Crewe boss David Artell: "There is no secret to what Northampton are... we have to be ready"

They were the words of Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell as he warned his players they have 'got to be ready' for what the Cobblers will throw at them in Saturday's Sky Bet League One clash at Gresty Road.

The Railwaymen boss has not been too slow in coming forward when it comes to questioning what he sees as the Cobblers' direct style of play in the past, and he has again stated he is expecting a physical battle this weekend.

He is also keen to end a run of poor results against a Town team that has the upper hand over Crewe, a team renowned for playing passing football, in recent seasons.

Indeed, in his three meetings as manager against Keith Curle's Town team, Artell's men have come out second best.

They lost both fixtures in the the 2018/19 season 2-0, and then suffering a 4-1 reverse at the PTS Academy Stadium a little over a year ago in the only meeting between the sides in the curtailed 2019/20 campaign.

Both teams were promoted from league two last season, with Crewe going up as runners-up and the Cobblers via the play-offs, and they resume rivalry this weekend with just two points separating 13th-placed Crewe and 16th-placed Town.

"We know what Northampton are," Artell told crewealex.net

"There is no secret to what Northampton are, and we have got to be ready for it, it's as simple as that."

The Crewe was then asked if it was all about his team being up for a battle against the Cobblers, Artell said: "Yeah, I think that is a large chunk of it.

"You have got to make sure you are not physically beaten, or in any way shape or form give them cheap wins.

"Whether that be contested battles, duels, cheap free-kicks, goals from set-pieces, whatever it might be, you have to make sure you do all the basics very well.

"That is what Northampton pride themselves on, so you have to make sure you stand up to that and match that."

Crewe are getting set to welcome their own supporters back to Gresty Road for the first time since March this weekend.

There will be around 2,000 season ticket holders inside the ground, and Artell is urging them to follow the guidelines and to show respect when players and staff take the knee prior to the game in support of Black Lives Matter.

There was widespread condemnation of a section of the Millwall support at the New Den last weekend, with many booing when the Lions and Derby County players took the knee ahead of kick-off.

“It will be a great day for everyone," said Artell.

"Any supporters coming back into stadiums is welcome. It is a massive step in the right direction and I hope they follow the rules and guidelines because it will be different.

“I also hope that they do not disrespect the decision for the players and staff to take the knee. What we saw last week was appalling and shouldn’t happen.

“The fans have been terrific with me and I am sure they will cheer us on, hopefully to a home victory."