New summer signing Eddie Nolan says he has seen enough positive signs to suggest that ‘we could be right there up’ this season. The former Ireland International was part of the Blackpool squad that won promotion from League Two last season via the play-offs and the versatile defender believes that there is enough talent in the Crewe Alexandra squad for us to be contenders.

Nolan has already played at centre-half and as a left-back in pre-season and he celebrated his home debut by heading home the third goal against a Stoke City XI on Sunday.

Eddie told iFollow the Alex: “I've had plenty of time to settle in and get to know the lads. I think we are looking well at the minute. We have some very experienced heads and some talented young lads too.

“The young players will need a bit of guidance at times so we'll all be helping each other out.

When we first came back there was a lot of running to get us back into shape, but since the first couple of weeks it has been more tactical to get us ready for the games.

We want to start the season as well as we can, so it's important to be as fit as possible. I think we have looked decent.

We're raring to get going. It is a very tough league and a lot of teams are having a right go financially.

Eddie added: “It's important to get some momentum going so you are not playing catch-up, because that's not easy. I think we will be right up there.”

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