Crewe See Out The Year At Struggling Pirates

After yesterday's disappointing showing, it's straight on to the next game and a trip down to struggling Bristol Rovers on New Year's Eve.

Relegated from League One last season, Rovers were hotly tipped to make a quick return under the guidance of former Torquay boss Paul Buckle.

However, things have just deteriorated. Despite an ok start to the season with one defeat in five, they've managed to pick up just 15 points from the last 17 games and are currently in a run of just one win in their last eight league games.

Yesterday's 2-3 defeat at home to Plymouth, that after taking a 2-0 lead, has piled the pressure on manager Paul Buckle with fans increasingly vocal in wanting him out.

For the Alex, there is probably no better chance to put yesterday's demons to bed and quick. Yesterday's poor performance seemed to come out of the blue having looked like a resurgent Alex side under Steve Davis.

The least we can expect on Saturday now is a lot more energy from the men in Red and hopefully a return to form for the defence that was relatively solid under Davis prior to yesterday.

One man hoping the defence will be putting in a better shift is Steve Phillips, who makes his first return to Rovers since signing for the Alex. Phillips spent four years, making over 130 appearances, at Bristol Rovers.

Meanwhile, lining up for Bristol Rovers will be former Alex defender Danny Woodards, whose career doesn't seem to have panned out quite as expected since rejecting a contract at Gresty Road 2 years ago.

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