James Collins says players are improving as a defensive unit.

Crewe Alexandra’s first team coach James Collins says he has seen positive signs of us becoming tighter at the back. The experienced coach says that Steve Davis has targeted a much better defensive record after conceding 95 goals last season and Collins has seen signs of improvement during the summer.

Davis has worked on a 4-4-2 formation in most of the pre-season games but he has the flexibility to alter that depending on the opposition’s shape. The staff have certainly seen an improvement in defensive shape and whoever has played in the wide positions has worked back and is aware of their defensive duties.

James told the club’s official web-site: “We have done a lot of work in pre-season on the defending because we are all aware that we have to concede less goals.

“There have been signs of us becoming tighter at the back. Of course that will be tested when the season kicks off for real but they all know their roles and what is required of them.

“They are having a real go of transferring what we do in training into the games and some of the attacking patterns have been good, especially against Bolton.

He added: “They are still developing and there is plenty of room for improvement. They are learning on the pitch and having the likes of Lowey, Dagnall, H and Billy out there with them will only help them.”