Boss says places up for grabs as Wembley talk put on hold

Steve Davis says he not allow an impending Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final against Southend United to interfere with his side’s league form. The Crewe Alexandra has re-emphasised that he wants us to continue to challenge on two fronts and is still eager for his side to push on towards the play-off places. A fine 2-1 at Coventry City on Saturday means Crewe still have an outside chance of reaching the play-off places if we can go on a similar run to last season.

Davis has made it clear to his squad that any talk about Wembley is put on hold until April and that they are playing for their places in the build-up to that Football League Trophy.

Steve told crewealex.net: “I won’t let the Cup Final affect our league form. It can do but I won’t let that happen because we want to challenge on both fronts and have certainly not given up on the league. Far from it, I’m looking for that consistent run and winning at Coventry is a fantastic start.

“We will fight until the end and it is not mathematically possible for us to make it. We have a chance in the league, we know it will be tough but we will keep going and do our best.

“If the players want to be involved in an exciting run-in then it is important that they don’t let their standards drop. There is a final on the horizon but if the players think they can protect themselves or takes thing lightly then they won’t be in the team. The team for the final could be very different from this one.

The boss added: “They are all playing for their places and I won’t let the league form be affected. I won’t be playing a weakened team the week before or anything like that. They will stay in the team depending on performances and results.”