Boss pleased with team's energy levels in pre-season opener

Steve Davis was relatively pleased with Crewe Alexandra’s first pre-season run out at Norton United. Goals from Mathias Pogba, Anthony Grant, Brad Inman and trialist Femi Orenuga gave Crewe a 4-0 victory in Staffordshire.

After the final whistle, Steve told the club’s official web-site: “I think we are ahead of where we were when we last came here last season. We looked brighter and sharper and maybe coming in for those two weeks prior to the first game has helped that.

“I thought we kept the ball relatively well and created chances. They looked fit and strong and passed the ball well. The surface is a good one but the grass was a bit long in places and a bit sticky but that is to be expected at this time of the year. We are always happy to come here.

“We also gave the younger players a chance to play and I was happy with the rotation in the team and it was nice to score some goals. We created a number of chances and could have scored a few more but I’m sure Pogs, Granty and Brad will gain some confidence from their finishing tonight.

“It is still very early on in the pre-season but it was decent and we have to go on from here and get even stronger and fitter.”