Steve Davis aims to take pressure completely off his players

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis says the approach will not change for this weekend’s crucial encounter with Preston North End. The Alex boss and his staff will continue to prepare in the same manner, focussing on the win we will need to safeguard our League One status.

Crewe Alexandra do not want to be to too reliant on results elsewhere on Saturday with a win over Simon Grayson’s side virtually guaranteed to keep us at this level.

Steve told crewealex.net: “We will approach the Preston game in much the same way. We don’t want the build-up to be different because the players can sense that and it can play on their mind.

“We don’t want to cause unnecessary anxiety amongst them and make sure they are only focussed on what we need to do. It is another cup final for us but we approached the play-offs and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final in the same manner.

“We had the players as relaxed as possible and we have a number of players here who have been involved in big games. They are battled hardened to it and our record has been good in the big games. We have lost just one in the second leg against Coventry when we had a 3-0 lead.

They have shown they can cope with the pressure on them and whatever happens on Saturday, it wouldn’t be the fault of the players who play. It is what happens over the course of the season and the supporters know that this group will go out on Saturday and do the very best they can.” “Our focus is on us having a good performance. Defending as well as we have in recent week and adding that clinical edge to our attack.