Crewe’s impressive home record on the line as they welcome in-form Burton to the Alexandra Stadium

 

The Railwaymen’s 11-match unbeaten run at Gresty Road hangs in the balance when they host a resurgent Brewers side on Saturday afternoon.

Crewe Alexandra got back to winning ways midweek with a “comfortable” 1-0 home win over promotion-chasing Doncaster Rovers to hand interim boss and former club captain Andy Butler his first defeat since taking over from Darren Moore at the start of the month.

David Artell’s decision to revert back to a 4-3-3 formation following the 3-0 thrashing at Lincoln City last weekend was a instrumental call, as Mikael Mandron returned to the starting line-up – flanked by Charlie Kirk and Owen Dale – and scored his tenth goal of the season and first since boxing day.

Crewe have faced a tricky run of fixtures recently, playing four (Peterborough United, Accrington Stanley, Sunderland, Lincoln and Rovers) of the top-six in their last seven matches – picking up eight points.

Despite some inconsistencies on the road this season, the Alex boast the third best home record in League One (W9, D5, L3) –  behind only second placed Posh and fifth placed Doncaster – and have not lost a game at home since November.

The 17 matches played at the Alexandra Stadium so far this campaign have accounted for 67% of Crewe’s total points (48) and have a 0.94+ points per game increase compared to results at home (1.88) and away (0.94).

But Gresty Road’s ‘hard place to go’ reputation will face arguably it’s toughest test yet when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbiank’s red-hot Burton Albion visit on Saturday.

The Brewers recorded their fifth league win a row for the first time since 2008/09 Conference season with a 1-0 victory away at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.

Burton’s recent results rank them the most in-form team in the division recording eight wins in their last ten games and beating the likes of Hull City and Peterborough. Since Hasselbiank’s reappointment to the Pirelli Stadium on New Year’s Day, Albion have climbed off the bottom of the table and sit four points clear of the relegation zone in 18th place. 

The former Chelsea and Leeds striker has not made any radical changes to the team upon his return and has stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation Jake Buxton used before his dismal.

The main reason for Burton’s incredible up-turn in form under the new manager is their solidity at the back. Prior to the Dutchman being brought in, the Brewers had conceded 45 goals in the league, one of the worst defensive records. Since his first game in the dugout, Burton have only conceded 6.

In attack, Albion go for the throat with a direct offensive style. Often labelled as “hoof-ball”, with Bristol Rovers’ manager Joey Barton being their latest critic, Burton get the ball forward as quickly as possible by bypassing the midfield straight to the centre-forwards or wingers via long-balls from the back four. 

Defender Hayden Carter, on loan from Blackburn Rovers, has been a revelation since joining Burton in January and has been the key to Albion’s recent success. Conforming to their long-ball approach, the 21-year old puts up impressive numbers. He averages 8.18 per 90 (LP/90), with a success rate of 51.85 percent (LP%), as well as having a passing accuracy of 68.72 percent in total (P%) in the league.

In contrary to Crewe’s strong home record, Burton have picked up 54% of their points this season away from Staffordshire this season. The Brewer’s have picked up 20 points on their travels, compared to their 17 at home, and average 1.25 PPGA (Points Per Game Away).

When the two teams met in December, Crewe were bailed out by a Dale overhead kick to rescue a point with two minutes left on the clock, and another close encounter is expected this weekend considering their respective league streaks.

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