Ahead of tonight's game, we spoke to Crewe fan and member of The Railwaymen Podcast, Aaron...
Crewe are second off bottom. What’s gone wrong this season?
The loss of a lot of key players from last year; Ng, Pickering, Wintle, Kirk, Beckles and Dale, really hasn't helped. Then a tumultuous window with 2 new signings retiring has led to an unsettled side who are yet to find their footing.
How was your transfer window? Did you buy any big players?
Aforementioned sales, whilst maybe not the biggest fees out there, have been big for us. On the buying side Crewe are not a team who spend big, or at all now. We mainly brought in players on a free or loans.
If you continue in current form, how long do you give manager Dave Artell in the job?
Dave has a lot of good will in the bank after practically saving the team from going out of the league a few years back. Sure there are rumblings from more fickle corners of the fanbase, however the Crewe board have famously given a lot of rope to managers and even if this season ends in relegation I would be shocked if he wasn't the manager next season.
What are your thoughts on former Sunderland players Mikael Mandron and Callum McFadzean?
Mika came in and made himself a bit of a fan favourite last season with his scoring output. Mixed bag this season but I'm sure our fans would like to see more of him. as for McFadzean, its fair to say he hasn't had a decent run as yet. He hasn't replaced current starting LB Rio Adebisi in the first choice 11 and from limited minutes has looked to be okay; fine but not uprooting trees.
Which Sunderland player worries you the most?
Hard to look past Ross Stewart and his blistering start to the season, I expect he may cause us some issues. Plus there's always Aiden McGeady as one to watch. This is with the assumption Embleton will not be playing too.
Can any Crewe players cause us any danger?
Never say never in football. But its been a tough start to the season. If goals come it's likely to be from Mandron, youngster J'Neil Bennett or Scott Kashket (assuming those guys start).
What’s your score prediction for tonight?
Not a very optimistic Crewe 0-2 Sunderland.
Who will get the goals?
I'll say a Ross Stewart double.
And finally, where do you think both teams will finish at the end of the season?
I definitely feel Sunderland will be in the mix for promotion, but I'll say 3rd for another play-off fight. As for Crewe, well you've got to be optimistic haven't you? I'll take 20th at this point in time.
