Alex' boss Steve Holland spoke to the official Crewe website about his side's match at Brunton Park against Carlisle tomorrow afternoon, Holland hoping that his players can take confidence from their 2-0 Carling Cup victory over Barnsley this week :
Steve Holland
"We have practiced playing with two quick wingers over the summer because we think it is going to be a useful way of playing. We probably looked at that way of playing a little earlier than we would have liked. We played very well in the first half and the most pleasing thing for us was that Barnsley didn't rest too many of their players.
"The players can take confidence from that because they have shown that they can compete with a team playing in a higher league. Carlisle are a side who made the play-offs last season and are expected to challenge again for promotion. We know it will be a tough game but we won't be intimidated by the challenge.
"We lost to them twice 1-0 last season and should have got something from the home game. I also think we have a better side now than when we played them last season, so past results won't count for too much. It's a really hard game at Carlisle on Saturday, but if we can win we'll be in the middle of the table looking forwards with some optimism.
"I have gone on record before saying how much respect and time I have for Ben Williams. He was a great professional and a very good goalkeeper. He had a very good season for us last year and we wanted him to stay but he has moved on now and we are very pleased with the replacement we have in Steve Collis. He has played about six games, if you include the friendlies and he hasn't made a mistake.
"It will be good to see Ben tomorrow but we have a job to do and that means hopefully scoring some goals against him. It will be good to catch up after the game and from the reports I've heard and read, he has made a good start at Carlisle. I'm not surprised because he as I've said, he is a good goalkeeper."
Meanwhile assistant manager Neil Baker commented to the The Sentinel :
"There's a level of confidence in the dressing room and a renewed sense of optimism after the win against Barnsley. Whether we can transfer that to the game against Carlisle is another matter. We're certainly hopeful, but they are a good side and the players need to be on top of their games for us to win."
In team news for Crewe, former Tranmere forward Calvin Zola is training today and is expected to recover from an ankle injury, picked up in the win over Barnsley, in time to play tomorrow. Definitely out though is Ukrainian-born winger Eugen Bopp who is sidelined with a groin strain.
Looking forward the Alex' are hoping to clinch the signing of Hibs striker Clayton Donaldson over the weekend for a six-figure sum. The former York frontman, who has two years left on his contract at Easter Road, will be the third forward Crewe have signed this summer, after Calvin Zola (£200,000) and Anthony Elding (undisclosed six-figure fee).
The big spending Railwaymen having also snapped up winger Joel Grant from Blue Square Premier champions Aldershot for £130,000 in June. The finances for these transfers presumably being funded by the sale of prize asset Nicky Maynard to Bristol City for £2.25 million two weeks ago.
The referee for tomorrow's match is Mike Oliver from Ashington in Northumberland, and he will be assisted down the lines by Gary Beswick from Newton Aycliffe in County Durham and Neil Yates from Blackburn. Meanwhile the fourth official is Glen Hart from Darlington.