Callum Ainley feels the way Crewe Alexandra finished this season has only restored great optimism for next season. Ainley, 20, celebrated signing a new contract with the club last week by making his 100th career appearance in the 2-1 win over Cheltenham on the final day of the campaign.
Ainley had his most consistent yet at first time level, scoring five times from his 52 appearances in all competitions and the hot prospect believes that after a short break, the squad will be raring to go again.
Ainley told the club’s official website: “It has been good to end the season well and now we can move on to next season as a team. It is good to see the other lads signing up as well and we will be ready to go again after the break.
“We are all hoping we can push on and have a much better season than we did this season. With the players we have here, we know we should have finished a lot higher than we did. We are capable of competing for at least a play-off place and that is what we will be aiming to do next season.
“From a personal point of view, I want to become more consistent and contribute more to the team in terms of assists and goals. I know I can create more and score more than I do and that is something I will be working on.
He added: “I thought I did well last season but it was still on and off at times. There were good and bad games so the aim will be to have more good games next season. “