Steve says defenders are determined to improve our goals against column

Steve Davis says his defence are determined to keep the ball out of our net after conceding 38 goals in all competitions so far this season. The Alex though have improved in recent weeks and kept three clean-sheets in the last five games, as well as picking up wins against Preston and Bristol City.

The Alex kept a deserved clean-sheet against Bradford City on Saturday, limiting the chances for Bradford’s renowned strike force of Nahki Wells and James Hanson. Alan Martin, the recalled Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper did have to make one smart save to deny Hanson a headed goal in the second half.

Steve Davis told the club’s official web-site: “All the defenders have been disappointed and embarrassed by the amount of goals we have conceded.

“They are hurting and want to do something about it. They are determined to put it right and make us harder to beat and they showed that against Bradford.

“We were proud of the number of clean-sheets we kept as a Football Club last season but we have made too many as a team this season and they have been punished.

“They have worked hard at it, trying to put it right and hopefully we will have a few more clean-sheets this season. If we can remain tight at our end and start to finish off our chances better, then we would soon collect more points and move up the table.

He added: “A couple of wins would see us move out of the bottom four and looking to mid-table because it is still very tight.”