David Artell says he is really looking forward to this weekend’s home game with Crawley Town because he expects a ‘proper football’ contest with Gabriele Cioffi’s side.

The Alex were somehow beaten 3-0 by the Red Devils back in November and Artell reiterated at the press conference earlier today that he had received an email from Crawley’s Italian boss praising the way we played that day.

Crewe spurned a host of chances in the reverse fixture and Artell is looking to put that right this weekend.

Ahead of our weekend meet with the Red Devils, Artell told us: “I did receive an email from Gabriele saying how well we had played at their place. It was very kind of him and speaks volumes of him but the last thing I want this weekend is another email like that one! How we didn’t win that game? Well, I am still shaking my head even today.

“It was a long journey for the fans and to got nothing for the way we played was hard to take, never mind losing by three.

He added: “I think it will be a proper football match this weekend because they like to play the right way under Gabriele and good luck to them. They have done well and they won’t be in any relegation trouble for me. They have enough in that team to make sure they will be alright and there will be teams in this league who will caught out because they cannot handle playing against teams who get the ball down and play.

“I am looking forward to the game and it should be one of the best games of football this season, if the conditions do not spoil it.”