Steve wary of U's threat in relegation battle in Essex

Steve Davis is hoping that the club’s good form in Colchester can continue this weekend. The Railwaymen have won on their past five visits to Essex and came from 1-0 down at half-time to win at the Colchester Community Stadium last season. Of course, past results or performances count for very little when it comes to a new season and totally different opposition and Davis knows it will be another tough away assignment for his team.

The Alex will be hoping to build on the success of that hard fought victory at Vale Park two weeks ago and quickly banish the memory of losing 5-0 to the MK Dons last week.

Ahead of the trip South, Crewe boss Steve Davis said: “They are all tough games in this league, especially away from home and we will have to play well to get something from Colchester because they are down there with us and are fighting for every point as well.

“We managed to win there last season and our record against them down there has been decent, but on the other hand we didn’t play well at all against them at Gresty Road and were beaten 3-0 earlier in the season. As I’ve said after the MK Dons game, if you are not at it in this division you are in trouble.

“Tony (Humes) has come in there and changed things around. They are a very solid outfit and every time I’ve seen them they have been decent. They have just been inconsistent like us.

The boss added: “They have good pace in the team and create chances and they have some really good players. It is typical of this league, every team has players capable of hurting you and that is the case from the top to the bottom. It will be another battle down there like it was last season.”