Crewe defender Michael Raynes says he is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces again when his old club Carlisle United arrive in South Cheshire this weekend – but that any sentiment will go right out of the window once the whistle goes at Gresty Road.
Raynes, 29, spent two enjoyable seasons at Brunton Park, but he elected to move to Crewe Alexandra in the summer to move closer to his family home in Manchester.
Raynes was a major part of the Carlisle side that narrowly lost out to Exeter City in last season’s play-off semi-final and although he still has a lot of friends in the United squad, he says that it will be down to business come 3pm on Saturday.
Raynes told iFollow The Alex: “We are back at home and it will be another tough game against a very good Carlisle side.
“They have some very good players and apart from a few that have moved on they virtually have the same squad that went close last season. The core of that team got to the play-offs and they will be just as tough this season.
“League Two is very competitive and Carlisle are better than their current league position indicates. Everybody can beat everybody in this league and you have to be bang at it every week.
“It is always a bit strange facing your old club but you have to think of it as 11v11. It will be nice to see some old faces before and after the game, but when the whistle goes it is back to business. There will be no sentiment from me and I’m sure there will be no sentiment coming from their side either. Football isn’t like that.”
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