DAVE Artell says it is nice basking in the praise of Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson - but says points and not plaudits are more important.

Ferguson has labelled Crewe "the best footballing side" he has seen in League One so far this term ahead of him bringing his top-of-the-table side to Gresty Road tomorrow.

It's another onerous assignment for the Alex against a side who have won seven of their last eight games. After Posh's visit Crewe will have played the current top six in their opening 11 fixtures, but Artell says the way they dominated against second-placed Ipswich recently gives him great hope.

"I think Darren is right about us, but I would say that. He's a fantastic manager and what he, Barry Fry and the senior management at Peterborough don't know about football isn't worth knowing.

"But until we get results and points on the board then it is all hyperbole," said Artell.

"We've had the second toughest fixtures of any team in the league. But I do think we are heading in the right direction.

"It will be another good game. I'm not sick and tired of watching these games too - it's a far cry from the 'whack it ball' we saw last season.

"We have improved distinctly at one of the pitch and if we get to the same level at the other end then we'll have a nice balance."

Meanwhile, the Alex boss says he welcomes the news of a resolution to the Premier League rescue package for the lower leagues.

The cash pledge to cover gate losses for 2019/20 and 2020/21 had previously stalled over the issue of help for Championship clubs. But now League One and League Two clubs seem set to share in a £50 million deal grants and loans deal.

"I am sure it can help, but the devil will be in the detail. On the face of it it's a good thing as we don't want to see any clubs going out of business," said Artell, who was far less happy to hear about top bosses' pleas to let them make five substitutions to help them cope with injury-hit squads.

Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and rival Pep Guardiola at Manchester City have criticised the decision not to stick with last season's temporary rule allowing five instead of three substitutions in the Premier League.

But Artell points out that Crewe negotiate over 80 first team and under-23 games with around 30 players (including Academy youngsters); and two games on the same day on occasions.

"It's two managers at the top bleating about injuries, but we've had this number of games for 10 years so they should look after their players better," he said.

"We are consistently playing lots of games. If they are having to play young players at Liverpool then that is good that they have to use them."