Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell says that his dressing room is buoyant and looking forward to this weekend’s top of the table clash against Exeter City.

Artell appreciates that it is still very much early days in the new season but he says that these are the kind of games that you want to be involved in.

Ahead of the visit of the Grecians, Artell said: “The players have trained well and are ticking over. We have worked on a few things that will hopefully make us better and we have prepared in much the same way we prepare for all our games.

“It doesn’t matter if it is Cheltenham, Exeter or Manchester United, we prepare to try and win the game.

"This is only a big game in that it is 1st v 2nd because of the what the players have already achieved. You have to get the results and then the bigger games come along.

“I am sure the players have a spring in their step. There is no reason why they shouldn’t after a decent result and performance last week and where we are in the league table.

“They will be looking forward to it and I am sure they want to be involved in the big games. How you decide what is big is up to you. It’s not the Madrid derby is it, but it is important because they are all important. We want the three points and want to go to the top of the league.

“I hope that this isn’t the biggest game of our season and it isn’t the biggest one in some of our players’ careers. Our senior players have played in much bigger games than this one and we will approach it like any other game.”