Baker says following relief of staying up, he is looking forward to the new challenge already.

Neil Baker says it took him almost a week of recovery to get over the final day drama against Bradford City. The club’s assistant manager says relief was the overwhelming emotion after Crewe finished out of the bottom four with just minutes to spare thanks to Gillingham’s comeback against Notts County.

.^thBaker says he felt drained after a long hard season but admits that after a week he was already looking forward to the fixtures coming out again on June 17

Baker told the club’s official web-site: “I think the season took it out on everybody and the final day was something I don’t think many of us had ever experienced before. It went down right to the wire and it was a relief more than anything in the end. We were all delighted.

“We didn’t accomplish it by getting the result we needed, but a season is over 46 games and over the course of the season we deserved to stay up. The fans at the awards evening were coming up to me and saying they couldn’t go through that again and I was telling them that we don’t plan to do that. Rest assured we didn’t want it to be as tight as that!

“Our aim now is to do better in this league. It is a tough league and is getting tougher but we were be working hard to improve in all areas.

“It was a difficult season for everyone, especially after the stat we made but we managed to get some players in to help us and we managed to turn it around. Everyone said we were doomed and we managed to do it.

“You do feel drained after a long season but after a week or so, I was refreshed and ready to go again. I am looking forward to the pre-season and the fixtures coming out again.

Bakes added: “That is the industry we are in. There are highs and lows and that is why we are in the game.”