Previewing Burton Albion

The Railwaymen take on the Brewers tomorrow afternoon that could propel the Alex back towards the play-off places or leave us destined for a mid-table finish this season.

Albion are currently in lowly 22nd but with four to five games in hand over the majority of the league it is still feasible for them to make a play-off push. Unlike ourselves, some would say.

We go into this game on the back of six games without a win. The heroic performance against 10 man Bradford back in January was out last victory and we've since picked up a solitary point, not forgetting the fall from 3rd to 13th. The pressure is now on for Dario to turn things around.

Dario Gradi:

'Burton are currently down there but they have a lot of games in hand and could yet make a surge for a play-off place. They could be near them if they win the majority of their games in hand.

'We have a three-games this week and could be right back in it if we can win two or all of them.

'Neil (Baker) went to watch them at Northampton in the week and they had a terrific result. They are a very well run club and they are a team who are used to winning games. That will help them.'

Paul Peschisolido:

"Crewe are a bit of bogey side as far as we`re concerned but it`s a game we`re capable of winning if we show the spirit and resilience that helped us on Tuesday.

"We`ll go to Crewe with a set-up that I hope will prevent them playing their usual style of football.

"You can`t afford to allow them time and space with the ball because they`ll pass you to death, so we`ll try to impose our physicality on them.

"I suppose fatigue could be an issue because Crewe did not play in midweek and we have had a lot of games of late, but I think we showed at Northampton that the lads are prepared to throw everything they`ve got at it."

Dario is set to tinker with his team again and with Matt Tootle looking likely to be out through illness the defence is set for a new look.

Changes could include Pat Ada being move to full back with Adam Dugdale returning to partner David Artell in the centre.

Luke Murphy is due for a return to the side as Dario disbands his 4-2-4 formation that he tried out against Bury.

Up front, Dario looks set to return to his tried and tested pairing in Miller and Donaldson with Moore back on the wing.

There could be a place on the bench for returnee Ashley Westwood mk2... or is he mk1? Let's call him the Old Westy.

Likely team: Taylor, Ada, Artell, Dugdale, Blanchett, Murphy, Westwood, Bell, Moore, Donaldson, Miller.

Not looked anything like his old self since his return from suspension. Time for him to get back on the scoring trail and no better time than tomorrow!

The shocking piece of team news coming out of Burton is that Calvin Zola is injured. Yes, Zola is injured.

Deep breath.

Anyway, they are also missing full back Scott Malone through a thigh injury and defender/midfielder Aaron Webster, who turned down a move to Gresty Road in the summer, is out with a calf injury.

They are expected to welcome back defender Tony James who is likely to be partnered in the centre by Nathan Stanton, who will replace rested captain Darren Moore.

Albion will have new loan signing Simon Whaley available also.

Likely team: Legzdins, James, Boertien, Austin, Stanton, Corbett , Penn, Bolder, McGrath, Maghoma, Pearson

One of the many unfairly treated ex-Alex keepers but was he worth keeping?

We've only played each other three times in history. We are currently leading the way with two wins, both from last season, whilst this season's draw at the Pirelli completes the set.

So Burton have never beaten us. Not yet, anyway.

Referee will be Colin Webster assisted by Gary Hilton and Nigel Smith. Mark Astley will be fourth official.

Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Burton Albion

Away to Macc Town on Tuesday. Be there.

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