Boss praise after loan defender thrown in at the deep end
Steve Davis says he was full of admiration for Anthony Stewart after the on-loan Wycombe Wanderers defender made his full debut against one of League One’s outstanding strike forces. Crewe took an 81st minute lead through George Cooper before Jermaine Beckford equalised just two minutes later. Overall a point a piece was probably a fair result with Davis full of praise for Stewart.
The 22-year-old defender was drafted into the starting XI following an injury to Adam Dugdale and George Ray serving the first of his two match suspension following his red card on Boxing Day.
After the 1-1 draw, Davis said of Stewart: “I thought Ant was one of our best players on the day and we knew he was strong and athletic but it was a real test for him to come into a game against some of the best forwards in the division.
“It is always difficult to make a step up from League Two into League One but on his full debut he did really well. Now it would be about repeating that level performance and becoming consistent.
“I was just full of admiration for him for coming in when we needed him and equip himself as well as he did.
“His loan up soon and we will have to see down and assess the next step with him and with a few others that are out.”