In focus: Crewe Alexandra

10 November 2020

Take a closer look at the latest facts and stats ahead of Town's Papa John's Trophy fixture with Crewe Alexandra.

Crewe Alexandra have had a mixed start to their Sky Bet League One season having won three games, drawn one, and lost six. The Alex currently sit in 18^th position in the league table following on from their impressive promotion last season.

So far in the Papa John’s Trophy, the Railwaymen have won both of their games. David Artell’s men secured a 3-2 win over Bolton Wanderers away from home and clinched a 1-0 victory at Gresty Road over Newcastle United’s under-21 outfit.

Name: Crewe Alexandra Football Club

Nickname: The Railwaymen, The Alex

Founded: 1877 (143 years ago)

Stadium: Gresty Road

Capacity: 10,153

Biggest win: 8–0 v Rotherham United (Division 3 North, 1 October 1932)

Biggest loss: 1–11 vs Lincoln City (Division 3 North, 29 September 1951)

Highest league finish: 11th, first division, 1997/98

Read Sam Ricketts' thoughts ahead of the tie...

Feature

Sam Ricketts previews Crewe Alexandra

The Manager – David Artell

David Artell took up the post as Manager at Gresty Road in January 2017 following on from an extensive playing career. As a former defender with the Alex, Artell made 82 appearances in red - scoring six goals. He captained Crewe Alexandra's promotion to Sky Bet League One in 2012 via the play-offs.

During an 18-year playing career, Artell made 495 first-team appearances for a total of 11 clubs. Towards the end of his playing career, Artell was presented with the opportunity to play International football for Gibraltar - making seven appearances on the world stage.

Artell embarked on a role within Crewe Alexandra's Academy as Operations Manager before he succeeded Steve Davis as the Alex boss. Artell also has a degree in forensic biology after he graduated from Chester University in 2010.

Goalkeeper – Will Jaaskelainen

Goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen signed for Crewe in August 2017, joining the club after leaving Bolton Wanderers. The 21-year-old is the son of former Trotters legend Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Since making his debut at home to Yeovil Town on Good Friday in 2019, Jaaskelainen has been the number one shot-stopper at the club and was the first choice keeper as The Alex secured promotion into Sky Bet League One during the 2019/20 season. Before breaking into the first-team, Will spent time out on loan with Loughborough Dynamo, Nantwich Town, Buxton FC, and Chester FC.

Defender – Omar Beckles

Grenada international, and former Shrewsbury Town defender, Omar Beckles joined Crewe this summer following on from his contract expiration at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.

The 29-year-old started his career at Millwall, before joining Jerez Industrial in Spain. He then played for a number of non-league clubs, including Kettering Town and Boreham Wood.

Beckles then moved to Aldershot for a solitary season, before a spell at Accrington Stanley. He joined Salop in 2017, spending three seasons at Montgomery Waters Meadow. Beckles was given the number 29 shirt at the club, and made his debut against Bolton in the EFL Trophy.

Midfielder – Charlie Kirk

One of the more skillful players in the team, Charlie Kirk is a handful for almost any defender. A product of the club's academy, Kirk made his first-team debut in 2016 against Rochdale and became a regular in the Crewe side.

Awarded the number ten shirt, Kirk was very impressive for the Alex as they secured promotion to Sky Bet League One last season, being named in the PFA Team of the Season. With an eye for creating goals, Kirk provided more assists than any other League Two player last season.

Forward – Mikael Mandron

Frenchman, Mikael Mandron signed for the club in the summer, joining from Gillingham. Starting his career in the lower leagues of France, Mandron joined Sunderland in 2011. After five years, and a number of loan spells away from the Stadium of Light, he left Sunderland for Eastleigh.

He only spent half a season in non-league, before signing for Wigan. His spell with Wigan didn't last long either, joining Colchester the following season. After two seasons with the U's, as well as a lone season at Gillingham, Mandron joined Crewe in the summer of 2020. Mandron also spent a brief period on loan with the Shrews.

League stats:

Results: W3 D1 L6

Win percentage: 30%

Average points per game: 1

Average goals scored per game: 0.8

Average goals per game: 1.7

Average shots per match: 10.8

Average possession: 50%

Fouls per match: 3.7

Offsides per match: 3.10

Top goal-scorer: Mikael Mandron - 3

Top Assists: Callum Ainley - 2

Most cards: Mikael Mandron 2

Most frequent FT score: 1-0 (3 times)

Match Reports

Match report: Cambridge United 0 Shrewsbury Town 2

7 November 2020

Town secure a spot in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup with a win over Cambridge United.

Shrewsbury Town’s Emirates FA Cup journey got off to a perfect start with the Shrews securing a 2-0 win against an inform Sky Bet League Two Cambridge United.

Charlie Daniels and Brad Walker were the pair on hand to notch long-range goals as they helped Town secure a spot in the second round of the competition.

Town started the game with attacking intent and nearly earned a spectacular first-minute goal. A loose bouncing ball fell towards Marc Pugh and the forward let off a powerful volley. Unfortunately for Town’s front man, his effort cannoned off the crossbar.

Ro-Shaun Williams made an important block for the Shrews in the 18^th minute. Idris El Mizouni was afforded space in the Town box but Williams cut across the box well to block the on-target shot.

Harry Burgoyne made a great reaction save four minutes later for his team. A corner ball came into Town’s danger area and the U;’s managed to get a man on the end of the ball. Burgoyne stuck out a limb to push the ball onto the bar from point-blank range.

Scott High was the next Salop man to cause problems in the U’s box. High got on the end of a well-worked cross from Pugh but was unable to generate any power on the ball to trouble shot-stopper Dimi Mitov.

Town were creating chances despite an even game. Pugh had the best of the opportunities as the forward nearly put Town in the lead in the final moments of the half. Pugh turned well to strike a bouncing ball but Mitov did well to parry the ball away.

Town came out for the second-half on the front foot and made pressure count within two minutes. Charlie Daniels picked up the ball inside the U’s final third and struck a powerful low shot into the corner of Mitov’s net to give Salop the breakthrough lead.

The home side gave Town a scare late on in the game. Hannant connected well with a shot from just outside the box but fortunately for Town, the ball kept on rising and cleared Burgoyne’s bar.

At the other end, Brad Walker made it two with a stupendous strike from distance. The midfielder lined up a shot from range and saw the ball nestle in the top corner of the net.

Walker’s contribution was the last meaningful action of the game as Town secured a spot in the next round of the competition.

United: Dimi Mitov, Kyle Knoyle, Jack Iredale (Tom Knowles, 77), Greg Taylor, Luke Hannant, Harrison Dunk, Robbie Cundy, Idris El Mizouni (Andrew Dallas, 76), Adam May (Wes Hoolahan, 66), Harvey Knibbs, Hiram Boateng.

Subs: Callum Burton, Harry Darling, Andrew Dallas, Wes Hoolahan, Leon Davies, Tom Knowles.

Town: Harry Burgoyne, Ro-Shaun Williams, Brad Walker, Aaron Pierre, Charlie Daniels, Scott High, David Edwards (Ethan Ebanks-Landell, 82), Ollie Norburn, Josh Daniels (Ryan Barnett, 68), Daniel Udoh, Marc Pugh (Matt Millar, 90).

Subs: Deyan Iliev, Matt Millar, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Sean Goss, Ryan Barnett, Shaun Whalley, Jason Cummings.

Referee: Peter Wright

Assistants: Ian Smedley and David Hunt

Fourth official: Oliver Mackay

Bookings:

Dan Udoh was shown a yellow card for a pullback in the middle of the pitch.

Greg Taylor was shown a yellow card in the 65^th minute for kicking the ball away after a stoppage.

Ollie Norburn was shown a yellow card for clipping the heels of a U’s midfielder in the 78^th minute.

Ticket News

Match passes: Cambridge United

5 November 2020

Match passes are available to purchase for Town's away Emirates FA Cup clash with Cambridge United.

iFollow passes are now available for supporters who are wanting to watch Town's Emirates FA Cup game against the U's

Purchase your match pass here!

Never used iFollow before? Here's our comprehensive guide to make sure you don't miss a kick this season.

iFollow - A step-by-step guide

Shrewsbury Town would like to clarify that whilst iFollow sits on the Club's website, the service is provided by a third-party company on behalf of the EFL. For support, Town fans should contact the below avenues:

Email - ifollow@efl.com

Live Chat – Available by clicking the speech bubble icon that will appear on the Club website during the match

Shrewsbury Town will not be able to supply any technical support and encourage all supporters struggling with the service to contact the above support systems.

Standings

Read Sam Ricketts' thoughts ahead of the tie...

Sam Ricketts previews Crewe Alexandra

League stats: