Artell enjoys seeing the goals shared around

Posted Sunday, February 02, 2020 by PA

Crewe boss David Artell insisted his free-scoring Railwaymen will not deviate from their attacking principles after they moved second in Sky Bet League Two with a 2-1 win at Walsall.

Daniel Powell’s third goal in as many games and Oli Finney’s classy finish rendered Caolan Lavery’s first-half opener for Walsall irrelevant as the Alex stretched their unbeaten run to five games.

Crewe, who have scored a League Two joint-high 55 this season, have spread the goals around with 14 different players finding the net.

Artell said: “We could have brought a defender in over the last few days but we brought in (striker) Stephen Walker from Middlesbrough instead.

“We are the joint top scorers in the league and we haven’t had to pay an absolute fortune for a 23-goal man or a 17-goal man.

“Chuma Anene has scored nine, Chris Porter, who is just coming back from injury having missed eight or nine weeks, has scored 10.

“Oli Finney has got five, Charlie Kirk has got seven, Daniel Powell has nine. I could go on – my point is that we are not a one-man team, we are not a two-man team, we’re a team.

“I thought we ran out worthy winners – we had lots of chances in that second half and if we were a bit more clinical, it could have been more clear-cut.”

Artell also praised influential 22-year-old Kirk, whose exquisite cushioned header set up Finney’s winner.

The Crewe boss added: “He’s a terrific player – he’s got more assists than anyone in League Two and he doesn’t take free-kicks or corners. He keeps coming up with assists in open play and, for me, they are worth more.”

Walsall manager Darrell Clarke felt there was a foul in the build-up to the visitors’ leveller as a third successive defeat left hopes of a late play-off push looking remote.

Clarke said: “We were the better team in the first half, caused them a lot of problems and it was disappointing not to get the second goal.

“But the second half was nowhere near good enough even though it was a blatant foul on my player – an elbow in the back of Josh Gordon – from the corner for the goal.

“I think the goal knocked the stuffing out of us, which can sometimes happen when you are lacking a bit of confidence.

“I think you have to give credit to Crewe as well – they are a very decent team and decent teams like that, with the firepower they possess, can hurt you – and we didn’t defend particularly well.

“It’s been a disastrous week, a missed opportunity. I know on our day, we are more than a match for anybody. We have had a bad seven days, we’ve got to lift that grey cloud now.”