Boss pleased with change in mind-set.

Steve Davis has told the club’s official web-site that the work the coaching staff and the players have undertaken in the summer in the art of defending is beginning to pay off.  Crewe have conceded just one goal in the last three games and that came via the penalty sport against a strong Doncaster Rovers side. Crewe went on to win the game 2-1.

Davis says that the back six has greatly improved this season and the work rate of forwards Ryan Lowe and Chris Dagnall has rubbed off on others.

Ahead of our trip to Grimsby, Steve said: “I think our defending has improved and that has been down to the work the staff and the players did in the summer. That has been the key and it is about us defending well as a team, right the way through.

“We focussed on trying to make us harder to beat and making sure everyone knew their jobs. We have still conceded some avoidable goals but we have also achieved some clean-sheets and that has given us great confidence.

“The back six were hopeless at it at times last season and is makes a difference to have players who can stop attacks and then start them again. The Academy players are getting to grips with the defensive side of things. They are learning and taking things on board more.

The boss added: “The front two obviously help with their work ethic. They don’t give defenders a seconds peace and that hard work rubs off on the other players.”