David Artell says that the experience of playing non-league football has really helped Billy Sass-Davies’ come on over the last 12 months. The Wales Under-21 International made two league starts towards the end of the season, including the final game of the season away at Grimsby Town.
Sass-Davies, 19, has impressed on loan spells with FC United, Leek and Altrincham and Artell says that playing in that competitive environment has only enhanced his development.
Dave told crewealex.net: “We wanted to prepare Billy as a centre-half and that meant going out on loan. It was a great opportunity for him and he had a good run of games and it has helped him.
“He is a big tall boy, he has some skill as well and going on loan was a great experience for him. We stepped him up as much as we could and he did well for us when he came back.
“I gave him his debut against Newcastle in the Checkatrade and I have already apologised to him because it was too early. It was my fault and now going on loan and exposing him to competitive football has shown him that he can compete and he understands the harsh reality of football now.
“He went out of his comfort zone and the niceties of Academy football and Under-23s football and he did ever so well out on loan then when he came back to us towards the end of the season.”