Club youngsters will be in a different place physicallly in 12 months time and would have learnt greatly from Wigan experience.
Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell, believes that facing the physicality of a side like Wigan Athletic will only have enhanced the development of our young players in the squad such as 18-year-old defender Connor O’Riordan, new signing Tariq Uwakwe, Travis Johnson and midfielder Regan Griffiths.
Crewe remained in the game at the DW Stadium until James McClean’s deflected shot spun beyond Dave Richards to make it 2-0 on the 82nd minute and Artell says that facing players of his and others high calibre will only improve our own.
Artell told the club’s official website: “We know the quality Wigan have in their squad. You only have to see that they were able to bring Humphrys and Shinnie on.
“Humphrys has used his strength to outmuscle Connor in the build up to one of the goals but six months, 12 months down the line, he will be better prepared for that. He has only just come into the team and has played less than 10 games, never mind had the opportunity to play 10 months.
“That is all part of his development. It is the same with a few of them, the two full-backs are relatively young and inexperienced in men’s football, Regan is still finding his feet. It is going to be difficult for them at times but facing those types of teams and players is part of it.
“It can be frustrating because you have to wait for them to develop and grow physically but that is where we are with it and when you are not quite there, you get punished by good teams and by good players and that proved the difference in end.
“On the plus side they all played well and are always learning and that is what we do.”