Football Season Guide

It has been a quiet summer for the Railwaymen as they look to recover from a couple of traumatic years. The club’s name has been dragged through the mud following the revelations regarding former coach Barry Bennell in November 2016. The ensuing scandal has threatened their very existence but former player David Artell has managed to get the team back on the tracks following an encouraging end to the last campaign. Crewe Alexandra continue their philosophy of bringing talented youngsters through into their first team and then selling them on and this tried-and-tested formula shows no sign of falling. Artell has successfully bloodied another group of players that look set to lead them into the new season. He will be delighted to have held on to the likes of midfielders James Jones and Oliver Finney, who both signed new deals at the end of the last season. His only real new addition this summer is striker Alex Nicholls from Barnet although making the loans of midfielder Paul Green and striker Shaun Miller into permanent deals will certainly strengthen the squad. Full-back Zoumana Bakayogo was allowed to leave the club during the close season, as was striker Chris Dagnall, who has returned to former club Bury. Artell has revealed he is still looking to make one or two additions to his squad but he certainly has plenty of talent at his disposal. Defender George Ray is back to full fitness whilst full-back Perry Ng is likely to be a target for bigger clubs with just one year left remaining on his contract. Midfielder Harry Pickering enjoyed a breakthrough season and is another to watch this time around. If Artell can find the right balance then this talented group of young players could spring a few surprises in League Two this season.