Alex says Crewe have to stop Duff's effective Cheltenham side if we are to end poor run of results.

Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says his side have to ‘stand up to what Cheltenham Town will throw us’ at the Jonny Rocks Stadium this weekend.

Crewe are in desperate needs of three points to keep our hopes of remaining in League One alive and will have to flip the form guide on its head.

Crewe have now lost seven games on the bounce and have not won at Cheltenham since our promotion winning season of 2011/12.

Artell appreciates that Michael Duff will have his Cheltenham side playing to their strengths on one of the divisions tightest pitches.

Ahead of our weekend clash, Artell told us: “Cheltenham have stepped up into the league and done well. It is always a tough place to go and get a result and Michael knows the strengths and weaknesses of his team.

“We have to stand up to that. We know what to expect.

“We had a huge blip at Accrington but in the last two games, we have been good for large spells of the games. It has been better and we have to make that a defence and part of our armoury. “