Crewe Alexandra

Last season was a real struggle for the Railwaymen as they finished in their lowest position in five years. The 2021/22 campaign was a complete nightmare and Alex Morris proved to be an unsuitable successor to David Artell. Morris bravely admitted the job was affecting his mental health and did a job swap with Lee Bell, who took time to get to grips with the job himself. Morris ended 28 years with the club this summer, taking on a similar coaching role with Stoke City. Bell meanwhile will be encouraging by a promising end to last season and it has given him something to build on over the summer. Optimism will be tempered however with the loss of striker and leading goalscorer Dan Agyei, who has joined Leyton Orient. It was expected but is disappointing nonetheless. Several influential loanees have returned to their parent clubs, but that market remains crucial to a club like Crewe. James Beadle was outstanding on loan between the sticks from Brighton & Hove Albion and his replacement Harvey Davies has signed on a season-long loan from Liverpool. Further additions are needed, especially in attack following the loss of Agyei’s goals. Striker Chris Long finally emerged from his injury nightmare with a glimpse of what he can bring to the side. Keeping him fit will be the challenge. Crewe Alexandra are the only non-Premier League club in the top 10 academies in the country, which is some accolade. The latest exciting talent is Joel Tabiner, an attacking midfielder who can also play on either wing. This should be his breakthrough season.