News

21/07/2008 - Baker calls for more consistency

by Graham Tong
NEIL Baker has challenged Crewe defenders Chris McCready and Danny O’Donnell to earn the right for a starting place this season.

The Alex hope to boost their defence before the new League One campaign and have taken former Mansfield Town captain Jake Buxton on trial.

Assistant boss Baker says Crewe need a strong partner for skipper Julien Baudet to improve on last year’s record of 65 league goals conceded.

But he insists current Alex centre-backs McCready and O’Donnell – who made 51 League starts between them last season – can do the job if they are more consistent.

He said: “The defenders we have at the club are certainly good enough, otherwise we wouldn’t have signed them in the first place. On their day last season, we were delighted with the way they played.

“But even though the defence was better last year than the year before, we still conceded too many goals. It’s nothing we haven’t said to the team already. That’s why we’re looking for a commanding presence at the back to play alongside Julien.

“Even if we do find the one we’re looking for, Chris and Danny would both have aspirations to be in the starting line-up. They are more than capable of doing that because they are both fine physically and technically.

“But we’re looking for one or both of them to be more consistent. They have to eradicate the errors and perform consistently week in, week out. That’s the challenge for them and if they can keep improving they’ll make it difficult for us to leave them out.”

Meanwhile, injuries may affect the line-up for tomorrow night’s pre-season friendly at Blue Square Premier side Wrexham.

Ben Rix has suffered a tight hamstring in training, while fellow midfielder Michael O’Connor is nursing a groin injury.

Prolific striker Nicky Maynard (shin) and defender George Abbey (back) were also struggling last week with minor problems.