Boss says competitive culture means players are pushing themselves in pre-season.

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis says that he and his coaching staff will continue to challenge the players in regards to their fitness levels.

The Alex manager has created a league structure of test results to create a competitive environment inside the dressing room. The coaching staff are looking for the players to push themselves on to a greater level this summer.

Steve told crewealex.net: “We have created a competitive environment in relation to fitness because players respond to that and want to push themselves.

“We had a good of who was going to be in the leading group anyway. We observe them and make our own judgments on who the fitter players are. We know.

“There is a list to show the players where they stand. It is then up to the players to react and discuss that between themselves. The facts and times don’t lie and we want them to use that to become better.

“We hope that they will look at the table and individuals will tag on to those doing better and push themselves on. They have to go through that pain barrier and test themselves to become fitter.”