David Artell has admitted that his Crewe Alexandra side have had a tough introduction to the new season with the number of away games we have had to contend with.

The Alex have played just twice at home this season and travel to Charlton Athletic this weekend before two more away games at Shrewsbury Town in the Papa John’s Trophy and League One.

The Crewe Alexandra manager is not using the hectic schedule as an excuse but he admits that it has limited opportunities to do work with the new players out on the training ground. Crewe are looking for their first win in League One at the Valley this weekend.

Artell told the club’s official website: “We have had a tough start. We have a number of away games and only two at home. We have travelled up and down the country and have three away games coming up as well.

“To have only two home games and one of them, the first game of the season and not in the middle of those games can be difficult when you are looking to build momentum. That is just a fact and we know we need to be better at home and away.

“We have shown flashes but we need to be far more consistent. We need to take what we did at Elland Road for those 77 minutes into our league games.”