tatereverton

tatereverton

16th July:
Pre Season Friendly - Quorn 1-4 Crewe

20th July:
Pre Season Friendly - Alsager 0-2 Crewe

21st July:
Doudin Signs In!


Robert Smith today completed his first signing since becoming Crewe manager. In came Swiss striker Charles Andre Doudin from La Chaux-de-Fonds for a fee thought to be in the region of £60k.

Doudin will be a name unknown to most Crewe fans, but Smith was quick to assure them that he is confident Doudin will bang the goals in for them.

In respone to questions about further signings, Smith remained tight lipped, but reports on the grapevine suggest transfers for a Goalkeeper and Left Midfielder are in the pipeline.

22nd July:
Smith confirmed today, that scout Glyn Chamberlain had accepted an offer to move to Derby. It was also announced Crewe were one of the clubs interested in Seth Johnson, who today decided against rejoining his home town club, in favour of a crack in the SPL with Gretna.

tatereverton

23rd July:
New Scout On Board

Robert Smith moved swiftly to fill the gap left in his scouting team by bringing in well respected scout Bobby Roberts from Oxford. Smith went on record saying "Bobby was one of the first people i got to know in football, so when i needed to find a new scout, there was only one man for the job. His record proves he has an eye for potential."

Pre-Season Friendly - Crewe 2-2 Charlton

Crewe marked there first home friendly of the season with a well deserved 2-2 draw with Charlton, which also marked a goal for new signing Doudin. Smith let it known to the local press he was delighted with Doudin's goal and the result, but was disappointed at letting a 2-0 lead drop with 10 minutes to go.

"It was a great performance by the lads. To go out there and match a team of Charltons quality shows the potential my team has. Im delighted for Doudin to get the goal and im sure theres more to come. Even though its a gret result, the lads are gutted they conceded two in the last 10 minutes, and even though its a downer, i wont yet them dwell on it."

tatereverton

24th July:
Finnish Stopper Arrives!


Crewe completed their second signing in days with the arrival of Goalkeeper Mikko Vilmunen. The keeper signed from Drogheda for £26k has signed a 2 year contract with the club. Vilmunen is expected to go straight into the team as first choice stopper.

Upon announcing the signing, manager Smith was delighted with his new player "Mikko was the first player i got scouted when i arrived here, and i firmly beleive we have got ourselves a top quality keeper here."

Smith wouldnt be drawn into discussing an alleged enquiry from Stoke for midfielder Gary Roberts.

26th July:
Pre-Season Friendly - Crewe 0-0 Ipswich

Crewe had to hang on for dear life today, with Ipswich dominating the play. Crewe's cause wasnt helped with the 52nd dismissal of Chris McGready who will now miss the start of the season.

Smith "That wasnt pretty, but im thrilled with how resolute my team defended. Chris knows better than to get sent off in a friendly, so we'll just see what the FA throws at him."

31st July:
Pre-Season Friendly - Crewe 1-3 Liverpool Res

Crewe's final pre season game, saw them finally get beat, after a thoroughly entertaining game. After the game, Smith confirmed Liverpool are in talks about sending a few kids on loan to the club as part of the relationship the clubs have. "Rafa was on the phone to me, and he just basically confirmed he was looking into the idea. To be honest, if all their kids are as good as the ones playing today, i dont mind who he sends."

£160k bids for Gary Roberts by Leicester and Carlise are rejected by Crewe.

tatereverton

1st August:
El Zhar Signs On


Crewe today confirmed the season long loan of Nabil El Zhar from Liverpool. The Winger / Striker is thought to have a bright future ahead of him, and is looking forward to first team football. Sky Sports understands that upto 3 more Liverpool youngsters may be joining Crewe on loan with other possibilities thought to include Damian Plessis and Kristian Nemeth.

2nd August:
At a press conference today Smith moved to clarify transfer rumours circulating about. "It is true we accepted an offer from Accrington for Neil Cox, but personal terms couldnt be agreed. As for Roberts and O'Conner, there have been enquiries, but ive found them laughable to be honest."

3rd August:
Today's Carling Cup first round draw pitted Crewe up against Preston North End in one of the ties of the round. The match will be played at Gretsy Road, with Crewe hoping their fans can be the 12th man.

8th August:
Fon Williams Leaves On Loan


Crewe Keeper Owen Fon Williams today joined Burscough on a 3 month loan. Manager Robert Smith said the deal was in the players best interests, and hopes it puts the player in the shop window for a permanent transfer.

Smith also confirmed he has made an offer to take Insua and Nemeth on loan from Liverpool. "It is true, weve made an offer. Im not holding out much hope though when top teams from Spain are interested in taking them on loan. Crewe or Villareal, you decide."

In a final point, Smith confirmed that Striker Ryan Lowe has dislocated his jaw in training and will be out for the best part of a month. "Ryan was definitely pushing for a starting place at the weekend. Its a blow for the lad to get injured with the season just days away.

tatereverton

11th August:
Crewe v Bristol Rovers (League 1)

Pre match odds - Home Win (5/4) Away Win (7/4) Draw (11-5)

Line Up

Vilmunen
Woodards
McGready
O'Donnell
Jones
El Zhar
Roberts
Schumacher
Lynch
Maynard
Doudin

8 mins - Crewe 1-0 Bristol Rovers (Maynard)
Throw in from the left, played to Doudin, threads it to Maynard who places in from edge of box

32 mins - Crewe 2-0 Bristol Rovers (Doudin)
Picks up the ball on half way line, runs forward, smacks it in from 25 yards.

Half Time - 2-0

55 mins - Crewe 3-0 Bristol Rovers (El Zhar)
Well worked down the left, cross to back post, El Zhar to put it home.

Full Time - 3-0

Manager Comment - Great performance by the lads, couldnt have asked for anything more. Bristol made us raise are game and we did.

Fedorico Roma Fan

Nice going mate, keep up the good work! good signings especially doudin!.

P.S i see my layout has been copied again ;)

WozzaWolves

Good story so far mate! Keep it up!

Fed, my layout isn't completely the same as yours, i've put more detail in and customised it :P

scholesy18

Superb story so far mate keep it up, look forward to the rest if its all like this =)

Current Game :-
Zenit St. Petersburg 07/08 RFPL Winner

tatereverton

15th August:
Crewe v Preston (Carling Cup)

Pre Match Odds - Crewe (9/4) Draw (9/4) Preston (Evens)

Line Up / Team News
El Zhar ineligable

Vilmunen
Woodards
McGready
O'Donnell
Jones
Bopp
Roberts
Schumacher
Lynch
Maynard
Doudin

Half Time 0-0
Full Time 0-0
AET 0-0
Pens 6-5

Manager Comment - The boys did me proud. We edged the game today and probably deserved to win in normal time. Shame the injury Lynchy picked up looks like keeping him out for a month or two. Were a bit short in that department as well, so i may look to do some business.

And Fed, your story and layout was my inspiration.

tatereverton

16th August:
Roberts Exchange Off


Crewe today confirmed a swap deal with Barnsley involving Gary Roberts and Brian Howard has collapsed. Speaking to the media, Crewe manager Robert Smith had to say "The deal is off for reasons i wont go into. Brian Howard would have been a great signing due to his ability to play on the left, but we havnt lost Gary which means just as much. The lad will make it in the premiership one day, so the longer we can keep him the better."

Smith also confirmed vertern defender Neil Cox has again turned down a move to Accrington Stanley and that his ambitious offers for Liverpool duo Insua and Nemeth had failed. "Yeah, they decided to give us a miss, from what i know Nemeth is off to Betis and Insua off to Newcastle."

18th August:
Crewe v Luton (League 1)

Pre Match Odds - Crewe (6/4) Draw (2/1) Luton (13/8)

Line Up / Team News
Lynch and Lowe injured.

Vilmunen
Woodards
McGready
O'Donnell
Jones
El Zhar
Roberts
Schumacher
Moore
Maynard
Doudin

3 mins - Crewe 1-0 Luton (Doudin)
Long ball down the left, Doudin picks it up, cuts inside and beats his man before smashing it into the keepers near post.

12 mins - Crewe 2-0 Luton (Doudin)
Effort by Maynard rebounds off the bar and Doudins there to make the most off the rebound.

19 mins - Crewe 2-1 Luton (Talbot)
Magical goal by Talbot. Controls a goal kick on the half way line, runs forward and unleashes a thunderbolt from the edge of the box.

Half Time 2-1

48 mins - Crewe 3-1 Luton (Maynard)
Low cross from the left back flicked in by Maynard.

57 mins - Crewe 3-2 Luton (Talbot)
Threaded ball from the left by Currie, Talbot runs on and shoots. Keeper blocks but only to Talbots feet who gently rolls in the rebound.

62 mins - Jones Off Injured / Baudet On

80 mins - Crewe 4-2 Luton (Doudin)
Long ball hoofed forward, Doudin races onto it, holds off his man, first effort is saved, but rebound is nicely slotted in from 10 yards.

Full Time 4-2

Manager Comment - Fantastic, brillant hat-trick for Doudin. Luton probably deserved a point, but my boys were lethel in front of goal today. This is going to be one of our hardest games off the season, so to win it is amazing.

Today also saw the draw for the 2nd round of the Carling Cup with Crewe getting an away trip to Premiership Derby.

tatereverton

25th August:
Gillingham v Crewe (League 1)

Pre Match Odds - Gillingham (5/4) Draw (11/5) Crewe (7/4)

Pre Match Press Conference

"My teams full off confidence, but were in for a hard game today. First away game off the season and weve got a few players missing. The rumours about me signing someone to strength the left side are true. Ive had a word with Wolves and we'll see what happens. Yeah, Sheff Utd did make an offer for Gary Roberts, but that was turned down without even a second thought."

Line Up / Team News
Jones, Lynch and Lowe injured.

Vilmunen
Woodards
McGready
O'Donnell
Daniel
El Zhar
Roberts
Schumacher
Moore
Maynard
Doudin

25 mins - Dennis Oli goal for Gillingham disallowed for offside

37 mins - Gillingham 0-1 Crewe (Maynard)
Shot from Doudin saved but parried to Maynard to tap in.

Half Time - Gillingham 0-1

49 mins - Gillingham 0-2 Crewe (Maynard)
Carbon copy of the first goal, only this time from about 2 yards.

52 mins - Gillingham 0-3 (Maynard)
Cross from El Zhar from the right, Maynard beats his man to the front post and hucks it in.

Full Time - Gillingham 0-3 Crewe

Managers Comment - No offence to Gillingham, but that was a walk in the park. We must have had at least 20 shots, and a good 60% possesion. Nicky was on fire today, and fully deserves his hat-trick. Its a team game, and my lads are playing for each other out their. Colin Daniel made his debut today, but you'd have never guessed judging by how well he played today.

tatereverton

26th August:
Maynard injury confirmed


Crewe manager Robert Smith confirmed that striker Nicky Maynard with be out for 2 weeks. "Unfortunatly he picked up a knock versus Gillingham and has a bit of brusing to his heel. Luckily its nothing serious and only a couple of weeks at most. Of course its a blow to him and the team, but we'll soldier on. Ive been planning on bringing in cover upfront anyway, so this injury shouldnt affect my plans."

29th August:
Derby v Crewe (Carling Cup)

Pre Match Odds - Derby (1/2) Draw (13/5) Crewe (9/2)

Line Up / Team News
Maynard, Lynch and Lowe injured. El Zhar ineligable.

Vilmunen
Woodards
McGready
O'Donnell
Daniel
Bopp
Roberts
Schumacher
Jones
Moore
Doudin

6 mins - Derby 1-0 Crewe (Papadopoulos)
Cross from the left headed home.

18 mins - Derby 2-0 Crewe (Papadopoulos)
Cross from the right flicked in.

35 mins - Derby 3-0 Crewe (Miller)
Defense cutting ball, Miller runs onto and slots home.

Half Time - Derby 3 - 0 Crewe

79 mins - Derby 4-0 Crewe (Savage Pen)
Push from behind going for header.

83 mins- Derby 4-1 Crewe (Doudin)
Worked down the right, crossed across goal and Doudin runs in back post to tap home.

Full Time - Derby 4-1 Crewe

Managers Comment - That separated the men from the boys, but my lads put in a shift today so i cant complain. Also got to remember we had a makeshift left side out today. We'll learn from this experience and i just had the players enjoyed it.

tatereverton

30th August:
One In One Out


Today seen quite a bit of transfer activity at Gretsy Road. Incoming was highly rated Irishman Stephen Ward on loan from Wolves and outgoing was Veteran defender Neil Cox who went to Stockport for £1k.

At a press conference confirming the 2 transfers Smith had to say "Ward is an excellent signing for us. I mainly plan to play him upfront, but his ability to play on the left will also be valuable. Hopefully if he performs, the transfer can be made permanant. As for the big man, he wanted first team football, so it was a good move for him. I wish Neil all the best."

31st August:
So Close Yet So Far

After a wonderful start to the season, Smith and two players, just missed out on the monthly awards. Smith was runner up in Manager of the Month, while Doudin took 2nd in the Young Player of the Month whilst also getting 3rd in Player off the Month. Finally Nicky Maynard was runner up in player off the month.

tatereverton

1st September:
Millwall v Crewe (League 1)

Pre Match Odds - Millwall (Evens) Draw (9/4) Crewe (9/4)

Line Up / Team News
Maynard, Lynch and Lowe injured.

Vilmunen
Woodards
McGready
O'Donnell
Jones
El Zhar
Roberts
Schumacher
Ward
O'Connor
Doudin

3 mins - Millwall 0-1 Crewe (El Zhar Pen)
Schumacher tripped just inside box. El Zhar slots home bottom right.

Half Time - Millwall 0-1 Crewe
Moore on / O'Connor off (Tactical)

75 mins - Millwall 0-1 Crewe
McGready Sent Off. Last man, pulled striker back. Free kick outside box.
Moore off / Baudet on (Tactical)

94 mins - Millwall 0-2 Crewe (El Zhar)
Run down the left channel by Doudin. Gets into box and crosses it for El Zhar to bundle in.

Full Time - Millwall 0-2 Crewe

Managers Comment - Excellent result. We more than matched Millwall today, but to give them credit, they gave us a game today and put us under a lot of pressure when we went down to 10 men. I cant have any complaints about the red card, it was a fair decision. I feel our pen was a pen, there looked like contact, but i'll have to see the replays.

tatereverton

12th September:
Crewe v Swindon (League 1)

Pre Match Odds - Crewe (5/4) Draw (11/5) Swindon (7/4)

Line Up / Team News
Maynard and Lowe back in contention. Lynch still injured. Doudin misses out through international commitments.

Vilmunen
Woodards
Baudet
O'Donnell
Jones
El Zhar
Roberts
Schumacher
Moore
Ward
Maynard

4 mins - Crewe 1-0 Swindon (Ward)
Long ball down the middle. Through ball by Maynard and Ward smacks it in.

29 mins - Crewe 1-1 Swindon (Peacock)
McNamee plays the ball across the box. Peacock unmarked places it in.

32 mins - Crewe 1-2 Swindon (Cox)
Cross from the right. Header knocked back across box and falls kindly for Cox to put in.

45 mins - Crewe 1-3 Swindon (McNamee)
Free kick 25 yards out, deflected in off wall

Half Time - Crewe 1-3 Swindon
Ward off / Daniel on (Injury)

62 mins - Crewe 1-3 Swindon
Maynard Sent Off. Elbow in face off the ball.

80 mins - Crewe 1-3 Swindon
Daniel off / Rix on (Injury)

Full Time - Crewe 1-3 Swindon

Managers Comment - We were poor today, and the lads know it. Their disappointed with themselves, but we'll bounce back.

tatereverton

15th September:
Leyton Orient v Crewe (League 1)

Pre Match Odds - Leyton Orient (5/4) Draw (11/5) Crewe (7/4)

Line Up / Team News
Lynch and Daniel injured. Maynard suspended. Doudin returns from international commitments along with McGready who returns from a ban.

Vilmunen
Woodards
McGready
O'Donnell
Jones
El Zhar
Roberts
Schumacher
Moore
Ward
Doudin

4 mins - Leyton Orient 1-0 Crewe (Gray)
Ball played to Gray on the edge of the box, turns his man and fires home.

6 mins - Leyton Orient 2-0 Crewe (Gray)
Lovely diagonal ball to Gray in the box who brings it under control and places it home.

27 mins - Leyton Orient 2-1 Crewe (Doudin)
Cross from the left deflected near post to Doudin who scrambles it home

Half Time - Leyton Orient 2-1 Crewe

90 mins - Leyton Orient 2-2 Crewe (Doudin)
Hoofed clearnace. Doudin beats the offside trap, runs onto the ball, side steps the keep and scores.

Full Time - Leyton Orient 2-2 Crewe

Managers Comment - We got out of jail today thanks to Doudin. Leyton Orient probably deserved all 3 points so fair play to them. Hopefully the last few results will have given my boys a reality check so we can get back to winning ways.

tatereverton

19th September:
Maynard Ban Extended


Crewe can confirm today that the Football League have decided to extend Maynard's ban for 2 more games, following his recent red card for Violent Behaviour. Crewe manager Robert Smith had this to say "Were obvoiusly disappointed with this, but Nicky was in the wrong, so keeping in sport, we wont be appealing."

21st September:
Diamond Doudin


Crewe manager Robert Smith today went public with his admiration for his striking hotshot, with a much needed win wanted tomorrow versus Swansea. "Doudin has been an amazing signing for us. None of us expected him to settle in this quickly, but as youve seen, hes got an eye for goal as good as that of Michael Owen. In a couple of years time, i can see no reason why he wont be playing in the Premiership."

22nd September:
Crewe v Swansea (League 1)

Pre Match Odds - Crewe (6/4) Draw (2/1) Swansea (13/8)

Line Up / Team News
Lynch injured with Daniel returning. Maynard still suspended. Lowe makes first appearance off season.

Vilmunen
Woodards
McGready
O'Donnell
Jones
El Zhar
Roberts
Schumacher
Ward
Lowe
Doudin

7 mins - Crewe 1-0 Swansea (Roberts)
Roberts bursts into box right hand side, fires an effort across goal into the bottom corner

Half Time - Crewe 1-0 Swansea

65 mins - Crewe 1-0 Swansea
Schumacher off / Rix on (Injury)

72 mins - Crewe 1-1 Swansea (Duffy)
Ball played through, Duffy gets there first. Intial shot saved but rebound is placed in.

76 mins - Crewe 1-1 Swansea
Monk sent off for Swansea. Cynical foul edge of box.

Full Time - Crewe 1-1 Swansea

Managers Comment - Im happy with that. Getting a draw versus the 3rd place side is a decent achievement. On another day we may have won this but i cant complain. We'll get that win again some time soon.

*And thats me finished for the night.*

WozzaWolves

Wardy will be a great signing for you, your doing good so keep it up mate ;)