David Artell has compared the start of a new League season to the feelings felt on Christmas Eve.
Crewe make their return to League One against Lee Bowyer’s Charlton Athletic side at the Alexandra Stadium this weekend and Artell believes that the encounter against the Addicks will be ‘one of our stiffest tests of the season’.
Artell says he and his squad are looking forward to the challenge of facing a side that were relegated from the Championship last season.
Ahead of our league opener, Artell told us: “There were two divisions between us last season so I would say Charlton could be one of our stiffest tests.
“These are the challenges and games we fought so hard to get out of League Two for. We are all looking forward to it and it is just a shame that we have to do it behind closed doors without our fans there behind us.
“I am sure the level is going to be better. I am sure the players are going to be that little bit sharper, quicker and athletic but we have that in our squad as well.
“All we can do is work hard every day to get to the standard, to get better and improve.
He added: “We are all on the same page here. If you aim for the moon, you might just hit the stars and that is what we are aiming for.”