Alex Morris challenges firs year pros to hit the ground running in pre-season

Alex Morris has challenged the club’s younger element in his squad to make sure they are ready for first team if called upon next season. The Alex boss has indicated that they will be needed at some stage during a long season and he believes that they have the ability to make the step up if called upon.

The majority of the first year professionals have already made their senior debuts with Zac Williams and Connor O’Riordan really making an impact at first-team level.

The Crewe Alexandra manager told the club’s official website: “We have Zac and Connor who have made that step up into the first team and most of the other boys have had a taste of it now. They have been exposed to a handful of games and some have made their full debuts. They have to build on and take the opportunities that come their way.

“Now they have to work hard as hard as ever in the pre-season and make sure they are robust enough to be ready to cope with the stress and strains of being a first-team player. They have to be ready for when they are needed.

The boss added: “We haven’t got a particularly big squad and we will need to rely on their contribution at some point. There could be suspensions and injuries along the way, because it is a long season, so they have to be ready to step up and step into that limelight if you like and deal with that pressure.”