David Artell has praised the job Steven Schumacher has achieved in succeeding his close friend, Ryan Lowe as manager of Plymouth Argyle. Our former midfielder chose to step up from his role as Lowe’s assistant to become a manager in his own right when Lowe was appointed manger of Championship side Preston North End back in early December.

Schumacher has continued to lead the club in their pursuit of a top six finish and Artell, who has got to know him well during their coaching course together, says that he has not been surprised by his early success as the boss in his own right.

The Crewe manager told the club’s official website: “I have got to know Schuy well because we are on the same course. He is a great bloke and knows the game. He is doing a really good job at a really good club and I am not surprised.

“I know he and his family are really settled in Plymouth and he understands the potential of the club and what can be achieved if they continue to head in the right direction. It is another sleeping giant if you like in League One.

“They are still going really well under Schuy and they will ask us a lot of questions with the players that they have but we have to come up with the answers to them. “