First team coach says it is interesting to see players reaction in adversity.

First team coach James Collins says the club’s management cannot fail to learn from adversity as Crewe head into Saturday’s local derby against Port Vale.

Collins believes that the management staff are learning more about their young players after a difficult season in League One and it will form the basis of their decision making on who to retain and rely on going forward.

Collins told the club’s official web-site: “I think you are always learning about the players and that is especially the case when things are difficult.

“It is always interesting to see how they react and who the real characters are in the group. You look out for those ones who are prepared to step up to the plate and show that fight for the cause.

“Losing games can become a habit and it can be difficult to turn that around quickly. You have to keep them going because it will turn at some point and when it does happen you have to use it to restore that confidence and belief.

“The players have played with a sense of the inevitable happening in some games. The Bradford game was a good example of that. We played really well in the first half, we were the better team, and we didn’t think there was anything in the game.

“They were at the top end going for a play-off place and we were bottom of the league. We make a slight mistake and end up losing the game 1-0.

James added: “The players have responded well from those types of set-backs, when they probably didn’t deserve to lose the game and they are a terrific bunch of lads here, who want to do right for the club.”