Swansea Vs Crewe Preview

Swansea bounced back with style after the shock exit of the FA Cup last week with a convincing 2-0 win over relegation candidates Port Vale on Saturday.

In the rearranged fixture that was due to be played on the 5th January ; Crewe Alexandra will pay visit to The Liberty Stadium, knowing a loss against the league leaders will put more strain on their already perilous position. Sitting just 2 points outside of the drop zone Crewe could be in for a long evening .

Steve Holland 's side looked set to secure a point at 2nd placed Carlisle United on the weekend but for a 52nd minute strike from Cumbrians highly rated striker Joe Garner , consigned The Railwaymen to their 3rd defeat in 4 games.

Pressure has mounted on Holland as he looks to avoid the drop and has looked to secure vital fire-power with the possible capture of Forest Green Rovers striker Stuart Fleetwood ; for a fee thought to be £200,000. Subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms Fleetwood should sign for the Cheshire outfit , it is unlikely that he will be given clearance in time to play against Swansea on Tuesday evening.

The form of the two sides could not be more polarized as the league leaders look to go 8 points clear of Carlisle United and put some distance between themselves and the play off places.

Unfazed Roberto Martinez's side showed the poise of a winning side with a brand of free flowing football that has called many a league manager to praise the Liberty Stadium outfit. Martinez will be hoping that the plaudits will keep on rolling in come Tuesday evening.

Swansea City Manager Roberto Martinez:

'"Tuesday night's game is vital, massive in fact, because we've got two difficult away games after that at Doncaster and Forest." "I've got to try and make sure the squad is fresh. Fortunately we've got huge competition in the squad and nobody can afford to take their eye off the ball." "Crewe have set a fantastic example over the years on how to produce good players.They play the game the right way - and always have."

Andrea Orlandi is out of the fixture after sustaining medial ligament damage to his knee ; following the 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy southern section semi final.

Darren Way and Owain Tudur Jones are the other notable absentees whilst speculation is growing over the status of Dennis Lawrence as the defender was left out from the squad in the 2-0 win over Port Vale on the weekend with no reason given by the the club.

The Purposeful Winger:

Thomas Bulter produced a fine performance against Port Vale as the Liberty Stadium outfit went 5 points clear at the top of league one. Signed on a free transfer after his contract at Hartlepool United ran out, the former Sunderland man scored 2 of the 3 goals in the FA Cup giant killing of then Premiership outfit Sheffield United. At the start of this season Butler's time looked all but up with Swansea City but an injury to Leon Britton gave the industrious midfielder the chance to impress against Millwall in the Johnstones Paint Trophy. Butler did not disappoint and turned in a man of the match performance against The Lions. His ability to use his pace to trouble opposition defenders will prove vital.

Billy Jones is sidelined with a long term knee problem.

Byron Moore has been rulled out through illness.Crewe's new loan singing from Everton Patrick Boyle could be handed his Alexandra debut.

The Alexandra Defender

Defender Dan Woodards could be for a busy evening as free scoring Swansea City look to put themselves 8 points clear at the top of league one. Woodards will be hoping to contain the evident threat posed by the Swansea attack. The former Exeter City player was signed by The Railwaymen for £30,000 last year.He is firmly an itegeral part of Steve Holland's side.

The Form Book(based on previous 5 results)

Swansea City

DWWLW
Crewe Alexandra
DLWLL

Referee: Andy Woolmer
Assistants:A R Hendley and M G West
Fourth Official A P Bennett
Northamptonshire referee Andy Woolmer was promoted to the national list of officials in 2004 He was . Andy refereed the FA Sunday cup final in 2004 and has vast experience in officiating major events such as the league cup final in 2004. So far this season Woolmer has officiated 23 games has given a astounding 68 yellow cards but has astonishingly only sent off one player Stockpot county's defender Michael Raynes.

Swansea Vital predicts a 3-0 win for Swansea City.

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Doncaster Rovers Vs Swansea City
Coca Cola League One
The Keepmoat Stadium
25th January
7.45pm KO

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