Alex back at home this weekend and boss is after same terrific support we had away at Shrewsbury.

David Artell says the Alex fans have been a tremendous help in what has been a tough start to the new season. The Crewe Alexandra manager told us that he used the attendance of 1,000 plus away fans at Shrewsbury as a key motivator in his pre-match talk and he believes their incredible backing at the New Meadow helped produce the best attacking display of the season.

Artell told the club’s official website: “The fans have been terrific for us. I can’t praise them enough. They have come in their numbers to the away games and have made such a difference.

“I cannot tell you how important they are. It makes a massive difference to any player when they come out onto the pitch to an atmosphere than when it is flat. The players raise their game for them. I was the same as a player and the fans have a vital part to play.

“They have been absolute fantastic this season and I hope that continues.

He added: “I used it at Shrewsbury. I told them that there are over 1,000 away fans here and they have come out of a pandemic and spent their hard earned money to travel to come and watch you. I told them not to let them down and I don’t think they did. They made sure they put in a performance for them.”