Boss prepares for Pompey visit as Alex look to get heavy defeat out of the system.
Crewe Alexandra host promotion hunting Portsmouth at the Alexandra Stadium this evening and the Railwaymen will be aiming for a real positive reaction after beign beaten 6-0 by Oxford United on Saturday.
Portsmouth are currently 5th in the League One and have recently replaced Kenny Jackett with the Cowley brothers following their previous stints with Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town.
Ahead of tonight’s 6pm kick-off at Gresty Road, boss David Artell said: “Oxford were in the play-offs last season. Portsmouth were right up there with them and are so again this season. Wigan, who we play on Saturday, were in the Championship last season, so we know there are no easy games.
“That is the nature of the beast when you go up a division and you have to be right at it or you will get found out at this level.
“There are no poor players, which you can sometimes find on the odd occasion in League Two. They are all good players before you start. Now, they may have a bad performance but they are good footballers.
“They are some real big clubs in this league and Portsmouth are certainly in that category. Like a host of other clubs they will be looking to get up to the Championship again.
“All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and we all know that there has to be a vast improvement on Saturday’s performance or it is going to be a long night.
He added: “The challenge is there, it is as simple as that and we have rise to it again. You have to in this league, every single game.”