Boss says there were positive signs to take from first friendly win at Congleton.

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis was pleased with his players endeavour during their first pre-season game of the new season. Playing two different sides in each half, the majority of the Crewe squad were given some game time and four trialists were given a chance to impress with the manager still looking for a goalkeeper and left-back, as well as another central midfielder following Jamie Ness’ decision to sign for Scunthorpe United earlier in the day.

Following the 3-1 win at Congleton, the Alex boss told the club’s official web-site: “For the first game there were some positive signs. I thought they did fine and the intensity was good, especially in the first half. The second half team had a lot of young players in it and they are still finding their feet so that will be a good experience for them.

“We were trying to get on the ball and pass it through midfield and we had a lot of the possession without looking as threatening as we would have liked in the final third. The most important thing is that we have had a good run out, they have blown some cobwebs off and it will help their match fitness. I thought it was a good work out for them and we can take it that into the Alsager game tomorrow.

“They have worked hard physically with the double sessions we have been doing and we were pleased to see that things we have been doing on the training ground was carried into the game. That is all you can ask at this stage and the most important thing is that everyone gets through okay.

Billy (Billingham) and Adam (King) settled in well and wanted to get on the ball and pass it. That is what we want them to do and why we brought them in. They are both good footballers and want to make things happen and create.  “We could go with a more equal teams at Alsager and mix it up a bit tomorrow. I thought

“I thought Brad (Inman) was good. He worked hard and was a threat. He showed some real turns of pace and although sometimes his final delivery wasn’t accurate enough, he showed what he can be about. He showed some nice touches and was working back well defensively as well.

The boss added: “It was a great strike from Soulyemane. He was determined to impress tonight, as all trialists try to do, and when spun off and turned there was only one thought in his mind and that was to hit it. It was a fantastic finish and I just said to him at the end, that if he can keep showing things like that then he is going in the right direction when it comes to deciding his future. We will need to see more of him but he produced some good moments of skill and he was always trying to be positive.”