The Alex face a high-flying Wigan team at Mornflake stadium tonight, who are striving for points at the other end of the table.

Wigan’s impressive away record of only two defeats will prove a challenge for the Reds as they looked to claim those vital three points themselves. Whilst David Artell is impressed by such a record, he insists his side can go and upset the odds and give them a third loss away from home.

Talking to the club’s website, David Artell said: “Wigan and Rotherham are the best two teams in the league, and I think they will both go up but that doesn’t mean we’re going to roll over for them.

“If we play as well as we did against Sunderland and we take are chances, we will give anyone a good game in this league.

The Crewe boss has been left impressed with how quickly his young defensive line have stepped up to the plate. Luke Offord (22), Connor O’Riordan (18) and Zac Williams (17) have been tested against the likes of Sam Baldock, Sam Vokes and most recently Ross Stewart and Jermain Defoe but the boss feels that they will be ready for the next up and coming challenger.

Commenting on their performances, he said: “One of the most pleasing things for me last Saturday was how our back three handled their strikers compared to George Hirst earlier in the week.

“We worked with them on Thursday and made sure that they understood what they needed to do. Their development needs to keep on happening.”

He continued with: “Whether it's Will Keane, Josh Magennis, or Stephen Humphreys, we have got to make sure we have the answers and that our players understand we can do it and that's what we will strive to do.”