Crewe Alexandra were pre-season favourites to find themselves in the drop zone come May, and following 15 matches played in League One so far the bookies aren't wrong with the Cheshire side sitting ugly at the foot of the table having accumalated just ten points having won two League One fixtures since the start of the season.
In what is an odd statistic, both victories came away from home at Shrewsbury Town (1-0) and Barnsley (2-1), therefore a victory over the Blades will be there first at home this season! In last weekend's bout of matches they were defeated 2-0 at Blackpool.
Hayden White's first senior goal set Blackpool on their way to climbing out of the relegation zone as they beat League One bottom side Crewe 2-0 at Bloomfield Road. After a goalless first half, on-loan Bolton full-back White struck just after the hour mark to put the Seasiders in front. And Jack Redshaw made the game safe with three minutes remaining as he scored from the penalty spot after David Norris had been fouled by Chris Atkinson.
Crewe started brightly and came close to an opener after nine minutes but Brad Inman's half-volley from 18 yards whistled just wide. And the visitors went close again after 20 minutes but David Fox was denied when his strike was palmed away by Craig Doyle. Blackpool, looking to make it five league games unbeaten, had a chance through top-scorer Mark Cullen after 36 minutes but Ben Garratt easily held his sharp effort.
Garratt then produced a wonderful reflex save to deny Jim McAlister but moments later White fired Blackpool in front from the edge of the area. And a third straight defeat was confirmed when Redshaw kept his cool from the spot.
Brad Inman is set to add to bottom club Crewe's injury misery for the Sky Bet League One visit of Sheffield United. The Scotland Under-21 midfielder bruised a foot in last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Blackpool and heavy swelling means he is likely to miss the Blades' trip to Gresty Road.
Crewe have won only twice all season and vice-captain David Fox was this week ruled out for up to eight weeks with a cracked vertebrae sustained at Blackpool. "He (Cox) got a tackle and was flipped up in the air and landed awkwardly on his back and pelvis," Alex boss Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke. "The x-ray shows he's cracked a few vertebrae in his back and it looks like he'll be out for six to eight weeks at least." Meanwhile Harry Davis (knee) and Dave Richards (foot) are still a month away from fitness.
Fox was the stand-in skipper with Davis sidelined and Crewe boss Steve Davis says goalkeeper Ben Garratt and defenders Ollie Turton and Ben Nugent are under consideration to take the armband in the next few weeks.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Crewe Alexandra 1 Sheffield United 3
