Crewe v Dagenham - The Preview

Firstly, I'd like to start with introducing myself, my name is Billy Cove, I'm 17 years old and at Sixth Form full time. I had a blog last year which some of you may remember but after the close season I became rather pre occupied with my studies and haven't had time to return to blogging until now. Due to the poor state of my old blog, I have decided to delete it and start a fresh with this new one. I'm now back and dedicated to this blog where I will be aiming to post preview's and match reports of every Daggers match I attend as well as posting about other key footballing issues. As I am off to Crewe tomorrow for my 30th game in attendance out of the 33 competitive games the Daggers have had this season, I will start with my preview with tomorrow's encounter with Crewe Alexandra.

Tomorrow, the Daggers visit Crewe Alexandra FC in what is a new ground for me and my 42nd out of the 92 Premier and Football League Grounds. I am rather excited to be visiting the Alexandra Stadium or as it is most commonly known, Gresty Road as when you say you've got "Crewe Alex away tomorrow", it sounds proper football league. When I think of Crewe I think of their outstanding reputation of bringing quality young potential through their famous youth academy. There are currently two Crewe youth academy graduates playing in our top tier of English football in Fulham skipper Danny Murphy and ex Blackpool, now Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan. Crewe also provided legends of the English game such as Neil Lennon, Robbie Savage and David Platt a platform to enhance their careers. The Cheshire club have produced 27 internationals from their academy with other notable names being ex Liverpool Legend Bruce Grobbelaar, ex Leeds midfielder Seth Johnson and ex Norwich and West Ham striker Dean Ashton. All this success is mainly down to one man Crewe legend Dario Gradi. The Italian born manager has been involved with Crewe for 27 years where he managed them from 1983-2007, only to take over again from 2009-2011 and is now in charge of the youth academy. The 70 year old is literally Mr Crewe Alexandra and has been of great service to the English game.

Crewe Legend, Dario Gradi (MBE)

Recent Form

In recent times, Crewe, who are now managed by ex Northwich and Nantwich man Steve Davis currently sit 13th in League Two just 5 points off the play offs. Crewe have won 3 of their last 4 league games and look in decent form coming into this encounter. While, this may concern the Daggers, they seem far better equiped on the road this season as they have only won 4 times at home this season compared to their 7 wins away from Gresty Road. So far, the Railwaymen are showing signs of midtable mediocre with 11 wins, 3 draws and 12 losses.

After an outstanding Christmas for the Daggers where they took 8 points out a possible 12 with home wins to Barnet and Gillingham as well as draws away at high flyers Burton and Southend, the Daggers felt positive coming into the new year. Unfortunately, this confidence seems to have disappeared after losing in the six pointer to Hereford at home last weekend and getting thrashed 5-0 in midweek at the Den to Championship strugglers Millwall. The Daggers now sit 22nd in League Two and just outside the bottom two on goal difference as they are level on points with Northampton and Plymouth just below them.

The bottom half as it stands..

Previous Meetings

The Daggers met earlier in the season at The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium where they nicked a last minute winner to beat tomorrow's opponent 2-1. Crewe took the lead with 15 minutes remaining through striker Byron Moore only for late goals from ex Yeovil man Sam Williams and the versatile Richard Rose gave Daggers all 3 points. The Daggers may also seem a bogey team to Crewe with a 100% record against them with maximum points taken from the other two league meetings against Steve Davis' men. 

Richard Rose was the difference in the reverse fixture this season.

Team News

Crewe are expected to welcome back academy graduate strikers Shaun Miller and Ajay Leitch-Smith tomorrow while other academy boy Lee Bell and ex Wealdstone defender Carl Martin will defiantly miss tomorrow's battle. The Daggers welcome back on loan West Ham winger Cristiano Montano as well as ex Kettering boy Adam Cunnington and Rory Delap wannabe Exodus Geoghaghon. Star man Brian Woodall and injury prone striker Josh Scott are said to be doubtful with the experienced central midfielders Kevin Maher and Peter Gain defiantly out as are ex Lincoln midfielder Luke Howell and striker Sam Williams.

Crewe will be expected to start with the traditional 4-4-2 with notable players such as experienced centre half David Artell who Daggers fans might be remember as the ex Morecambe man to score the last ever goal at Christie Park for the Shrimps against The Daggers in the play off semi final two years ago as well as another academy graduate and centre midfield player Ashley Westwood who has made over 100 appearences for Alexandra and prolific Byron Moore scheduled to start. Still has been forced to make changes over the last few games but will be expected to stick to his guns in an attacking 4-3-3 formation with Montano and Green playing either side of Barbados international Jon Nurse. A midfield three which I hope Ogogo will be brought into with Rose to cover at right back will be the only other changes that may happen tomorrow.

My One To Watch:

This was a difficult choice with Crewe boasting so many potential stars in their first team but the one I have picked the popular striker Nick Powell. Unsuprisingly, another graduate from the youth academy Powell has represented England U16's and U17's, he was a real handful this year in his visit to Victoria Road. The exciting young prospect has made 22 appearences in all competitions for the Railwaymen and has scored 5 goals as well as receiving one red card this season. Doey and Mickey will have a real handful with the youngster who is in fact 10 days younger than myself which is absolutely frightening in my opinion.

Crewe Academy's Next Star

My Prediction
After last week, I am not going to make a score prediction but just my views on where the game will be won and lost tomorrow. I believe that over Christmas, our performances and results justified my faith that on our day we have the ability to match anyone in this league, therefore I believe we should never be written off by any of our opponents. With their indifferent form, I believe that if we put in a good performance anything can happen, I believe that the midfield three of Abdulla, Bingham and Green was found out too weak in the tackle last week and with Woodall doubtful, Green should be pushed back into his usual winger role with fierce Abu Ogogo put back into midfield and versatile Richard Rose to cover at right back. I believe with a little more passion and bite in the midfield, the Daggers are more than capable of pulling off a typical daggers away performance. Keep positive. Believe. Keep the faith.