Is this the bright side of life?

Last updated : 13 November 2002 By Site Staff
Saturday was a massive win. Not only to get back to winning ways and to 5th place but to close the gap on the leaders. We sat 9 points away from Cardiff, the leaders, on friday and closed that gap to 7 points. All be it only 2 points but as we learnt last season two points can change your future. The league can be forgottent for now though as the LDV Vans trophy sucess and the up coming FA Cup tie at Vale can be looked forward to.

Last night was a big confidance booster for all. Dean ashton most notable with his goal and assist but lets not forget young Lee Bell who needed a first team appearence again to claim his place in the starting 11 again sometime this season. He certanly looked a prospect aswell. Lightweight is a problem but he is very creative and has vision to set chances up... a player who can come on a and change a game for sure. We've also learnt this season he isn't scared to hit long distance shots. also on a confidence booster is Walker. he would have been gutted to lose his place on Saturday to Walton and maybe thought he might not get in but he showed Dario he's more than up to fight for his place and put in a fantastic display.

The LDV is something we can win and we should not think it will distract us otherwise it will! Looking at the list of teams left in the Northern Final we could beat all of them no threat. The hardest one probably being Vale or Tranmere as they're the only Division Two teams left in the Northern section. We should go out full pelt in the quarter final but should play the fringe players, whoever they should be. If we get to the semis we should start playing most of our first team. Like Dario said "It's a cup for us lower league teams and we're not big enough to disrespect it" so should we get to the Northern semi's i say first team all the way. We've never won a proper cup/trophy and we have the perfrect chance to at least have good day out in Cardiff and we should grab that and the trophy with both hands.

On to the FA Cup game at Vale Park on Saturday. Mr Graham McGarry said in last nights pre match thoughts that it didn't matter if we lost - well i say it does! Winning breeds confidence and why throw away a chance of making money? It might mean we won't have to sell Hulse till this time next year maybe? No only that but theres local pride at place. Alot of Crewe fans are either related to or work with Vale fans and although i'm not one of those i would say all of them would love to do the triple over Vale on Saturday whatever the competition! We could beat Vale four times this season, lets not let that slip lets try and WIN every game and winning every game would mean more confidence leading to more wins leading to higher league positions. We may not get to the 4th round replay like we did last season but lets go to the 3rd round at least and try and get a 'big team'.

On Saturday is not only the chance to do the triple over Vale but sees the return of David Vaughan. Vaughan has been missed and i believe he's becoming a massive part of the team, th amount of goals and chances he takes part in is amazing. His ability to run at players when rarley giving the ball away is also amazing. Lets hope the youngster can return in good form for Saturday and not have to get back to match fitness as Vaughan is one who's going along way in this game... and you can hold me to that as Vaughan is the undisputed Welsh wizard!

So weat a couple of bad defeats everything looks to be coming together with our home form & performances slightly improving latley and with a key player on his way back we're going somewhere as long as players keep their focus on each day as it comes.