Alex boss wants to see an improvement in possession this evening against Oxford United.

Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says that he wants his players to be braver in possession after failing to pass the ball well enough against Portsmouth on Saturday. Pompey ran out deserved 2-0 winners at Fratton Park and their pressing game certainly made it difficult for us to retain possession for long periods, but Artell was a frustrated figure after his Alex side didn’t pass the ball as well as we can.

As the Alex prepare for another tough away fixture at Oxford this evening, the Alex boss said: “One of the main criticisms of our performance at Portsmouth was that we didn’t pass the ball well enough. That was one of the main differences to our usual good away performances.

“We have to be braver and bolder on the ball. That is the challenge every week, regardless of it being at home or away at Fratton Park. We didn’t get on the ball enough and show that courage in possession.

“That is the way I want my team to play. Crewe players have been brought up to play that and the players we get in have to fit into that style of play, that is why we bring them into the club because we believe they can do it and add to it.

He added: “I want our players to express themselves. Yes we have lost a few good players but the ones that have come in, either from in-house or outside are good players as well.”