Chesterfield v Crewe Alex 24/25 Preview - Devastated or Determined?

First of all, my sympathies go out to Tyrone Williams, who suffered a horrendous looking injury last week at Swindon. However, the question now though is how Chesterfield react to that news. Will they use this as a rallying cry to motivate themselves into some better performances and form? Or will the devastation of losing a player who was a big part of their recent success be the final nail in what has been a faltering season for the Spireites? This is my preview of the Alex's visit to Chesterfield:

Scars

Much like Morecambe at home last season left lasting scars on the end of the Alex's promotion campaign, I'd argue that Chesterfield's demolition job at Gresty Road back in August also left it's mark on the psyche of Crewe Alex's management and players alike. I think that 5-0 defeat turned the Alex from a team that came into the season wanting to play open expansive football into one that focused on not getting beat first and foremost. So, can a wound that was opened by losing to Chesterfield be closed by winning against them? Let's hope so.

Struggling

Chesterfield came into this season with a lot of hope that they might do what Wrexham and Stockport did and mount a 2nd straight promotion push after coming up from the conference. But it's not quite gone smoothly for them. They have struggled for consistency all season. They've only won back to back games twice and that was in a 3 game winning run in December. They haven't gone more than 3 games unbeaten since October and that has resulted in them slipping to 13th, 10 points off the Alex in 7th. Whilst their promotion hopes aren't over by any stretch, they are looking like a long shot at this point.

Injuries

The reason why they are struggling for consistency is more than injuries, but they have played a big part. Absent from their squad last week against Swindon were Max Thompson, Ryheem Sheckleford, Harvey Araujo, Will Grigg, Michael Jacobs, Ryan Colclough, Bailey Hobson, Lewis Gordon, Chey Dunkley and Kyle McFadzean for various issues. Add in the potentially career altering injury to Tyrone Williams as mentioned above and their never ending issues with keeping players fit has killed their season it seems.

Draws No More

However, worthy of note is Chesterfield's form at home. It's easy to look at their record on their own patch and conclude that they are the home draw specialists. But perhaps not. Although they have 7 draws in 15 home league games, 6 of them came in their first 7. In their last 8, they are 5-1-2, showing that they might just be finding top form on home soil once again, especially given they've beaten Wimbledon, Bromley and Doncaster, plus drawn with Port Vale in that span.

They will be desperate for a win here, knowing it will see them close the gap on the Alex in 7th to just 7 points. Their promotion hopes are hanging by a thread, but a win in this one keeps them alive you feel.

Need A Win

The Alex are at the point of their season where they are going to start rueing some of their dropped results, especially away from home against the bottom half teams, where they are 2-5-2 with just 6 goals scored. If they want to reach the 72 point mark, they need to win at least 2 more away games you feel. Well, back to back Saturday away games against sides outside the top 8 is where they'll have to do it, starting with this one.

Now, I don't expect them to go into a 2 loss at home Chesterfield and win. But we didn't expect them to beat teams like Barrow, Mansfield, Stockport and Notts County last season either. This is their time to pull of a surprise and win a game nobody thinks they will.

Attacking Issues

The big question of course will be around their attackers though. The win over Barrow was nice, but let's not forget the first 2 goals were a set piece and a fortunate penalty. You'd be naive to think they are back to their best upfront. There are still big question marks over how and where the goals are coming from.

Ref Watch

Scott Tallis

They have to do this deliberately. This is the 2nd time this season they've allocated the same ref to an Alex fixture against the same opponents home and away. They did it with Scott Jackson for Bromley in August and then in January. Now they're doing it with Scott Tallis, who took charge of the Chesterfield game at Gresty Road back in August. Let's hope despite it being a repeat ref, it's not a repeat result.

2024/25 Record: 25 games(6 League One, 10 League Two, 1 League Cup, 1 FA Cup, 5 EFL Trophy, 2 National League), 103 yellows, 3 reds

Last Game: Grimsby Town 2-1 Fleetwood Town, EFL League Two, 22nd February 2025, 7 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 1-0-1, 1 yellow

Injuries/Absences

Chesterfield

As mentioned above, the Spireites are riddled with issues, with as many as 10 potentially out. They will be far from full strength for this game.

Crewe Alex

Lee Bell was typically coy in his injury updates, not disclosing any names of who might or might not be fit for the weekend. The official website was a little more revealing when they said that Bogle, Long and Hemmings were closing in on returns and Demetriou and Connolly were making strides, which suggests they are further away. No update was provided on Jack Lankester, so I'd imagine he's several weeks away at least. Zac Williams and Ryan Cooney are both back, so the squad should look a lot healthier.

Team

From struggling to name a bench to very quickly having to make some tough calls. The first big one is about the team shape. With Zac Williams and Cooney now available, they could quite easily switch to a back 5 once again. Will the scars from the defeat in August factor into their thinking? Or given how much better they've looked in terms of their all round play with a 4, will they stick with that? Decisions, decisions.

For me, stick with the back 4 and the exact same team that started last week. Yes, it's a risk as it leaves you a little more exposed, but start positive and if you need to tighten up by adding another defender, then you have that option later in the game. Williams for me stays on the bench, although I do expect him to return.

The bench will be fascinating to see who comes on there. Cooney and Williams come in for Moore and Sant. But given I've seen rumours Chris Long will be in the squad, who does he replace? Agius after his assist last week? Tracey? Roberts? The manager is going to have some tough calls to make.

Score Prediction

The scars from that defeat back in August still haunt me. I'm also concerned about their away form, which has seen them struggle to break teams down and win often enough on the road. Chesterfield still possess enough quality to hurt the Alex and their home form suggests they are a different beast on their own patch. For that reason, I'll stay cautious and go for another away draw. But if they can find a way to win, it could be priceless.

Chesterfield 1-1 Crewe Alex