David Artell was a delighted manager as his Crewe Alexandra side showed the other side of their game this afternoon to record a 1-0 win over Walsall. Eddie Nolan scored the only goal of the game just after the hour mark to seal our first three home points and promote us to 6th in the table at this early stage.
Following a 1-0 win at an atmospheric Alexandra Stadium, Artell said of his side: “It was a tough game and we thought it would be, but I was especially pleased with the way we stood up to it. We showed the other side of our game today and it was a hard fought League Two game.
“Walsall played direct and they threw everything they could at us but we had 11, 12, 13 men who stood up to that and won us the game.
“In possession that was the worst we have been this season but out of possession that is the best we have been. We were good defensively and other than their early chance in the opening minutes, I don’t think Will has had a save to make. They didn’t make any other chances that I can remember.
“In contrast their goalkeeper has made some great saves and was probably their man-of-the-match. He made one great save to deny Pixie. We should have scored more but the pleasing aspect for me was the way we defended properly. We have ground out a 1-0 win and if we can do that 15 times this season then we are in for a half decent season.
“We had to make sure to defend well and we have done and we dealt with their big lad coming on.
On the goal, the gaffer said: “It was a good finish from Eddie and I am not sure if he was offside or not. I will have to look at it again but I am not sure who got the final touch before he tucked it in.
On Lancashire’s red card, he said: “I won’t be drawn on what I think about that. I will just say I think the referee was spot on. One door closes and another one opens for someone else. That’s football.”