David Artell has told the club’s official website that his in-form players have all warranted keeping their places during our improved run.

Crewe’s seven game unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat by Exeter City on Saturday and Artell named an unchanged side for the fifth successive game.

The Alex boss says that the starting XI deserved to retain their places after an impressive run had seen us win two home games and draw two away games in that sequence.

He told us: “The lads warranted their places and there is thought that goes into every selection. We see how the players are in training, how their bodies are and how the opposition line up. It all comes into it and it isn’t just me, I discuss it with the coaching staff and then make the ultimate decision.

“There is thought into who starts, who is on the bench and who can come on and change the game. You have to go with your own conviction and trust the players that they fit and available.

“I always pick a team to win a game of football and the players that have started and come on had seen us go seven games unbeaten, so they have deserved to stay in on merit.”