Rotherham United v Crewe Alex 26-27 Preview - Turning Point?

Back on the road again and this time they are heading North East to Yorkshire to face Rotherham. Lee Bell said something very interesting in his post match interview on Tuesday about how this fixture required an overnight stay. And it made me wonder why, for journey that ideally should take 2-3 hours, they wouldn't set off on the day. Who knows, I'm sure there is a reason behind it.

Anyway, the Alex go looking to either extend their unbeaten start to 8 or find their first win in 6. What's your flavour? This is my preview of their trip to the New York Stadium:

Turning Point?

The Alex's season so far has meandered along from one dull game to another. It's all felt a bit flat and underwhelming, even from the opening win against Accrington. Most of the players aren't playing anywhere near their peaks and it's been a slog of a watch. However, I wonder if the trophy win over Aston Villa on Tuesday could be a turning point?

Nobody is getting carried away after a 4-1 win over an U21s side in what is essentially a glorified friendly, but could it be the spark the Alex need to get going? Lankester scoring twice, Thibaut bagging one, Gibson with an assist. It could just be the spark the Alex need to get going. You feel like if their attackers can start firing, then the rest of the team will follow. It's all a big if/could/possibly/hopefully at this point, but I'm praying Tuesday was the lift they all needed to finally kick into gear.

New(York) Stadium

Ok, Rotherham's ground is hardly that new, but the Alex have only visited it 3 times since it was opened back in 2012. They have failed to win in any of those 3 visits. I still remember the drama of the 4-2 loss in 2014, with Steve Evans streaking down the touchline as they came from behind to win. Then there was the 1-1 draw back in 2021, with Chris Porter scoring a late penalty to rescue a draw. And of course there was Holicek's stunner in the League Cup 2 seasons ago. There have been interesting moments at this stadium involving these 2 teams. I hope there are a few more(positive) in this match up.

Similar

Rotherham seem to be relying on lucky breaks to beat teams this season, much like the Alex. They are 2-3-2 through 7 games, but their 2 wins came thanks to a late slip by a Chesterfield defender to see Paul Mullin go through to score and then last week at Northampton when the same player scored a penalty. They, like the Alex, haven't been involved in a game where the result was a multi-goal win or loss. They've never been 2-0 ahead in a game and have only trailed 2-0 once. These 2 teams feel eerily similar. I wonder if that will still be the case at full time?

Referee Watch

David Rock

He'll never shake off the 2019 Cambridge game, but I honestly think he's been solid in Crewe games ever since, so perhaps it's time we all moved past it? Especially given he's given the Alex penalties in each of their last 3 games. I wouldn't him making it 4 in a row tomorrow.

2026-27 Record: 5 games(3 League One, 1 EFL Cup, 1 National League), 16 yellows, 1 red, 3 penalties

Last Game: Boreham Wood 4-1 Harrogate Town, National League, Saturday 19th September 2026, 6 yellows, 1 penalty

Crewe Alex Record: 2-3-2, 9 yellows, 1 red, 4 penalties

Injuries/Absences

Rotherham

Rotherham seem a bit beat up at the moment. Kieran Ngwenya and Brandon Cover are away on international duty. Jamie Jellis, George Sebine and Klaidi Lolos have all missed games recently and on top of that, Fabio Tavares and Ewan Otoo were both forced off with injuries on Tuesday against York, so they too are doubts.

Crewe Alex

The Alex will be without Calum Agius, who is away on international duty. Reece Hutchinson remains out and Conor Thomas, well, who honestly cares at this point. Aside from that though, hopefully the rest of the team is good to go.

Team

The big question Bell has is does he stick with a similar XI to what we saw last week? Does he show faith in the fact Gibson scored and Tabiner assisted against Shrewsbury and hope Lankester has found his form after his 2 goals on Tuesday? It would be a big risk, but then with Holicek likely to have to continue in midfield a while longer due to Lunt's lack of fitness and Agius not available, who else starts in midfield or on the wings?

As baffling as it might sound, do they have to basically stick with the same XI that began against Shrewsbury? I honestly think they might have to. I suppose one change could be bringing in Thibaut or McNeill and going to a 4-4-2, but would he really be that bold to do it in an away game? They won't go 3-5-2 I wouldn't have thought due to the lack of specialist wing backs. Frustratingly, I think it'll be pretty much the same again.

Score Prediction

Whilst Tuesday's display did lift me hopes up some what, I'm not at all convinced that this is some corner turning moment for the Alex. I really hope it is. A win would be such a big boost of confidence for everyone, the players, management and fans. They are facing a fairly average looking Rotherham side who's numbers have been boosted by 4 penalties in 7 games.

If the Alex can avoid any silly defensive mistakes, then I think they can get a result. However, as much as I want to show some positivity, I think they will come unstuck here. I hope I'm wrong.

Rotherham United 2-0 Crewe Alexandra