Ben Garratt has told the club’s web-site that this Crewe Alexandra team will be better off in League Two after having a year of experience. The Crewe number one admits that it took a bit of time to adjust to the different style of play in the fourth tier, as some teams were certainly more direct and physical.

The Alex stopper, who was an ever-present last season, said: “It is a competitive league and a tough one to get out of.

“There have been some big clubs going up but the likes of Coventry and Port Vale have come down, so it will be just as competitive.

“Some teams play a different style of play. Some were more direct and more physical, but they can play as well. There are some very good teams and players in League Two and it is tough.

“It took a bit of time to get used to it and we know that we have to be more defensively organised and earn that right to play. We know that if we can keep clean-sheets then we have players of ability who can score goals. We shared the goals around last season and will be looking to do so again.

“I think we improved and have certainly learned from the experience.”