Football Season Guide

Crewe Alexandra endured a frustrating end to last season as their inconsistency saw them miss out on a play-off place. Such a finish looked unlikely until the last couple of months of the season when manager David Artell finally got his young talented side to click but they left themselves with too much to do. Artell will be hoping to use that frustration as motivation this time around and go one better finish in the top seven. He will have to do without a trio of regulars from the last campaign with goalkeeper Ben Garratt, defender George Ray and striker Jordan Bowery rejecting new deals. Ray is likely to be the biggest miss and his replacement, centre-back Oliver Lancashire faces a challenge to fill his boots after signing from Swindon Town. The only other summer arrival so far is winger Dan Powell from Northampton Town but the Railwaymen are blessed with another glut of promising youngsters. Will Jaaskelainen will be challenging for the number one jersey whilst midfielders Callum Ainley, and Oliver Finney and winger Charlie Kirk will be looking to make an impact. Full-backs Perry Ng and Harry Pickering are ones to watch whilst Chris Porter will be hoping to better his tally of 15 goals this time around.