Crewe Alexandra boss looking for right response from his players.

David Artell wants to see a reaction from his Crewe Alexandra side as they head to promotion chasing Portsmouth this weekend. The Railwaymen were well beaten at Hartlepool last night and Artell will be aiming for a positive response at Fratton Park.

The Crewe Alexandra boss says his players will have to rise to the occasion in front of what is expected to be the biggest crowd Crewe will play in front of in League Two this season.

Ahead of the weekend fixture, Artell said: “You should only get influenced by big crowds if you let it.

“You could be playing in front of 170, it won’t make any difference unless your head and mind-set is influenced by the crowd.

“The key is using it to your advantage, using a big crowd as fuel for yourself, not as fear.

“If you use it as fuel, it’s great, you can get the best of yourself. That’s the way I use to do it. “