Well, I've read lots of people's opinions and it seems we're guaranteed a win against Swindon. After all, they've just lost the scorers of the vast majority of their goals, haven't they? However, people need to remember how tired and dilapidated the Alex are at the moment.
Consensus seems to suggest that Leigh won't be starting and so it will be the same people who struggled valiantly to win in the last two games. Now, a fantastic team spirit is one thing but the body can only take so much and pretty soon some of those bodies are going to start breaking down, perhaps into longer-term injuries.
At least, for this match, there will be 2 'new' bodies on the bench - both midfielders, in Leigh and Colkett so, perhaps, someone can have a rest after 60 or 70 minutes.
What formation will we play? It has been suggested we revert to 4-3-3 with Offord continuing to push into the midfield. If that was the case, who would the front 3 be? Obviously, if fit, Long is an automatic starter. But then we have two either/ors, Tracey or Rowe and CBR or Nev.
In terms of the former pair, it has to be said that Tracey has been a deadweight recently. He's lost either inclination or confidence, possibly both to beat his man. However, the only way to get those things back is by putting him into the team with a firm instruction to beat the fullback. Rowe, on the other hand, rarely does the job of an outright winger and sometimes 'disappears' further back. Yet Rowe, when he tries it, has got a shot on him and could score.
As for the other pair, CBR has been brilliant recently, but at the other end of the pitch. He has been carrying out his defensive duties like a natural. Unfortunately the same can't be said up front. He must be having a few restless nights about his striking performance against Mansfield having wasted 3 good chances including one sitter.
Nev, in contrast, is a workhorse all over the pitch, who, while technically not outstanding, always puts in a shift.
So, for Swindon, against my gut feeling, I would start with Tracey with instructions to pressure their (obviously weak) defence from the off. As I don't expect the pressures of the Bradford and Mansfield games on our defence, I would start with Nev.
Score? Well, I don't expect to get back to our scoring rhythm of earlier in the season but I do hope we can manage a couple. I don't expect a clean sheet though.
So a 2-1 win.
Crewe preview with better spacing so you can read it.
