Crewe Alex v Shrewsbury Town 26-27 Preview - Changing Fortunes?

Hmm, well this is interesting isn't it? I originally drafted an opening section here that was going to talk about how Shrewsbury were a side in big trouble, drifting with an owner looking to cut his losses and sell the club. How they were suffering from a lack of investment and potentially heading for the National League. Well, news has broken in the last few weeks that a takeover of the club seems imminent, with a consortium of American owners apparently close to acquiring the club.

Now, it won't directly affect the first team just yet, they'll have to wait several windows before the incoming regime can start to improve them. And that's if they even can, as teams like Gillingham have shown having wealthy owners doesn't always mean success. Or if it will even happen, as we saw takeovers collapse at Derby and Colchester at seemingly the 11th hour.

But, I wonder if this news, so long as it remains true, will give a much needed boost to a club in desperate need of one? Here is my preview of their short trip north east to Gresty Road:

Away Struggles

Putting the takeover aside and looking purely on the pitch, I challenge you to find a team with a worse away record over 5 full seasons than Shrewsbury from 2021 until now. It's been beyond dire. They've gone 21-28-65 on the road in the last 5 seasons, scoring less than a goal a game in that time. Last season was particularly bad, as they lost 15 games for the first time since the 2000-01 season.

Things haven't gotten better this season either, as they've suffered 3 straight defeats all without scoring, going down 2-0 at Tranmere, 3-0 at Rochdale and 2-0 at Fleetwood. They did manage a 1-1 draw and penalties win at Salford in the cup, but they went and lost 4-0 at Fleetwood in the 2nd round. So, in total, they are 0-1-4 with 1 goal scored. That's horrendous.

Which side?

Each of the Alex's last 4 draws look fine in isolation. Against the Vale in the pouring rain, a 0-0 draw is fine enough. 2 promising performances against 2 solid/decent looking teams against Walsall and York. And a 1-1 draw from a long away day at Colchester where they never play well. You'll take that, just about.

But they aren't going to draw forever. Eventually they are going to win or lose a game. So the question is, which side do they land on? Because if they fall to a defeat, they are suddenly 2-4-1 with no win in 5. If they win, they are 3-4-0 with no defeat in 7 and everything feels a lot better.

A draw of course would satisfy no-one. So, what comes next? There will be some very contrasting emotions on Saturday depending on how the game goes.

Winnable

As I've sort of touched on above, the Alex's 2 home draws against Walsall and York are fine as both teams look to be pretty decent. But Shrewsbury, barring an unbelievable turnaround, are not. That makes this a favourable game for the Alex. It's especially important because they have some tough looking fixtures at Gresty Road between now and the start of January. Bristol Rovers, Barnet, Grimsby, Salford, Tranmere and Oldham await, with only a couple of more favourable looking ties mixed in(Exeter and Newport). This is a game they have to take advantage of and take the 3 points from.

Get going

All the talk in recent weeks is how certain players seem like they are being scapegoated, with Calum Agius apparently in the firing line. However, whilst I understand the frustration, I think 3 others need to start drawing some attention, namely Matus Holicek, Jack Lankester and Jordan Gibson. Yes, I know Holicek's name in there might raise some eye brows, but let me explain.

Slow starts to the season are fine as fitness and cohesion build up. And I know football goes beyond a numbers viewpoint. However, they shouldn't be dismissed entirely either. No goal involvements from all 3 isn't great. Now, the good thing is that the underlying numbers say Gibson and Lankester are both doing their best to create chances and take shots, as they are 1st and 2nd on the team in combined xG + xA.

Holicek is the biggest concern, as he ranks 12th on the team with 0.06 xG + xA through 6 games. Yes, I understand he's playing a deeper role and he's been decent to start the season in terms of all round contribution and work rate, but when the likes of Hutchinson, Billington, Offord and Demetriou rank higher you in the above category, then it's time to start questioning why. All 3 need to get going from an attacking point of view and soon.

Referee Watch

Alex Chilowicz

The American referee is taking charge of his 3rd Alex game, with them never winning before in a game he's taken charge of involving them. Here's hoping that changes in this game.

2026-27 Record: 4 games(3 League One, 1 League Cup), 18 yellows

Last Game: Notts County 0-1 Bradford City, League One, Saturday 12th September 2026, 8 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 0-1-1, 5 yellows

Injuries/Absences

Crewe Alex

Reece Hutchinson is out accordingly to Lee Bell, but Mickey Demetriou and Conor Thomas have a chance to be fit. I personally don't think either player makes it. Owen Lunt will be back in contention though, which is good news.

Shrewsbury

Isaac England, Tom Anderson and Jack Price all missed last week's home win over Northampton, but generally they are looking good on the injury front.

Team

Hmm, so this is tricky with Hutchinson now definitely out. What do you do at full back? Well for me, the one non-negotiable is that Calum Agius should not start at RB. So, for me the solution is to start Stan Dancey at RB. I know it's not ideal, but I would start a RB at RB than a LW. Call me old fashioned. So, with Dancey at RB, Billington will have to continue to fill in at LB, with Stephenson and Offord staying at CB.

In central midfield, White and Holicek go once again and then the choice is between a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 which Bell used in the previous 2 home games. Given nobody in the attacking areas is in good form right now bar March, I think it's a roll of dice to decide which 3 of McNeill, Thibaut, Agius, Lankester, Gibson and Tabiner start.

For me, I'll go back to the 4-4-2 but instead of McNeill partnering March, it'll be Thibaut. He will have full reign to give a strong 60 minutes and then McNeill can come on to replace him. Out wide, it'll be Tabiner and Lankester, although if Agius and Gibson starting I wouldn't be overly bothered.

On the bench things should look a little better depth wise, with Lunt joining Agius, Gibson, McNeill, Moore, Ure and Lawlor as options to change things.

Score Prediction

The Alex really need to be winning this game. It's as simple as that. It's at home against a side that aren't very good and are struggling for form both in general and on the road. They have been in indifferent form recently and they need to find that winning form. I'm hoping that their superior talent will carry them through and they can emerge with ideally a couple of goals, a clean sheet and a win.

Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Shrewsbury Town