Dave Artell wants more quality in final third from Crewe

Posted Sunday, February 11, 2018 by PA

Dave Artell admitted that Crewe never looked like scoring as they failed to secure a much-needed win in their battle against the drop.

A lack of quality in the final third counted against the Railwaymen as they settled for a point from a goalless draw against relegation rivals Yeovil.

Artell’s side are without a win in five games and are now three points off the League Two drop zone in 21st place.

“We dominated for long spells, especially in the second half. The players stuck at it but I felt we were never going to score,” said Artell.

“We didn’t have enough craft or guile even though if it had been a boxing match it would have been stopped at half-time.

“We have conceded a lot of goals in the last three games so to get a clean sheet was a positive – but at the other end we have not tested their keeper enough.”

Crewe had first-half penalty appeals turned away when Paul Green’s cross hit Nathan Smith’s hand.

It was the sort of luck the Alex needed in their favour on a day when relegation rivals Chesterfield and Forest Green had their games called off.

They could not be faulted for their efforts and young midfielder Harry Pickering, in particular, provided a threat from dead balls, whipping in a first-half corner which the excellent Artur Krysiak did well to keep from going straight in under his crossbar.

Pickering curled a sumptuous free-kick onto the bar after the break, which left Krysiak – who had kept out a thunderous first-half effort from Zoumana Bakayogo – limping off.

Stand-in Jonny Maddison did well to keep out a Callum Ainley effort, but Crewe were too wasteful as Shaun Miller struggled to rediscover former glories on his return to Gresty Road, firing well over with one decent second-half chance.

Yeovil appeared happy to settle for a point, although Francois Zoko had home fans’ hearts in their mouths with a swerving drive across the face of goal.

Town are now eight points clear of trouble and boss Darren Way pointed out: “Crewe are fighting for their lives and to come away with a point is a good result.

“We had to make the changes with Nathan Smith and Artur (Krysiak) going off injured.

“Crewe were quite forceful and were loading the box, but the players who stepped in did well.

“Jonny Maddison finished the game strongly. He has been pulling off saves left, right and centre in training and I understand his frustrations at not playing. It shows that if you keep believing you get to where you want to be and now is his time.”