Alex boss says squad players have given him food for thought

Steve Davis says that the performance of his players away at Crawley Town last weekend has given him food for thought ahead of our FA Cup tie at home to Sheffield United. Due to injuries, suspensions and illness, the Alex boss was working with his bare minimum eighteen players and came away from Sussex with a hard fought point.

The average age of the Alex team at Crawley was just 22 with full-back James Baillie making his full debut for the club and James Jones making his debut when being introduced in the second half. The recently turned 18-year-old George Cooper scored the Crewe goal in a 1-1 draw.

The likes of Jon Guthrie, Chris Atkinson, the fit-again Harry Davis and the on-loan Danny Haynes were all handed chances.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “I had to work with a limited group on Saturday. I have never had a week like it in my managerial career when we lost so many players in the build up to the game.

“We knew we would be without the suspended Anthony Grant and George Ray, but then we lost of players who had been playing with either injury or illness.

“I was forced to make a number of changes but it gave the others in the squad a chance and I thought they did well. I was pleased with the performance and the point we managed to get for our effort on the day.

“They didn’t do their chances any harm and I know that if I have to turn to them again then they won’t let us down.

Steve added: “We are in better shape this weekend than we were this week and I have more options to choose from.”