Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell says that his side will have to be as ‘mistake free as possible’ if we are going to get a positive result against Kenny Jackett’s Portsmouth side this weekend.

The Railwaymen suffered their joint biggest defeat of the season at Fratton Park, going down 4-1 back in November. We were hit on the counter-attack, conceding two first goals and then a third minutes into the second half that killed the game as a contest.

Artell told the club’s official website: “We were punished on the counter-attack at Fratton Park and they were excellent at it. We conceded two first half goals and then a third, so early into the second half and it was virtually game over before we had a chance to respond.

“We know we made mistakes and we know that when you play a team like Portsmouth with the forwards they have, that they will punish you. You have to be as mistake free as possible and not give them the incentive.

“It is a great game to look forward to. We don’t look at it with apprehension or fear, we know that we have to give a better account of ourselves than we did down there on the day.

“On the downside, it is just a shame that there will be no fans. We know how well supported they are. There would probably been 2,000 Pompey fans up and it would have been a brilliant atmosphere but it is what it is at the moment.

“We can remain mistake free, or as mistake free as possible, and can give a good account of ourselves in possession then we have every chance.

“It is a game I am really looking forward to and it will be another great test for us.”