Crewe travel to third placed Wycombe still searching first away win

David Artell says that the high-energy levels of Wycombe Wanderers typify what their manager Gareth Ainsworth was as a player.

Crewe travel to face Ainsworth’s side, who are currently third. They are just a point behind Sunderland, who occupy the automatic promotion place behind early leaders Wigan Athletic.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Alex, who are still seeking that first away win the league.

Ahead of the trip to Wycombe, the Alex boss told us: “I recently saw Wycombe play Gillingham and they were two up inside seven minutes and it was virtually game over. They are a good team and have good players.

“They play a high-energy game and are effective. They reflect what Gareth was as a player and they were in the Championship last season, so will be expecting to be there or thereabouts again this season.

“We will have to match their intensity and try and get that full 90 minute performance. We haven’t had that this season.

“I thought the performance was much better against Sunderland than it was against Fleetwood but we played well in patches again. We played really well until their first goal but that was another 25 minutes and that has been the story of our season so far.

“We have got to strive for that full 90 minute performance and we know we can do better. “