News in Crewe

CREWE Alex are set for an extended break from action after the Boxing Day visit of Wigan Athletic became another Covid-related postponement.

The Latics asked the EFL to call off the festive clash today (Thursday) after Leam Richardson's squad has been hit by 'several Covid cases' as well as some injuries.

DAVE Artell says Crewe Alex are doing everything in their powers to keep players and staff safe during the Omicron infection wave.

The Railwaymen are now adhering to strict measures at the club's Reasheath training ground, such as one-way systems and social distancing including the use of multiple dressing rooms.

THE surge in Covid cases hit the grassroots football scene at the weekend with four of 10 scheduled matches off in the CREWE REGIONAL SUNDAY LEAGUE.

All but one of the CREWE AND DISTRICT LEAGUE fixtures were off for similar reasons, while Crewe FC's CHESHIRE LEAGUE game at Billinge was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

CREWE Alex's League One game at Gillingham on Saturday (December 18) has been called off because of Covid.

The hosts have informed the EFL they are unable to fulfil the fixture as the Gills squad has been hit by several Covid cases

LOW blows before and after kick off conspired against Crewe as they ended the afternoon back on the bottom of the League One table.

The Alex were left with a weakened frontline after Mikael Mandron (illness) and Ben Knight (foot injury) were withdrawn hours before kick-off because of illness.

DAVE Artell says he has encouraged all of his players to get vaccinated as the threat of the Omicron variant threatens to disrupt football.

The manager says Crewe Alex will be pulling out all measures to counter the spread of coronavirus with one player having tested positive and another in self-isolation as a result of contact.

WRITING for Nub News Crewe Alex fan and Railwaymen Supporters Society member Tom Kural assesses why market forces are contributing to the club's struggles in League One this season.

Three years ago, I thought Dave Artell should be sacked.

CREWE'S injury problems have thrown into light, again, the importance of the club's academy which was rated above a host of higher league youth set-ups in a recent survey.

Dave Artell's starting XI in Saturday's (0-2) defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday had an average age of 21, not including veteran Chris Porter, who was left shouldering the attacking responsibilities with Mikael Mandron, Chris Long and Scott Kashket sidelined.

THE heavy weekend rain put paid to most of the CREWE REGIONAL SUNDAY LEAGUE programme.

But two games did survive in Division One with one of them seeing lowly-placed JS Bailey meeting second-placed Winsford Over for the second time in seven days.

DAVE Artell says he is glad of the support of the Crewe Alex board as he admits his managerial reign would have been ended at "most other clubs".

The Alex boss has had to grapple with a season of transition after the departure of key players, while the unscheduled retirements from the game of two of his summer recruits, Tommie Hoban and Shaun McDonald, hit his preparations for the campaign.