Boss says sensible approach in pandemic means club's budget not greatly affected.

David Artell admits that the global pandemic has not affected the Football Club as much as many League One clubs and he believes that cut-backs in terms of squad numbers, budgets and wages will see some clubs move closer to us.

Following promotion from League Two, The Alex boss is working with one of the lowest budgets in League One but of course, as is our way, his squad is supplemented by a number of quality Academy graduates.

Artell will venture into the transfer market this summer to bolster and improve his squad and he says that we have to think-of-the-box and be shrewd in our recruitment to make us competitive in the third tier of the game.

The Alex boss told crewealex.net: “We have to retain value for money and invest wisely. We cannot afford to go out and buy a striker, who has played in the Championship and is on mega money.

“We know what the budget is and the resources we have. The pandemic has not greatly affected that or where we are. We have been sensible and remain realistic.

“There will be clubs who will have to restructure, they will have to cut numbers, reduce wages and possibly not go for those players they would usually go for at this time of the year. It may be that wages will have to move in line and come down.

“If a club’s budget is £8.3 million, which I know one is in League One then a 10% cut is three quarters of our budget. The only thing that does is restrict the quality they can bring in and brings them a bit closer to us in terms of competitiveness.”