Alex boss looking forward to opening day of the season at Highbury

Steve Davis believes it is always tough to play newly promoted sides at the start of the season but he will be looking to end Crewe Alexandra’s opening day hoodoo by picking up a result at Fleetwood this weekend.

Graham Alexander’s side won promotion via the play-offs last season and will be aiming to be ultra-competitive again at the higher level. Crewe open their League One campaign at Highbury this weekend looking for a first away win since 1994.

The Alex boss told the club’s official web-site: “Fleetwood have a number of experienced players and after winning promotion via the play-offs they will be looking to continue their progression. Graham will want to be competitive but he will also know from experience that this league is a real step up in quality.

“Fleetwood have progressed through the non-league and when they have that financial backing, those teams like Crawley, seem to do well. They have great resources there and Graham has put a good team together. We know a lot of their players from their time here, so it is a great game to start the season and I am sure it will be an entertaining game as well.

“The last time we went there, we were well beaten in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. That was a real disappointment that night because we were the holders. I did think the scoreline (a 4-0 defeat) did flatter them in regards to the overall game but 4-0 was still 4-0. We didn’t offer much in the final third and made some dreadful mistakes in our defending. We conceded some really poor goals that night.

“That has gone now and I don’t look back at that and think we owe them one. It was a difficult night but one we had to learn from.”