Neil Baker says Saturday's disappointing home defeat to Northampton was two steps back after what was an encouraging away display at Bristol Rovers. Crewe slipped back in the old habit of conceding some poor goals and Baker has stated that the Railwaymen have to make it a lot harder for teams to score against us.

Crewe were guilty of conceding three set-plays, from which Northampton scored their goals via a free-kick, a penalty and a corner - a trio of goals that left the management team fuming in the dressing room afterwards.

Baker told the club's official web-site: "We have been saying too often this season that it doesn't take teams a lot to score against us. We defended poorly on Saturday, for all three goals. We have given away a free-kick in a dangerous area. It was the same at Liverpool with Michael (O'Connor) the culprit and he did it again.

"Not only is ill-discipline but it also gives the opposition a free shot at our goal. Then we have given a penalty away. If there was contact or not is irrelevant really, because we are continuously on at the players to remain on their feet inside the box.

"Then the lad has a free header at a corner, so they haven't done an awful lot to score three goals. It was a poor display on Saturday and after taking a step forward with the clean sheet at Bristol Rovers it is now two steps backwards again.

"Too many of our players were off the pace and none of them performed anywhere like they can. We need to be better than that and it will be back to the drawing board. We have a large squad here and it may lead to us tinkering with one or two."