Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Club News

Sentiment will play no part in team selection - Bell

7 February 2023

Lee Bell says sentiment will play no part when he picks his Crewe Alexandra team to face Leyton Orient tonight (Tuesday, 7.45pm).

The Manager says he and his backroom team will consider their options dispassionately, as they look for a response to the weekend’s defeat.

Bell, who played more than 125 games during two spells as an Alex player, says he learned that lesson from a mentor when he was desperate to come off the bench during the 2012 Play-Off Final.

“Loyalty from a manager to a player is a strange thing to try to keep hold of, because you can end up picking players you shouldn’t be picking,” he explained.

“We get paid to make decisions, and I’ll pick the players which are right for the games.

“I found that out at Wembley from Neil Baker, who is a good friend. I was on my feet, dying to come on, and he turned round and said ‘this is not about sentiment, sit down’.

“He was absolutely spot on. As long as you’re treated fairly and with respect, as I always was, you have to take things on the chin.

“If someone isn’t selected, they will know the reasons why. We have to do what we think is right to win football matches.”

Bell will check on the fitness of defenders Rod McDonald and Kelvin Mellor, who missed the last game through injury.

Click HERE for ticket details for this evening's League Two fixture.


Advertisement block