Squad train on Gresty Road pitch

Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis wanted his players to have a change of scenery and try and get more accustomed to the playing surface at Gresty Road following a disappointing home display against Oldham Athletic. The Crewe Alexandra first-team squad trained on the first team pitch ahead of tomorrow night’s League One clash with Notts County.

Steve explained to the club’s official web-site: “We had the players in yesterday to start the recovery process quicker. I haven’t done that a lot this season but felt with the game coming up on Tuesday it was important to get their recovery done as soon as possible and have them back out there.

“If we had lost at Gillingham then they would have probably seen coming in on a Sunday as a punishment, but it wasn’t ever going to be that. We just wanted to make sure we gave ourselves the best possible preparation for the Notts County game.

“I just wanted the players to have a change of scenery so we came up to the ground. I wanted them to get accustomed to the pitch because they don’t see it in the week and then have to play on it.

He added: “We have had a training session on it and that has given them the chance to assess the bounce of the ball because we have struggled with the pitch for much of the season. “