MONDAY was a sad day in the history of Crewe Alexandra.

But the decision made was the right one - for Dave Artell's own health if nothing else.

The overriding feeling amongst fans is sadness at how it has all ended. Many will fondly remember the football we played in the curtailed 2019/20 season, which was the best I have seen at Gresty Road.

But football is a results business and ultimately, Artell could not continue after the club lost 15 of its last 16 games.

History appears to be repeating itself, after Artell's predecessor, Steve Davis, was also fired after initial success led to the sale of key assets and a tumble back into League Two.

If, as looks likely, Alex Morris is appointed after the club resolve Artell's compensation package, the board must work out how the same fate will not befall the talented coach.

We are approaching a critical time for the football club and there is an argument, however uncomfortable, that Crewe has become a 'jobs for the boys' environment. If a proper recruitment process is followed, no fan will take issue, but the club would benefit from some outside perspective.

Artell called in Alex Neil (right) for help last November, but form still dived (Picture credit: Kevin Warburton).

Meanwhile, Chairman Charles Grant's popularity amongst the fanbase has dropped like a stone. Radio silence earlier in the season followed by rumours he had interfered with tactics and team selection during this disastrous campaign have only added fuel to the fire. Whispers of increased ticket prices for next season have not helped, either.

Grant wanted to be the next John Bowler. He thought Dave Artell was going to be his Dario Gradi. It hasn't quite worked out like that, and it is perhaps telling that another director, Karl Hancock, has moved back to Crewe from Devon to become more heavily involved with the day to day running of the club.

No one likes change, but Grant may need to depart from the often-insular thinking that has defined the club's approach over the last two decades. The club's recruitment this season was a shambles, and steps have been taken to plug the gaps.

A slightly leftfield approach moving forwards would be for the club to consider increasing their wage structure for two to three senior players.

It is a method that was attempted by Steve Davis in his attempts to recruit John Lundstrum in 2015, which was eventually blocked by the board. Lundstrum now plays at Rangers after two years in the Premier League with Sheffield United.

A study by Stefan Szymanski and Guy Wilkinson at the University of Michigan found that almost 70 per cent of the budget in a first XI should be spent on three players, rather than spreading the money evenly across the team. This approach does come with several risks, but it may be time for the club to think outside the box.

My only wish now is that Dave Artell's severance pay allows him to enjoy a long summer break with his family, who have no doubt suffered with him over the last eight months.

He deserves a rest, and some time with those close to him. He goes with our gratitude, safe in the knowledge he will always be welcome back at the Mornflake Stadium when the time is right.

Interim manager Alex Morris has vast experience of the Alex Academy (Picture credit: Kevin Warburton)