Steve says youngsters will only have benefitted from facing Championship club

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis says that his young players will only have benefitted from playing against Championship players on Tuesday night. Crewe lost 3-2 to Bolton Wanderers in extra-time to exit the Capital One Cup second round, but Davis says the experience will still have benefitted his young squad.

Steve Davis told the club’s official web-site: “The likes of George, Liam, Ollie and Billy would have only benefitted from playing against Championship players on Tuesday night. They will be disappointed not to have won the game after playing so well but they will gain great experience to play against the likes of Pratley, Beckford, Danns and Mills.

“Those players have played at a top level and cost a lot of money. It would have been a great experience for them. I thought Liam and Ollie showed great strength and muscle up against their midfielders and they would have learnt a lot. Billy was dangerous all night, twisting and turning and being a real nuisance up there.

“They are still early in their careers and to have the experience of playing against Championship players at this stage will only help with their development.”