Phil Chisnall double and a goal from Eddie Clayton could not prevent a 3-5 defeat! We've only lost three more times since.
Those two doubles were on Sep. 1 1990, 3-2, Benjy, Bretty Angell and a Martin penalty at Roots Hall. Then away on Jan. 12 1991, a Bretty double. Last season it was the good Lord playing for Crewe at the home of football on Oct. 13 2007 when he saw us win 3-0, Bailey, Hooper and a Leon Clarke penalty. Seeing the light Barny joined us in time to score twice in a 3-1 win on April 5 2008 along with Walker and a couple of Flavs penalty saves.
Remind yourself of a great day out for the Blues faithful at www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDY3&id=407580.
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All 15.00 unless stated: Brighton (11/10) v Walsall (11/4), Carlisle (7/4) v Leeds (8/5), (12:15), Colchester (11/8) v Milton Keynes Dons (11/5), Hartlepool (15/8) v Oldham (13/8), Hereford (9/4) v Scunthorpe (7/5), Huddersfield (Eve) v Northampton (11/4), Leyton Orient (23/10) v Leicester (13/10), Millwall (3/4) v Cheltenham (19/4 - TLG Bet of the Day), Peterborough (11/10) v Tranmere (16/5), Stockport (6/5) v Swindon (11/4), Yeovil (7/5) v Bristol Rovers (21/10).
BET
Crewe (13/8) Draw (12/5) Southend (11/4)
Most Draws 12/5 but for a full update on all league fixtures go to www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-one
REF
The man in the middle is Steve Bratt from Walsall in his first match for the Blues but his fourth Crewe match. His 5 matches so far this season have produced two red cards and 13 yellows.
GROUND
The Alexandra Stadium (but still known to a lot of fans as Gresty Road!)
The opening of the £6m pound Air Products Stand (formerly known as the Railtrack Stand) in 1999 changed forever the look and feel of the ground. Before, it had always been small and homely, but the addition of the Air Products Stand has drastically changed the overall scene. The stand, which sits proudly along one side of the pitch, is a single tier cantilever holding just under 7,000 people. It looks huge compared to the other stands and is probably three times the size of the old Main Stand. It is simply designed, sits well back from the pitch and has windshields to either side. Considering that the overall capacity of the ground is just over 10,000, one can understand how the Air Products Stand dominates Gresty Road, accounting for 70% of the available seating.
The other three stands are roughly of the same height, covered and all seated, but are rather small when compared to the Air Products Stand. So much so, that balls are regularly kicked out of the ground during a game. The newest of these smaller stands is the Advance Personnel Stand (previously known as the Gresty Road End), which is the home end of the ground. This replaced a former open terrace and seats around 900. Opposite is the Charles Audi Stand. This has some executive boxes at the rear, but the seating area is only opened for the bigger games. The Blue Bell BMW Stand at one side of the ground, has an unusual television/press gantry on its roof. It almost looks as if part of a portakabin was at some point bolted onto the roof and it looks a bit precarious. In the corner between the Blue Bell BMW & Charles Audi Stands is a large clock, whilst on the other side of the Blue Bell BMW Stand is a Police Control Box, keeping a close eye on the away contingent.
An unusual feature is the absence of dugouts, the teams instead are given a section of seating at the front of the Air Products Stand. You will also notice that the pitch is slightly raised above ground level. The ground is completed with a set of modern looking floodlights. It's been noted that on the Air Products side of the stadium additional lighting is present half way up the floodlight pylons. One assumes that the height of the new stand prevented enough light getting to the pitch and hence additional lighting needed to be subsequently added.
At some point in the future, the club hopes to replace the Blue Bell BMW Stand (formerly known as the Popular Side) with a new two tiered stand, which will also contain executive boxes.
Away fans are housed in the Blue Bell BMW Stand at one side of the ground. The whole of this stand is given to away supporters and houses 1,680 fans, though if required the Charles Audi Family Stand can also be allocated to away fans. Entrance to the away stand is by ticket only, (no cash is accepted at ironically some of the oldest turnstiles I have ever seen at a League Ground). Tickets need to be purchased from the ticket booth next to the supporters club at the entrance to this stand. Please also note that alcohol is not available in this stand.
WEATHER
As we end the first week of the British summer the sun will be seen at Crewe through patches off cloud and a very nice 19c's, clocks go back in a month!
TRANSPORT
For full details go to Day Return to Crewe: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW4&id=407577
PUB AND PIES
For full details see The Pub Crawl at Crewe: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW8&id=407578
HISTORY
Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the railway industry, the club was formed in 1877 and reputedly named after Princess Alexandra. Some suggest that the decision to form the club was actually taken in a pub named after the Princess and the club was named after the pub which is a far better story.
Crewe were one of the founding members of Division 2 in 1892, having previously been members of the Football Alliance, but became a non-league side after only five seasons. The following year the club managed to sign all their players as professionals. They rejoined the Football League in the 1920s, during which time a new record of 15,102 packed into Gresty Road to watch Crewe entertain local rivals Stoke City. The Potters won the game 2-0. Crewe earned their first honours by winning the Welsh Cup in 1936 and 1937, before being barred from entering (not least since they were not in Wales). In 1936, Herbert Swindells scored his 100th League goal for Crewe Alexandra. He would go on to score a record 126 goals for the club - a record that still stands today.
In June 1983, Crewe appointed Milan-born Dario Gradi as manager. At that time, Crewe had again just avoided being voted out of the Football League. Gradi quickly gained a reputation for developing young talent, Gradi let Steve Walters become the youngest ever player to pull on a Crewe shirt: aged just 16 years and 119 days he played against Peterborough United on 6 May. Gradi's efforts paid off in 1989 when Crewe won promotion to the Third Division. They went back down two years later, but were promoted again in 1994. In the same year, Neil Lennon became the first Crewe Alexandra player to gain an International cap for 60 years when he was selected to play for Northern Ireland against Mexico. Gradi then led his charges to the unprecedented height of Division One in 1997, after victory over Brentford in the Division Two playoff final, and kept his team there until 2002, despite a club income on which many more lowly clubs could not survive.
After one season in the Division Two the club were promoted back to Division One at the end of the 2002-03 season, having finished in second place; the first time the club had finished in the top two of any division.
Although managing to retain their place in the renamed Championship in the 2003-04 season, at the start of the 2004-05 season they were rated one of the likeliest teams to be relegated. In the event, they put in a good showing in the first half of the season, but after selling Dean Ashton to Norwich City for a record £3 million in the January 2005 transfer window, Crewe failed to win any more games until the final match of the season, when they defeated Coventry City 2-1 and narrowly escaped relegation on goal difference, Crewe having a GD of -20 and Gillingham -21.
The following year they were not so fortunate. Despite a good run towards the end of the season, they were relegated to League 1 at the end of the 2005-06 season.
Crewe were named the 'Most Admired Club' in the 2006 Football League Awards, sponsored by The League Paper and FourFourTwo Magazine.
As of the summer of 2007, Gradi was the longest serving manager in English league football; he celebrated his 1,000th game in charge of Crewe on 20 November 2001 - an away fixture at Carrow Road, the home of Norwich City F.C., and completed 24 years in sole charge of the club, although assistant manager Neil Baker took temporary charge between 22 September and 17 October 2003 while Gradi underwent heart surgery. Crewe only managed one point while Baker was in charge.
During Gradi's control, the club gained a strong reputation for its youth policy, and gained official status as an FA Youth Academy. By concentrating on developing its own players the club remained profitable (a rare thing in lower division football at the time) by selling them on after they have gained experience with Crewe. The Academy is known to stress technical excellence, which accords with Gradi's aim to have his sides play attractive, passing football.
Players who passed through the ranks at Crewe include the England international players Geoff Thomas, David Platt and Rob Jones, Welshman Robbie Savage, and Northern Ireland internationals Neil Lennon and Steve Jones (Platt was the most successful, totalling more than £20 million in transfers and captaining the England team). All these were youngsters signed from other clubs, but Gradi also had considerable success in nurturing Crewe's own trainees - notably full England internationals Danny Murphy and Seth Johnson, under-21 England international Dean Ashton and Wales international David Vaughan.
On 20 April 2007 Crewe Alexandra announced that, as of 1 July 2007, Gradi would take up a new role as the club's Technical Director whilst gradually allowing newly appointed first-team coach Steve Holland control of the team.
Holland's first season in this role, 2007-08, was a disappointment as they narrowly avoided relegation, finishing in 20th place with a mere 50 points.
Summer transfers for Crewe before the 2008/09 season was bringing in goalkeepers such as former Blues No.2 Steve Collis and strikers such as Calvin Zola. They also let Ben Williams go to Carlisle United F.C. and sold fan favourite Nicky Maynard to Bristol City F.C. for the buying teams club record fee of £2.25 million.
(Thanks to the usual suspects, including the Internet Ground Guide and Wikipedia, in their help with this article.)