Boss quick to praise his players and staff after promising run.

David Artell says that his nomination for the January Manager of the Month award is a reflection of how his players have worked and improved.

Artell is in great company on the short list as well, with Ryan Lowe, David Flitcroft and Danny Cowley all nominated for their team's form in League Two.

The Crewe Alexandra boss admits that he did not know that he was up for the prestigious award after his side collected ten points from five games in the opening month of 2019.

“I didn’t know because I haven’t been online or anything like that, ‘says David.

“It is nice though but it is not about me. I’ve said it before, it is about the players and this nomination is a reflection of what they have achieved. The trick is to be nominated between now and the end of the season every month because that would mean we would have a successful end to the season.

“We are in a much better position now than we were six weeks ago and we have to make sure we are in a better position over the next six weeks. We have to keep it going.”