Gillingham v Crewe Alex 24-25 Preview - Dr Crewe

"Come in to my Doctor's surgery Mr Newport. What seems to be the problem? Oh dear, you haven't won away from home since October? No problem, he's a 3-0 away win to remedy your ills. Who's next? Oh, you again Mr Gillingham. What's your issue? You haven't won in 10 games? Not an issue, Dr Crewe will sort you right out."

Is a 1-0 home win completely and utterly inevitable in this one, given the Alex's down to the bare bones nature. I sure hope not. Here is my preview of their trip to Priestfield:

Bullish

Despite both sides having contrasting fortunes on Tuesday, I think both sides fan bases will be feeling a little bit better about this one. Gillingham's fans are downbeat after 10 without a win, but a decent battling point at Walsall is bound to lift their spirits. They'll be very much targeting this game to end their long winless run.

As for the Alex, they might be down to the skeleton of a squad as injuries and suspensions bite, but they'll be fired up after doing pretty well up until the penalty and red card against Wimbledon. They'll use that as fuel to motivate themselves up for this one I'm sure.

Cremated

That being said, I don't think the bare bones adequately describes the Alex's squad availability situation right now. This is beyond a skeleton of a squad, it's the cremated ashes of one. If Knight-Lebel is suspended, they'll be down 12 players(9 injured, 1 not fit enough to make the squad in Robinson and 2 suspended). Add in Fin Roberts and Lucas Sant being out on loan and that's 14 players unavailable out of a squad of 28. I've never seen anything like it.

Poor Record

Not to put more negativity out, but the Alex don't have a great record at this ground in recent years. Since their 3-1 win back in March 2014, it has been tough going at Priestfield. They are 0-1-5 in their last 6 visits, by a 12-2 aggregate scoreline. Hopefully that means they are due a result.

Attacking Struggles

However, the Alex aren't the only ones finding it tough in front of goal at the moment. The Gills have been having that problem all season. I'm tempting fate when I mention these stats but they have 4 goals in their last 7 games, have 7 goals in their last 10 home games. They are the 4th lowest scorers in the division and behind Jayden Clarke and Robbie McKenzie, who have 12 between them, their 3rd highest scorer is Tim Dieng, who has 3. He doesn't even play for them anymore. They have chronic attack issues. The Alex's hopes for a result will hinge on keeping a clean sheet.

A bit of luck

I don't believe there is an agenda against the Alex. I don't believe refs are corrupt. They are just useless. But you really do have to wonder if there is some force of nature working against them lately. The missed penalty call against Newport, Knight-Lebel's red card. They haven't exactly had the rub of the green. Could we please get a goal go in off someone's arse, or could the ref send off a Gills player for a soft challenge? Anything at this stage. A bit of luck feels owed.

Referee Watch

Jamie O'Connor

You know how Lee Bell was fuming with the ref on Tuesday and cited his lack of experience. Well, that ref was on the 5th EFL game of his career. O'Connor will be on his 3rd. I have zero expectations for what he might do in this game.

2024/25 Record: 14 games(2 League Two, 8 National League, 1 FA Cup, 3 EFL Trophy), 68 yellows, 2 reds

Last Game: Dag & Red 0-2 Southend, National League, 25th January 2025, 4 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: N/A

Injuries/Absences

Gillingham

Connor Masterson, Ethan Coleman, Josh Andrews, Jonny Williams, Aaron Rowe, Marcus Wylie and Jacob Wakeling all missed Tuesday's trip to Newport, so they'll be down a few players in attacking areas, much like the Alex.

Crewe Alex

Ryan Dicker did hint that 1-2 are close to returning, but didn't disclose names. However, only a very naive person would actually expect anyone to return. He says 50/50, I say no chance. Zac Williams starts his 2 game ban and at the time of posting this preview, there is no news on Jamie Knight-Lebels' red card appeal. Then it's just the 10 missing players.

Team

As the options continue to dwindle, the ability to change the team becomes less as well. Thankfully though, they have just enough available players to form something resembling a coherent team. So here's what I would go with.

First, they'll need to switch to a back 4. They don't have enough CBs available to do anything else. Yes, that increases the risk defensively, but again, they have little choice. Conway and Cooney play as natural full backs and the CB pair is Billington alongside O'Riordan. Should Knight-Lebel's red be overturned, I would put him in over Billington and Billo drops to the bench.

In midfield, a trio of Powell, Sanders and Lowey intrigues me. There should be more than enough technical ability in there to hold their own in possession and cover defensively out of possession.

Upfront it's slim pickings, but for me it would be Tracey flanked by Holicek and Tabiner as inside attacking midfielders. Yes, it's far from ideal and if you wanted to suggest Thibaut starts alongside Tracey or with Shilow shifting out wide, I'd be down for that too. But given he didn't play a minute on Tuesday, I'd be surprised if Thibaut started here.

Score Prediction

I'm hoping for a fired up performance as they use the injustice of Tuesday to their advantage. But against a Gills side who are themselves desperate for a result and who at least have a few fit strikers, namely last season's top scorer for the Alex, I think they've got enough firepower to get past the Alex.

Gillingham 1-0 Crewe Alexandra