Alex boss delighted with central defensive partnership.

David Artell has praised the contribution of his two recalled centre-halves, George Ray and Ben Nugent after Crewe recorded their second clean-sheet in three games in the 5-0 win over Grimsby Town at the weekend.

After succeeding Steve Davis as manager last month, Artell immediately stated that it was a clean slate for everyone at the Football Club and that players would deserve their opportunities. Both Ray and Nugent have grasped that chance with both hands.

Ahead of our mid-week home clash against Wycombe, Artell said: “It is two clean-sheets out of three. A heavy defeat came in the middle of them at Exeter and that certainly wasn’t glossed over let me assure you, but in the two home games, they have looked solid and resolute.

“They have looked like proper defenders. There has been nothing exceptional, just doing the necessary things in a simple way. We are not asking them to do anything they can’t do. They just need to continue in the same way, from now until the end of the season.

“George and Ben have come back in the team with nothing to lose, because they had hardly played. They both had a point to prove and they are proving it with their performances. They have to keep that standard up now and play with confidence.

“I was pleased with our game management in the second half against Grimsby and making sure we got that clean-sheet. Zooms came off the bench and made a terrific challenge to prevent a goal. He followed in and got his tackle in and took a knock as well but it prevented a goal and we were 4-0 up at the time. The clean-sheet was as much to do with Zooms as anyone else.  

He added: “That is what we need. It isn’t about one to eleven or one to eighteen, it is about everyone, the entire squad, the staff, the fans everyone being in it together and making sure we pull in the same direction."