Boss plays down pressure as we enter the business end of the season.

Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says that his players should embrace pressure in the last dozen games of the season. Crewe lost valuable ground in their quest to break into the top seven when losing 2-1 to Exeter City last weekend but Artell believes that his team are more than capable of going on another unbeaten run to keep those outside chances alive.

Ahead of this weekend’s home game against Northampton Town, the Alex boss said: “I’ve said it before, pressure is for tyres. It is. Do you think Hazard or Raheem Sterling felt pressure with their penalties? They probably did but they backed their ability and went there you go.

“I am not a big believer in pressure because it is often seen as a negative. I believe in mindset and using that pressure and challenge as a positive. I didn’t feel pressure 10 weeks ago, I don’t feel pressure now and I won’t in ten weeks’ time.

“You have to embrace the challenge and use it as positive. If you think about this or that too much or worry about things that you cannot control then you can lose focus on what is important.

“I don’t think the players are feeling any real pressure. If they are, put it on to me. I don’t want to feel pressure because when they think negatively it can make them tense or nervous in their performance.”