Lee Bell says Crewe Alexandra will have to be at their best to take three points at Salford City tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).
The home side made a slow start to the season and sit 17th in League Two, while third-placed Crewe are six unbeaten and one of the division’s form teams.
But Manager Bell said: “They are a good side with good players and it seems as though they may have just started to find their way now.
“They have really good attacking players who can hurt you. They look to play football but also have big Matt Smith to work off if they need to.
“We had two tough games against them last year and we'll have to be at it to take points home with us.”
Salford have won their last two games against Newport and Sutton, and boast a strong squad that features the likes of ex-Fulham and QPR man Smith, and former Crewe youth Matt Lund.
Bell will hope for another shutout after his men kept a first clean sheet of 2023-24 in midweek – but he feels scoring goals is the priority.
He added: “Football is about winning. Other teams might base things around keeping a tight shape and keeping the goals-against column down but we are more expansive, so it means it will be more stretched at times.
“Clean sheets aren’t something I bang on about but it is important for the back players and keeper – they deserved one for what they have done this season.”