David Artell says that by creating healthy competition for places in his team has propelled Crewe Alexandra to another level in the second half of the season.

Crewe got into the final two games of the season on 50 points and on a run of 6 wins from our last 12 matches.

The boss was able to bring in reinforcements during the January window with the likes of Paul Green Shaun Miller, Jamie Sterry and Harry McKirdy all helping create more competition for shirts.

With George Ray, Ryan Wintle, James Jones, Chris Dagnall and Chris Porter all returning from injury, the managers’ options have improved considerably.

The boss told crewealex.net: “It makes a massive difference to have a number of players to choose from and it has been difficult to name an 18 man squad of late. That is what you want as a manager. You want to be making those tough decisions.

“The competition for places is good and the players now believe that if they do not perform well then there will be someone else looking to do so. They have to earn the shirt and everyone wants to play and be involved.

“It also helps that they know that they have each other’s backs out on the pitch. It only helps with the belief when you know that someone will come up trumps for you when you need it. That may be Ben making a save, a defensive block or someone like Shaun Miller coming off the bench to score a late winner.”