Alex boss Steve Davis says objective is to get through to the next round of the JPT

Steve Davis says the prime objective this evening will be to make sure that Crewe Alexandra are in the draw for next round of the Northern Section of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The Alex host Rochdale in the first round of the Football League Trophy and Davis says the result is all important as we try and ignite our season.

Crewe will also be looking to produce a much better performance than the one that saw us lose 5-2 in our last home league encounter against the same opposition. Although Crewe looked a threat in the final third of the pitch, Rochdale’s Matty Done scored a hat-trick for the Dale in an impressive display from them.

Ahead of this evening’s game, Steve told the club’s official web-site: “The main aim in any cup tie is to get through. Of course, the performance is important but the result is the most important thing.

“We want to get through to the next round. It was the same against Bolton and we didn’t quite manage that in the end. We want to get through and give ourselves a boost ahead of our next game which is the home game against Port Vale.”