ADVER Sport's guide to Swindon Town's next opponent: Crewe Alexandra.

The Chalkboard

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:
Ryan Colclough

AFTER beating relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, Crewe have adopted a more adventurous approach in 2015-16.

Manager Steve Davis has added attacking players to his squad, in the shape of Billy Bingham and David Fox as well as Harry Wilson and Adam King on loan from Liverpool and Swansea respectively, and has deployed a 4-3-3 formation this term.

Ryan Colclough penned a new deal at Gresty Road over the summer and will likely form a front three alongside Brad Inman and Lauri Dalla Velle.

That has made the Alex much easier on the eye and they are not shy at getting forwards, although it has yet to bear fruit so far.

Crewe are yet to register a win in the six games they have played so far and have just two points to their name.

They will be desperate to put that right in front of their own fans on Saturday.

Likely Line-up

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

A Man In Form: Ben Garratt

IT SPEAKS volumes for how shakily Crewe have started the season that their goalkeeper has been their stand-out performer.

Young shot-stopper Ben Garratt was named Alex’s player of the season in 2014-15 despite missing the last three months with a fractured shin, and has picked up excatly where he left off this term.

Alex were totally outplayed by Port Vale on the opening day of the season but Garratt formed a formidable one-man wall to ensure his side finished with a point and has turned in a string of equally impressive performances since.

Town were unable to find a breakthrough the last time these teams met back in February and that was without Garratt between the sticks, so they witll have to be at their absolute sharpest to come away with anything from Gresty Road.

The Treatment Room

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:
Billy Bingham

MUCH like Town, Crewe are down to the bare bones this weekend, with injuries and international call-ups severley hampering the squad.

Billy Bingham will miss the match with a hamstring injury, with the midfielder having impressed for the Alex since signing from Dagenham & Redbridge over the summer.

Steve Davis will also be without youngster James Jones. The midfielder was Crewe’s breakthrough player of the season last term but has yet to feature in 2015-16 because of a shoulder problem.

Marcus Haber will be missing from the home front-line as he is on international duty with Canada, as is new loan signing Harry Wilson with Wales U21s, although the Liverpool youngster has not yet played for his new club.

Club captain Harry Davis  - son of manager Steve - is set to be included in the matchday squad for the first time this season after recovering from a knee injury, although he will likely be on the bench.

Form Guide

Wed, Aug 12
League Cup R1
3-1 Defeat v 
Preston (H)

Sat, Aug 15
League One
2-0 Defeat v 
Scunthorpe (A)

Tue, Aug 18
League One
3-2 Defeat v 
Coventry (A)

Sat, Aug 22 
League One
3-3 Draw v 
Bury (H)

Sat, Aug 29
League One
1-0 Defeat v 
Wigan (A)

Goalscorers

Brad Inman: 2
Adam King: 2
Ryan Colclough: 1

Discipline

George Ray: 2Y
Ryan Colclough: 1Y
Ben Nugent: 1Y

The Stat

It is 12 years since Swindon last won away at Crewe, they have scored just twice at Gresty Road in that time.