Defender says these type of games is why he wanted to turn pro

Matt Tootle says there is no reason why Crewe Alexandra cannot get a positive result at the Ricoh Arena this evening in the first leg of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Crewe certainly go into the two-legged affair as underdogs, but Tootle says that our play-off experience and playing at Wembley last May only puts us in good stead for the challenge ahead.

Tootle, who signed a new deal yesterday to take him through to the summer of 2015, says it is imperative that the Railwaymen remain in the tie.

Matt told the club’s official web-site: “There is no reason why we cannot go to Coventry and get a good result. The most important thing in a two-legged tie is to make sure you are still in the tie. We have the home leg still to come which will give us a slight advantage.

“We enjoy these big games, that is what you look forward to as a professional footballer. There will be over 30,000 at their stadium and you can only look forward to that. We have played in the play-offs last season over two legs, so we know what to expect.

“We came through that and enjoyed it. This is another chance for us to play at Wembley, so the incentive is there for all of us. If we can play well then we can get a good result.

“I’ve never played at the Ricoh Arena, but it is an impressive stadium and will be a great experience. They have some good players such as Leon Clarke, who has come in and done really well for them and we know about James Bailey. He is a quality footballer, but we have some real quality as well.”