Boss explains that defensive midfielder is one you look to change when you our chasing the game.

Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell says that the decision to withdraw Ryan Wintle in the last two matches has purely been for tactical reasons. The club’s Player-of-the-Year has been substituted as Crewe have chased games against Portsmouth and Accrington Stanley and Artell says it is nothing to do with Wintle’s performances.

He explained to the club’s official website: “It is nothing to do with Ryan’s performances, although like all of them, there is more to come from him.

“It is not something that I have really thought about. You just make the decision with the way the games as going. It is purely tactical. When you are chasing the game and need a goal, then your defensive midfielder is one you can change.

“If you go on and lose 2-0 it doesn’t make much of a difference.

“The subs definitely made a difference at Oxford. At Accrington not so much, it didn’t change too much.

“Ryan is a defensive midfielder and let’s not forget that over the last 18 months, we have been winning games more often than not and then you certainly don’t take off your defensive midfield player.

He added: “I wouldn’t read too much into it.”