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Crewe Alexandra

Odds: 20/1

Last Five Seasons 2005/06 - 22 (Championship, Relegated), 2004/05 - 21 (Championship), 2003/04 - 18 (Championship), 2002/03 - 2 (League One, Promoted), 2001/02 - 22 (Championship, Relegated).

2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Third Round vs Preston North End (a) - lost 2-1. Carling Cup First Round vs Lincoln City (a) - lost 5-1.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Billy Jones (striker) - 7 goals.

Players In Neil Cox (Cardiff City - Free), Julian Baudet (Notts County - Free), Ryan Lowe (Chester City - Free), Darren Kempson (Morecambe - Free).

Players Out Steve Jones (Burnley - Free), Stephen Foster (Burnley - Free), Kenny Lunt (Sheffield Wednesday - Free), Richard Walker (Port Vale - Free), Justin Cochrane (Rotherham United - Free), Adie Moses (Lincoln City - Free), Chris McCready (Tranmere Rovers - Free), Anthony Tonkin (Released), Juan Ugarte (Released).

Similar to Brighton & Hove Albion, Crewe Alexandra find themselves caught in between League One and the Championship. This level does not pose a problem, but the tier above is just too tough to compete in with such a restricted budget.

Following the club's relegation, a host of players have departed Gresty Road, including Northern Ireland international striker Steve Jones and defender Stephen Foster to Burnley and Kenny Lunt to Sheffield Wednesday on free transfers.

Striker Jones, who netted five goals last season, signed a three year deal at Turf Moor while Foster, signed a two year contract. The defender, also wanted by Barnsley, started 200 league games for Crewe since Road club after breaking into the first team in 1998. Lunt is also a Crewe veteran, starting over 340 matches for the Railwaymen since making his debut in 1997.

Manager Dario Gradi has bolstered his defence with the free transfer signing of veteran Cardiff City defender Neil Cox and Notts County's Julien Baudet, who found the net seven times last season.

More firepower is required but Gradi is not concerned after missing out on strikers Eddie Johnson and Gareth Taylor. He needs to solve the goal scoring problem which saw youngster Billy Jones finish as last season's top marksman with just seven goals.

The club are giving a trial to Mali international Abdoulai Demba. The striker previously played for Yeovil in 2002, scoring 10 goals in 32 appearances. Former Reading striker Bas Savage is on trial following his release from Bristol City as is French-born Moroccan midfielder Hassan Wissam, who was recommended to the Alex by their former loan signing Madjid Bougherra.

Verdict Crewe have proved time and time again they are one of the top sides when it comes to League One football and they are set for a place in the play offs next May.

About the Author

David Walker runs free bets and football betting systems websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.