David Artell believes that his Crewe Alexandra have been moving in the right direction since the closure of the transfer window and he wants that progress to continue at Fleetwood this weekend. Crewe are still aiming for their first away victory of the league season and Artell says a repeat of last season’s 2-0 win at Highbury back in April would be the perfect way to start.

Crewe go into Saturday’s game on a run of just one defeat in eight games.

Artell told the club’s official website: “We had won one win in our first five games up to deadline day and since then we have had one defeat in eight, so that is making progress. There is still a long way to go and we need to become more consistent. We need to become more consistent in the games.

“There are plenty of things still to work on but we are swimming in the right direction and we are all helping each other out.

“I think we are getting better week on week and stronger and fitter. We have needed a bit of time and that is what you need as a manager. We had a promotion season and sold our best players and that is how this club continues its sustainability.

He added: “All games are tough but we feel as though we have a good squad. They are perhaps not at the level we were last season but when we get there, and I’m sure we will then we will have a very good squad.”