Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has been impressed by Darrell Clarke’s Walsall side this season and he feels that once the Saddlers find their feet again in League Two following their relegation then they will be major players again at this level.

The Alex host Walsall at Gresty Road this weekend and Artell says it will be another tough test against one of the relegated sides. Crewe lost 3-0 to Plymouth at home on the opening day and we also face Bradford City at Gresty Road in the first month of the season.

Crewe have been presented with a difficult start with long trips to Crawley and Newport coming up next week as well.

Ahead of our home game against Walsall, Artell told crewealex.net: “Walsall have a good manager in Darrell. He is not afraid to change formations in the midst of a game. He will make changes and they have athletic players.

“They are capable of finding feet and play the right way, so it should be a good football match. Walsall are finding their feet a bit at this level again but they are a very capable and dangerous opponent. They are a good team.

“They play with a big one and a smaller one up top, so they mix things up and we will have to defend well. We haven’t had a clean-sheet yet this season and that has got to start as soon as possible.

He added: “We will have to get our side of our game right and if we can perform like we have done in the previous three games then we can come away with a positive result.”