Steve says defenders have to go back to basics

Steve Davis has told the club’s official web-site that he wants his defence to go back to basics and do the simple things well. After what were two reasonably good performances at Notts County and then at Fleetwood in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy the Alex boss cannot believe that the club have been on the end of two successive 4-0 defeats.

Crewe failed to score when dominating the possession and creating chances and then conceded some simple goals that proved costly.

Games are not decided on stats, but Crewe certainly deserved better than they have got from away games at Meadow Lane and the Highbury Stadium.

Ahead of a tough game at Preston, the Crewe boss said: “We have had long days all week with no days off. We have all been working hard out on the training ground and we have gone through the DVD of the game from Tuesday.

“The players have responded well and have been good in training. They were all extremely disappointed to have gone out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday. We were the holders and we wanted to go as far as we could.

“The players have been frustrated because we have played reasonably well. We need to cut out the individual errors that were punished on Tuesday.

“Whilst we have gifted the opposition some goals and chances, they haven’t been doing that for us. You have to earn that luck but we haven’t had much.

He added: “We have to go back to basics with the defending. We have to stop taking unnecessary risks and play safe. We have to mark better and make better decision.”