Colchester United v Crewe Alex 26-27 Preview - Old Antics

Is anyone else just not that up for this game? The first 5 games were greeted with a certain level of intrigue I feel. Crawley was the first game, it always holds more interest no matter who you play. Then it was Northampton, their first home game, always exciting. Then it was the old rivals from down the road, the biggest away game of the season. After that it was back to back home games against 2 teams who brought big followings.

But Colchester away, aside from when it was on the final day of the 23-24 season, never really holds much excitement does it? However, I would argue that it's for that reason that it holds more weight. 3 points here could be the difference between 7th and 8th. A defeat could be seen as one of the reasons why they are unable to get over the hump.

In truth, who knows how important this game will prove to be come next May. But it's a game the Alex need to be looking to win. Here is my preview of their visit to Essex:

Same Old

Some people don't put stock in a team's previous record on the road at certain grounds and I get why. I do though. I think there is a reason the Alex go to places like Morecambe and Crawley and win most of the time. I also think there is a reason they go to Colchester and just struggle. I made the same observation last season, pointing out how long it's been since they last won there. 2015 in fact.

Since then it's been dire showing after dire showing, including a poor 1-1 draw there last season where they did get a point, but it was a tough watch and they were fortunate to escape with the draw. Is it too much to ask for something resembling a decent performance down there and maybe even a win?

Old Antics

It didn't surprise me to see Colchester get their first home win of the season against Oldham by having a player sent off against them in dubious circumstances. Gus Scott-Morriss was sent off just before half time whilst the Latics were winning 1-0. They went on to lose 2-1. It reminded me of Colchester's 0-0 home draw against the Alex in 24-25, where Owen Lunt was sent off but got his red quickly overturned days later. The same happened to Scott-Morriss a few weeks ago.

Bell needs to tell his players to be super careful, because we know what Danny Cowley teams are like when trying to get the upper hand.

6 for 6

That being said, they did win that game and the following home game against Rochdale. So far then, they have posted 2 wins from 2 at home, which will be a positive sign for them after years of indifferent form at their 'new' stadium. For example, they didn't win their first home game last season until game 6.

That truly is the only thing holding Colchester back. Cowley knows how to go and grind out results on the road with the best of them(although that has been a struggle for them so far this season). But their home form has let them down season after season. A win here would represent a very good start for them and it would be the first time they've ever won their first 3 games of the season at this stadium. So there is a bit of history on the line for the Us in this game.

Need a win?

Look, 3 games without a win against Port Vale, Walsall and York City is not a run of results that should worry any Crewe fan. Yes, it would have been nice to have bagged a win in 1 of them, as 5 points from 9 looks a lot better than 3. However, whilst those 3 draws did extend their unbeaten start to the season to 5, it did also mean they are now 3 without a win.

Promotion chasing teams don't often go more than 3-4 games without a win, so if the Alex are serious about mounting another challenge this season, they could do with getting 3 points fairly quickly. Maybe that doesn't have to be here, but if they don't, then suddenly they go into the Shrewsbury home game with a little bit of early pressure on them. However, a win would be a great confidence booster to go into that local(ish) game and would lay down a marker ahead of what look to be some very tricky away games coming up.

Referee Watch

Stephen Parkinson

Parkinson has only done 3 Crewe games in his short EFL career and unfortunately, they've not been great results for the Alex, as they've lost 2(against Walsall and Salford) and drawn one. Fingers crossed they're overdue a win with him in the middle.

2026-27 Record: 5 games(1 League One, 2 National League, 1 League Cup, 1 FL Trophy), 19 yellows

Last Game: Hornchurch 0-1 Forest Green Rovers, National League, Saturday 5th September 2026, 4 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 0-1-2, 7 yellows

Injuries/Absences

Colchester United

Ben Perry, Teddy Bishop and Kane Vincent-Young missed the trip to Swindon last weekend, but aside from those 3, they seem to have a fairly empty treatment room.

Crewe Alex

We had the usual obtuse update from Lee Bell, who was typically coy on the status of Hutchinson, Holicek, Thomas and Lunt. All 4 could be fit. None of them could be fit. I guess we'll have to wait until the teams are announced to find out.

Team

Hmm, tough one. Given the uncertain status of Hutchinson and Holicek, it makes picking the team tricky. However, we'll assume that both are fit to play. If they are, I would start Hutchinson and drop Holicek to the bench in order to manage his minutes. Bell will also have to ponder whether to go to a back 4 or 5. I'd keep the set up similar to what we saw against Port Vale.

I'd go with a back 4 of Billington, Stephenson, Demetriou and Hutchinson. Offord goes into midfield alongside Joe White and Joel Tabiner. Out wide supporting Josh March are Calum Agius off the left and Jack Lankester off the right. The bench could be very strong if Thomas and Lunt are fit, as they would join Dancey, Gibson, Holicek, Thibaut, McNeill, Ure as possibly options. There might be a couple of surprise omissions left at home.

A quick rapid fire team if all 4 of Holicek, Hutchinson, Thomas and Lunt aren't fit would be Booth, Billington, Offord, Demetriou, Stephenson, Ure, White, Agius, Tabiner, Lankester and March.

Score Prediction

I'm loathe to predict another draw, but I really don't see another outcome. I'd love it if they could snatch all 3 points, but Colchester don't lose easily at home under the Cowley's and have started well there this season. The Alex are still slowly finding their feet and for that reason, I think it'll be another low scoring grind of a game.

Colchester United 1-1 Crewe Alexandra