Bell lauds 'brilliant' response as Crewe end winless run

Lee Bell took over at Crewe, initially on an interim basis, in November 2022

Crewe Alexandra boss Lee Bell said "phenomenal" training and a healthy dose of perspective helped them end their five-match winless run in League Two on Saturday.

Alex stood top of League Two after winning their opening four games but then took just one point from the next five.

Bell believes the late 2-1 win over Notts County, which lifted them to within one place and a point of the play-off spots, was all down to their midweek preparation.

"The energy that they've brought to training has been phenomenal, particularly with me being under a little bit of scrutiny," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"On Tuesday and Wednesday it was as well as they've trained. If you look at the numbers from it, they're brilliant."

Four defeats in five prior to Saturday had dropped Crewe to 12th place, but Bell pointed to the defeat at Gillingham where they hit the post four times, and two penalties misses in a 2-1 loss at Barnet.

"I know there's been a couple of really poor performances in that run that we've just gone on for five games, but it's moments in games," he added.

"At Gillingham we were top of the league and were the best team by a mile. And Barnet went and beat Grimsby the following week and they've drawn away again with Oldham. We should win those games, so we're not a millions miles off and we always try and keep perspective."