‘ONE OR TWO DIDN’T CARE ENOUGH TODAY’
Crewe boss Artell blasts players after heavy cup defeat
CREWE Alexandra boss David Artell asked his players ‘do you care?’ after their heavy defeat in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Alex lost 3-0 against Swindon Town to exit the cup at the first round stage.
And after another hugely disappointing home defeat, Artell told the club’s official website: “First and foremost, Swindon thoroughly deserved the win.
“I didn’t think there was much in it in the first half. Mckirdy got in and they have scored a well worked goal. We grew into it.
“I then thought we were the better side for the first 10 minutes of the second half but then have gone up the other end and scored a second goal.
“The first thing I asked them after the game was ‘do you care?’
“I think there were one or two who possibly didn’t care enough and they let themselves down and the football club. You cannot play with eight or nine men. You need 11, 11 and a half players to get results and we didn’t have that.
“It may well be the way forward to go with those who do and we can rely on.
“We had a young back four at the end of the game and they will make mistakes, but at least they will be honest mistakes. They are our own academy lads and at least I know they care about this football club and their own careers.
“We have to get back to basics and go over what we expect of them.
“I would have thought they would have known that by now but we will reiterate it with them and work to more of a script.”
Louis Reed netted a double as the League Two Robins booked their second-round place with a comfortable win at their struggling League One hosts.
Swindon, who have an impressive away record this season, also had loanee Tyreece Simpson on target.
Kaine Hayden volleyed over early on before Alex goalkeeper Dave Richards came off his line to block Harry Mckirdy.
The visitors went ahead in the 25th minute when Reed was offered space to fire home a stunning effort from 25 yards.
Mckirdy played a key role in the second in the 52nd minute, holding the ball up and releasing Simpson, who cantered clear and found the far corner with a low finish from just inside the box.
Richards was off his line again, this time to thwart Simpson, and Ellis Iandolo had a far-post finish ruled out for offside.
But Reed grabbed his second with a low free-kick which flew past the home defence and Richards into the corner in the 79th minute.