David Artell: Crewe players will reimburse fans for embarrassing display

Posted Wednesday, August 22, 2018 by PA

David Artell confirmed that Crewe’s players will be reimbursing the 153 travelling fans for their match tickets following the 6-0 drubbing at Colchester.

The Alex were a goal behind after just four minutes, Frankie Kent sweeping Colchester in front after Sammie Szmodics’ effort had been blocked.

Brennan Dickenson doubled their lead four minutes later with a fine 25-yard shot and then fired into the roof of the net at the far post in the 27th minute following Ryan Jackson’s long throw.

Jackson slammed in a fourth in the 59th minute after Courtney Senior’s shot had been blocked following a swift Colchester break.

Substitute Luke Norris side-footed in a fifth from Kane Vincent-Young’s assist in the 74th minute, before Tom Lapslie slotted in Dickenson’s pass with 14 minutes remaining.

“The players will put their hands in their pockets, without a shadow of doubt,” Artell said. “They deserve a hell of a lot of credit for coming all this way.

“Everyone who has come here will be refunded – I don’t know how much it is to get in, whether it’s a tenner, £20 or £30, the lads will pay for that. They (fans) don’t deserve to pay for that.”

Pulling no punches, Artell added: “It was embarrassing.

“There’s not a lot you can do when people don’t do their jobs properly, coupled with the fact that some of them didn’t run around or show heart or battle.

“If any of them got more than a three out of 10, they will be lucky because that was completely unacceptable.

“Some of them gave up. Brennan Dickenson is an all right player but we made him look like (Lionel) Messi tonight.

“He’s not – he’s had a good night but we haven’t half helped him and others.

“They’re a half-decent team but we didn’t half help them.

“I’d have changed at least nine players at half-time if I could and there’s no point in trying to dress it up.

“We were awful and I will carry the can, of course I will.”

By contrast, Colchester head coach John McGreal urged his players to enjoy their outstanding display.

The U’s are third in Sky Bet League Two after a dominant home display over hapless Alex.

McGreal said: “We’ve said to them they have to enjoy it.

“Defeats are tough to take at times – we know that ourselves – but when you get them, you have to enjoy them.

“It’s a start for us and we’re four games in – I’ve been fortunate to pick the same league team for the third game.

“But I’m going to put a dampener on it – nothing is won in August!

“We’ve had a couple of good performances and put ourselves in a healthy position, but the games come thick and fast.

“I think Dicko (Dickenson) has got a wand of a left foot – he’s got power, he’s got caress, he can whip it and I think you’ve seen all the technical aspects of his left foot.

“He’s a runner as well and a strong boy.

“He’s getting back to those performances that he had before he got injured, which is fantastic for us.”