Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell says that it is totally unacceptable that his side have conceded 11 goals in the last three games. Crewe went down 4-1 at Meadow Lane and the Crewe boss knows that we have to stop conceding soft goals if we are to get the points we will need to move up the table.

Following our fourth successive defeat, Artell told the club’s official website: “I think that with the amount of the ball we had we haven’t created as much as we should have. We were the better side for the first half and hour and were able to quieten the crowd. We didn’t play as well for the last 15 minutes of the first half and the second goal before the break was soft.

“I didn’t think we were outplayed and looked dangerous at times but their third goal was massive for them and from our point of view it was far too easy.

“The last 20 minutes, we were chasing the game and were exposed on the break. We changed and went for it, to try and get back into the game. We had the three forwards on and had Kirk and Ainley playing at wing-backs. We also put Dan Barlaser on as well because we wanted to see if we could get a goal and get back into it. They have added a fourth goal in the last minute but we were chasing the game and got done on the counter attack.

“I would rather have a go and go down fighting. Some would say we were ambitious or foolish doing that but we came here trying to get something from the game and didn’t want to settle for a 3-1 defeat.

“We are always on to the players about being ruthless in both boxes. We got a goal through Shaun Miller early on and had other chances but we certainly weren’t ruthless enough in our defending.

“The number of goals we have conceded in the last three games is unacceptable. That cannot go on. You can only do that through hard work and practice. You only get better at something by practising and practicing properly. It is up to all of us to get ourselves out of the hole we have been digging for ourselves. We are all in this together. Everyone has to stick together to turn it around.”

The Crewe boss also apologised that the fantastic 1,500 Crewe fans were not acknowledged well enough at the end of the game.

Artell said: “I can only apologise to the fans for that.  That shouldn’t happen and I will make sure it doesn’t. We are usually very good at that but we haven’t been today. I would like to apologise and can only say it is down to frustration and disappointment. 

"The fans were very good for us today and they made some great noise in their end. I am just sorry we couldn't give them more to cheer this afternoon."