Lee Bell: Crewe Alexandra boss urges players to 'relax' during League Two promotion run-in

Lee Bell's Crewe have suffered back-to-back league losses for only the second time in 2023-24

Crewe boss Lee Bell says his promotion-seeking Railwaymen just need to chill out to get over their mini dip in form.

The Alex looked in contention for one of League Two's three automatic promotion places after winning seven of their first 10 games of 2024.

But they have dropped to fifth, five points off the top three, after back-to-back defeats.

"I think we have to relax a little bit," Bell told BBC Radio Stoke after Saturday's 2-0 loss at lowly Doncaster.

"I don't think there's anything missing - let's enjoy the ride that we're on and the position we are in, let's really embrace it and enjoy what we're doing.

"We had accumulated the most points in the division from the turn of the year up until Saturday, so there's loads of positives to take.

"We've got to relish it and love it - yes, we've had a setback, let's find out the reasons why, let's not fight about it, let's sort it out."

The Railwaymen are still comfortably on course for at least a play-off spot, enjoying a five-point buffer to eighth-placed AFC Wimbledon.

But they let a two-goal lead slip to lose 3-2 at home to Morecambe on 2 March, following that result up with a disappointing defeat at Doncaster.

"A couple of heavy touches on Saturday were maybe a reflection of the position we're in, and you've got to forget about that and concentrate on performing," Bell added.

Crewe host bottom side Sutton, who are five points adrift of safety, at Mornflake Stadium on Tuesday.

"We will be looking for a response against a team that are fighting - and they will fight for everything," Bell added.

"I've said to the players, if anyone's not feeling 100% and able to turn out the performance we are after, let us know because we're all trying to get up a mountain and we won't do it on our own, we have to all be there together.

"There's going to be no free hits all the way until the end of the season, so we are going to have to be bang at it."