David Artell has said that it is his responsibility to make his Crewe Alexandra squad one of the fittest in the division. The Alex boss knows that a tough but enjoyable pre-season is imperative to make sure that the players are equipped to go the distance in a gruelling nine-month season.

Crewe have already got one pre-season game under their belt with the majority of his squad getting 45 minutes of game time during our 4-1 win over Nantwich Town on Sunday. Most of the Alex players will be aiming to get 90 minutes or so as part of tonight’s double header at Witton and Ashton.

Artell told crewealex.net: “I spoke to one of the senior players the other day and he told me that he felt the pre-season had been tough but fair, tough but also good and that is what you want to hear as a manager.

“You have to get the running and the sharpness into them without killing them and you have to do so they get some enjoyment out of it and for it not to be too repetitive and boring.

“You hope to inspire them and I hope they get that out of it. It has been done and we are structured as we can be, so they get their rest and downtime in, as well as the tactical and technical stuff.”