The Gaffer

Steve Holland. Crewe's first-team coach is not the archetypal manager, having ended a very brief playing career to take up coaching at the age of 21.

His association with Crewe began in 1992 when he linked up with the club's renowned academy and, having secured the post of academy director, he was promoted to the position of first-team coach after former manager Dario Gradi ended his long reign as boss and became the Alex's technical director in 2007.

Holland fought his way through a tough first season last term, securing Crewe's survival by a two-point margin, but he lost his most valuable player this summer when young striker Nicky Maynard was sold to Bristol City for £2.25m. Another tough term may be in the offing.

The Danger

Anthony Elding. Crewe's big-money signing of the summer was Calvin Zola from Oldham Athletic, but it would be no surprise if Elding made an impression on his return to Elland Road tomorrow.

The striker joined Crewe in July after a strangely short career with Leeds, which lasted for less than six months after his transfer to United from Stockport County in January.

Elding made nine appearances and scored one goal for Leeds but was declared surplus to requirements by Gary McAllister at the end of last term and Leeds raised in the region of £150,000 from his sale to Crewe. He has already found the net three times this season.

The Form

Crewe's form to date has been similar to that of Leeds – solid in the cups but mixed in the league. Holland's side have reached the third round of the Carling Cup, earning a tie against Liverpool at Anfield, and are also into the second stage of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, but their league results show only one victory from four games.

That success came via a 2-1 win at home to Walsall, but Crewe's 2-0 defeat at Hereford United last weekend summed up their early inconsistency.

Holland's defence is leaking two goals a game at present and Alex currently lie fourth from bottom in League One.

The Odds

Crewe have won at Elland Road before – on New Year's Day in 2005 – and 9-2 is available about them doing so again tomorrow.

A home win is 8-15 with William Hill, who rate a stalemate as a
5-2 chance.

The Whistler

Trevor Kettle. The Berkshire official is an air traffic controller by trade and has been on the Football League's list of national referees since 2003.

One of his most high-profile appointments was as a linesman for the 2002 League Cup final, but the lower leagues are Kettle's bread and butter.

He last crossed paths with Leeds during their disastrous 4-0 defeat to Stoke City in October 2006, and he averaged four yellow cards a match during the 2007-08 season.