David Artell believes that his Crewe Alexandra side will face a tough test against Northampton Town this weekend because Keith Curle’s side have a ‘bit of everything’.

The Alex boss says the contest will differ greatly from last weekend’s more tactical game against Exeter City, but he knows that Curle’s side will ask questions of his team.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Northampton will be a different proposition than Exeter, we know that but they will present a different challenge.

“They will be at times become more direct than Exeter but they are far than one dimensional. They have some quality and some skill. They have powerful players and physicality to them and we will have to stand up to that.

“We will have to be braced for that and be ready for those battles. They also pose a threat from set plays and crosses going into the box.

“We have shown that we can win those type of games. Lincoln tried it and we outplayed them on the day, Stevenage have tried it twice and we came through. Carlisle definitely tried it a couple of weeks ago and we won that one.

The boss added: “It is perceived as one of our weakness but I don’t think it is anymore. We have shown that.”