David Artell has always believed that the months of November to February are always the toughest months of the season and with his Crewe Alexandra side now on 40 points following the 1-0 win at Shrewsbury, the boss is satisfied with the club’s positioning.

Crewe have equalled the number of points to that of Sunderland in the final play-off spot but those clubs in and around the Alex do have games in hand. Sunderland have three, Accrington Stanley five, Charlton Athletic one and just below us, the in-form Oxford United have four games.

Artell told the club’s official website: “I went to a talk from Pep Guardiola a few years back now and he was saying that the months through from November to February are the toughest in England. There is usually a lot of fixtures and the weather is not always ideal for playing attractive football.

“It is always tough and when you get someone like Pep telling you that, with the football knowledge he has, then you know. It was interesting because he was saying that it is tough for the players because they can’t yet see the prize at the end of it all or the beach. They both seem a long way off during those months and it is makes it tough.

“All you can do is work hard and remain consistent as possible and then maybe you will see the rewards available when you come into March and for the run-in. Pep was spot on and it is all about giving yourself that hope and platform to kick on.

He added: “That remains our focus and we have got to give churning out results and when you get a set-back like we did against Gillingham, you try and bounce back as quickly as possible.”