U21 Manager Alex Morris on Stockport Senior Cup defeat
Under 21's Manager Alex Morris admits he's learned a lot about his players after they were gunned down by a physical, experienced Stockport side in the Cheshire Senior Cup.
For many of his squad, it was a first taste of senior football against a side packed with ex-pros full of Football League experience and he admits his side found it difficult.
Morris told www.crewealex.net: "It was a difficult night but certainly a helpful night in terms of telling us where all of our players are at.
"Their senior, strongest team played, and it's a good level Conference North, but nonetheless it's four tiers below where our boys are aspiring to play - League One in our first team.
"A lot of our players had a real introduction to what senior football is all about, it was a real wake-up call. They're used to playing in nice sedate conditions in Under 21 football, so it was certainly beneficial in that respect.
"They learn a lot more from competitive games like that, it will stand them in good stead as a barometer to see where they're at. They've got to realise that they've got to be at it to have a chance of going into the first team."
Hear Alex Morris' thoughts in full on Crewe Alex Player below