Steve Davis wants us to tighten up against the counter attack.

Steve Davis believes his Crewe Alexandra side are more than capable of upsetting the odds again this weekend and could inflict a rare defeat on Justin Edinburgh’s in-form Gillingham side. The Gills are currently third in League One behind early pace setters Walsall and Burton Albion.

Crewe Alexandra would have to win their first home game of the season, but come into the game on a high after a hard fought 2-1 win away at Barnsley last weekend. 

The Crewe boss believes that we have to get the right balance between attacking and leaving ourselves short in defence if we are going to start picking up those wins at the Alexandra Stadium. He, like other managers, has seen a shift in more away teams prepared to play on the counter-attack to great effect this season. It is a trend that is occurring across all divisions.

Ahead of our home meeting with Gillingham, Steve told us: “It is difficult to figure out why we haven’t got that first home win. Our home record was decent last season but that can happen sometimes in football.

“It is becoming more common that away teams are enjoying success. Maybe it is because of the added pressure that comes with playing at home. You have to be on the front foot, attack and entertain. I understand that and you want to do that in front of your home fans but it is about getting that balance right.

“If you are on the attack and pressing for goals then you can leave gaps for the opposition to exploit. That has happened to us this season a few times and we have to make sure that we get that balance right.

“You want to push forward and look to take the initiative in the game but you also do not want to leave yourself vulnerable to the counter attack.”