Steve says his group of players are beginning to show that they thrive under pressure
eve Davis admits that he has taken great confidence from seeing his players perform so admirably under pressure at Port Vale. There is always that little edge to a derby game and there was an extra incentive on Saturday’s game with Micky Adams’s side eyeing up a late run for a play-off place.St
Davis’s Crewe Alexandra needed the three points for very different reasons after slipping back into the bottom four following a mid-week win for relegation rivals Sheffield United at Gillingham.
Davis was delighted that his players took that extra pressure in their stride to produce one of our most consistent performances of the season when winning 3-1 at Vale Park.
With another game this evening against a Stevenage side fighting for survival at the bottom of the table, the Alex boss knows his players can handle the occasion at the Lamex Stadium.
Steve told the club’s official web-site: “We will be going to Stevenage this evening looking to be really positive again. The Port Vale result, and especially the performance has certainly given them the confidence to do that.
“We tried to take the pressure off the players by treating the Port Vale game like any other. The pressure comes from the outside and what the derby means to the supporters. We know that it is different because of that and if that brings an extra pressure then our players came through.
“I have nothing wrong with this group of players playing under pressure. I don’t mind it either as a manager. I think having that little bit pressure on your performance brings the best out of you.
The boss added: “If people think there is that little edge and pressure because of the league positions of the two clubs then I know this group can handle it. If you can channel that pressure then it can be used as a real positive.”