CREWE Alexandra take on Swindon Town this Saturday in their second league game of the season, having played a game more than their upcoming hosts who missed out on playing time at Colchester United last weekend.

The Railway men come into the game following a 2-2 draw at home to Mansfield Town and a League-Cup triumph at the Stadium of Light, where they managed to see off Sunderland in a penalty shootout.

Manager Lee Bell has already played around with his starting formation, playing a 4-2-3-1 against Mansfield and a 5-3-2 against Sunderland.

Having begun last weekend's draw with Mansfield in a 4-2-3-1, a second-half red card for the Stags allowed Crewe to pile on the pressure.

But before that, when both goals were conceded, Crewe's defensive midfielders were split apart and it left the defence open.

Therefore, his switch to a 5-3-2 against Sunderland made perfect sense due to how the wing-backs can offer width in attacking support and also a more compact shape in defence, combing with three centre-backs too.

A 5-3-2 will match Town and their use of wing backs as well as a three-back defensive set up.

Crewe also go into the fixture with a fully-fit squad, so Bell will have no worries when selecting his 11 on Saturday.

WHAT WAS SAID

Crewe's boss says he has a "selection headache" for this weekend's game after making five changes for the Alex's League Cup win over Sunderland.

The Railwaymen were full value for their victory on penalties after strong displays from a variety of fresh faces.

As a result, Crewe's boss says he has some difficult decisions to make for the Town trip.

Speaking to Crewe's media team, Bell said: “The players who came in have given us a right headache for Saturday, but it’s a good headache because that’s what we wanted them to do.

“Some will be happy and some will be disappointed, but that’s what we have put this squad together for – so that when we do make changes, we are still very competitive.

“Saturday will be a really tough game. They have a good manager and he has got some good players together, and we will have to be at it again.”

POSSIBLE LINE-UP

GK 1 H. DAVIES, RCB 6 L. OFFORD, CB 5 M. DEMETRIOU, LCB 4 Z. WILLIAMS, RWB 2 R. COONEY, LWB 3 R. ADEBISI, RCM 8 C. THOMAS, CM 23 J. POWELL, LCM C. LONG, ST 20 E. NEVITT, ST 9 C. BAKER-RICHARDSON.

PREVIOUS RESULTS

Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Swindon Town - April 2023

Swindon Town 0-1 Crewe Alexandra - November 2022

Crewe Alexandra 0-3 Swindon Town - November 2021

Swindon Town 2-1 Crewe Alexandra - February 2021

Crewe Alexandra 4-2 Swindon Town - December 2020