Steve says team have to switched on from the start after being caught out by Macc
Steve Davis understandably doesn’t read too much in to friendly games but the Alex boss appreciates that his Crewe Alexandra side will have to improve their performance at the Moss Rose for the visit of the League One champions Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend.
Crewe were beaten for the first time in pre-season with our Cheshire neighbours Macclesfield scoring early on and then protecting their lead. Although Crewe did enjoy the lions’ share of the possession, we didn’t threaten the Macclesfield goal enough and disappointingly slipped to defeat. Win, lose or draw though friendly games remain all about players regaining their match sharpness after a lay-off.
Following the 1-0 defeat, Steve told crewealex.net: “I don’t like losing games that is for sure but we didn’t lose any points here. Everything is being geared up for the 9th of August and the new season.
“Sometimes it is not a bad thing to lose in pre-season because it gives everyone a kick up the backside and only reiterates that we have a lot of work to do. We will be increasing the intensity now. We have half way through the pre-season and we will be stepping it up.
“Of course, you want to win games and play well but we also learned a few things. We know we need a couple more in because we looked a bit threadbare with a few of them missing tonight.
“We are not looking for excuses and the biggest thing the players will learn from the performance is that our attitude and application has to be right from the start. It wasn’t and we got caught out. They scored early and then made it difficult for us to break them down.
“We had a lot of possession and popped it around well at times without hurting them enough. We know where improvement is needed and the players know they have to be doing the right things.”