Steve says Crawley win in difficult circumstances provides yardstick for fight
Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis is hoping this side’s ability to come through adversity against Crawley Town will provide the perfect tonic for the busy Christmas and New Year period. Crewe had to play with ten men for almost 40 minutes after Vadaine Oliver was, we though, unjustly sent off for two bookable offences, but came through thanks to a late winner from Chuks Aneke.
Steve was delighted with the real united spirit his players showed to keep going in difficult circumstances and he is hoping his squad will use that going forward. Crewe are still in the bottom four but are in touching distance of getting out of it if we can produce some good form over Christmas.
Ahead of a free weekend, due to our FA Cup exit to Wycombe, Steve said: “We needed that win and it was good to get going forward, especially when everything appeared to be against us. From going to thinking we had a penalty to go 1-0 up, we went down to ten men.
“The players regrouped and came through. They showed tremendous spirit in that game and that is what we will need going forward if we are to get ourselves out of a relegation scrap. They kept going, they kept fighting. We made numerous blocks and kept attacking trying to win.
“I thought we played some decent football and Chuks has managed to get himself into position to nod one home. At 1-0 we held on a bit, had a bit of luck but the pleasing thing was the way the players threw their bodies on the line. The shape was good and the defending was very good.
He added: “It was a real positive from adversity and we have to show that fighting spirit in every game we play. There has been a lot made about us now coming back this season, but the players showed that they can results in difficult circumstances and that was a massive plus.”