Mansfield Town, LDV Vans, Preview

What we're aiming for

The last two winners of the LDV Vans Trophy have been neighbours Port Vale and seasiders Blackpool both from up North, Dario believes that Crewe can keep it here and win Crewe's first ever national compeition. With many teams who treat it like a nothing Cup and play their reserves to go out early(The winning team are usually upset at winning) means most of the good teams are out by the final, thats how Vale won it. With conference and Division 3 teams also taking part it could be just luck of the draw and ease your way through to the final or you could end up getting Cardiff, QPR, Wigan and Oldham. First though is the challange to get past a team who have only won twice in 12 games and only kept their first clean sheet, and conceeded less than two goals in a game, last weekend, Mansfield Town.
It wasn't long ago since we met the stags and it wasn't really the challange we were expecting. Five nil was the result and five different scorers as Hulse, Walker, Foster, Lunt and Jack all sent Mansfield home wondering what had gone wrong. After the dissapointing display against Mansfields fellow newcomers, Plymouth, we're choping we can recover from that and march through to the second round, hopefully with ease.
Dario has comfirmed that changes will take place despite wanting to win the Cup. Bankole is to get a game ahead of Ince to keep him match fit, while Walton had a short stay in the first team as 21 year old Richard Walker will take his place after a slight ankle injury. Ben Rix will be replaced by Neil Sorvel after Dario stating it's hardfor Ben to play more than 2 games in a week. Meanwhile Dean Ashton has joined up with England U-20s and John Miles is likley to take his place on the bench and possibly get his first piece of action since signing a year long contract.
CreweAlex.com's prediction is 4-1 to the Alex, if the players are up to it!