Dave Artell: Crewe are heading in the right direction

Posted Sunday, January 27, 2019 by PA

Dave Artell praised the character of his Crewe players as they seized a late win to move into the top half of the Sky Bet League Two table.

Eddie Nolan’s determined headed finish in the 87th-minute secured Crewe’s fifth win in seven games, which is in stark contrast to a three-game losing sequence before Christmas.

After picking up notable victories over frontrunners Lincoln and MK Dons, Crewe added John McGreal’s fading Colchester to their list of impressive scalps.

“I just felt we ground them down and that is a terrific quality to have in League Two,” said Artell, who watched from the stand after serving a one-game touchline ban.

“We should have more points too, but we are heading in the right direction. The foundations are there but we have got to make sure this continues.

“Colchester were a tough nut to crack, but I told the players they (Colchester) have conceded a lot of goals in the second half of games.

“We had more and more possession and the longer the game went on there was only going to be one winner.”

Crewe also announced the re-signing of Newcastle full-back Jamie Sterry on loan.

The full-back enjoyed a successful stint with the Railwaymen last term and will help their push for a place in the play-offs, where they are just six points adrift.

He added: “Jamie is 12 months down the line, so we’ve got a good player. We have got some more business to do as well.”

Colchester’s form has slipped recently, with just one win in their last seven games which has seen them drop out of the top seven.

The visitors did take the lead in the 11th minute when Sammie Szmodics fired into the far corner after taking control of a wayward backpass from Paul Green.

Mikael Mandron and Szmodics had chances too extend the lead but Crewe were level three minutes after the restart when Charlie Kirk was on hand to head home after Perry Ng’s right-wing cross flew past everyone to the back post.

Crewe gradually got the upper hand and posed a threat from crosses and set-pieces before Green atoned for his first-half error with a lofted cross from the byline for Nolan to head the winner.

Colchester boss John McGreal was again critical of his side’s second-half showing after also letting a two-goal lead slip to lose 3-2 to Mansfield last weekend.

“It’s a repeat of last week and the mental side of it leaves a lot to be desired. We could have been two or three up at half time,” said McGreal.

“The game went a bit dead in the second half and we were wasteful on the ball. But the game was petering out at 1-1 and it really hurts when it all goes out of the window like that.

“It is really disappointing after we put in a great shift in the first half.

“We’ve got to turn the corner but we are still in a good position and in this league anyone can beat anyone and I am sure Crewe will have aspirations of getting into the play-offs.”