Alex boss says battle for number one spot is just what he wanted

Steve Davis says the start his two goalkeepers have made to the new season will only present him with another selection headache this weekend. New summer signing, Scott Shearer, began the season at Fleetwood Town with Davis electing to go with the more experienced stopper for the opening day of the season at the Highbury Stadium.

As promised though, the Crewe manager gave last season’s Breakthrough Player Of The Season Ben Garratt his first outing at Barnsley on Tuesday evening in the first round of the Capital One Cup. Garratt made some good saves and his handling was sound as Crewe recorded their first clean-sheet of the season in a 2-0 win.

Steve said: “I wanted to give both goalkeepers a game each and they both did well. It was a close call at Fleetwood but I just went with Scott in the end because of his experience. I just felt he would have more of a voice away from home.

“I was always going to play Ben at Barnsley and he was very good. His handling was good and nothing got away from him. He was unlucky not to start the season because he was outstanding for us in the second half of the season.

“He knows what he has to improve on, his organisation and his kicking but he always works hard to improve and he is a fine young goalkeeper.

“I wanted that competition for the number one spot and I believe I have got it.”