David Artell says that on-pitch discipline will be vital if we are going to emerge victorious in the first of the Cheshire/Staffordshire derby clashes this weekend. Artell will reiterate to his players the importance of remaining control in what is usually a super charged atmosphere.

Crewe won 1-0 at Vale Park last season thanks to Chris Dagnall’s winner on the half an hour mark, but Port Vale gave themselves a mountain to climb just minutes later when Michael Tonge caught George Cooper with his studs up.

Ahead of the derby clash at Gresty Road, David told us: “The old adage is to play the game and not the occasion and it is true. It is very important because it is hard enough to win games with eleven men never mind ten.

“You cannot dismiss the fact that there is an extra edge to these games because of the rivalry but it is important to keep players on the pitch.

“If you take the Old Firm games there is more often than not a red card and that team usually goes on to lose the game.

The boss added: “The message before they go out will be just that, to keep calm and try and play our football. If we can do that then hopefully our quality will show in the end.”