DAVE Artell says some of Crewe's players need to do better to ensure a poor start to the season doesn't continue.

Tuesdays' home defeat (1-3) at the hands of Morecambe saw the Alex drop down to 22nd in the League One table with just one win from their opening eight games.

They face a tough assignment at Rotherham on Saturday (K.O 3pm) against a side who have moved into the play-off places.

The Crewe boss says the Millers could pose a physical threat up front armed with big strikers in Michael Smith and Freddie Ladapo after watching them in action against Lincoln City in the middle of last week.

The Yorkshire outfit also have the talent of on-loan Sunderland frontman Will Grigg to call upon, but Artell says he did spot some weaknesses to exploit from his scouting mission.

Of his hometown club, Artell said: "They were really impressive. They are big and strong and you could see they will do well in this league. They have two big lads up front and they are going to ask you questions, so we know what we're going to get.

"But we also think they've got some weaknesses and we have got to expose them."

But the manager added: "We can be better [than Tuesday night]. We've got some players who are pushing, some players that are returning, but we've also got some players that need to do better.

"And we have got to get that blend and that mix and belief in the camp that we can go to the New York Stadium and win."

Skipper Luke Murphy missed the Morecambe game through injury - with Donervon Daniels stepping in to wear the armband - and the midfielder remains a doubt for the trip, only Crewe's second to the New York Stadium.

Josh Lundstram earned a recall, but recent recruit Madger Gomes came through an hour of an under-23 game at Swansea this week and offers another option in the middle of the park.

"He's [Gomes] been on the bench and he'll be in contention," added the manager.

• On their last visit to the New York Stadium Crewe were on the end of a 4-2 defeat in January 2014 during Steve Davis' managerial reign.

They haven't beaten the Millers on their own patch since Dean Ashton scored twice in a midweek 3-2 success at Rotherham's former Millmoor home in the Championship 17 years ago.

But they did win the last meeting of the two sides, an FA Cup first round tie in November 2017, when a late strike from Callum Ainley secured a 2-1 win for the Alex against their then higher (League One) opponents at Gresty Road.