MELLOR LOVES KEEPING THINGS CLEAN TO AID ALEX’S VICTORY QUEST
KELVIN Mellor is proud to be part of a Crewe defence that hasn’t conceded for more than six hours. Saturday’s 1-0 win at Swindon continued an impressive run that started with the goalless draw at home to a talented Leeds under-21s side in the Papa Johns Trophy then continued with a hat-trick of 1-0 wins, at home to Leyton Orient in the FA Cup and Colchester in the league and then at the County Ground.
The 31-year-old said: “We are really happy with how it’s going, clean sheets are nice and getting the wins is even better. They have been tough games, not easy at all. With Leeds, quite a few of them had played in the Premier League, then we played top of the league in the FA Cup and beat them, then you play bottom of the league and think it’s going to be an easy game, but it’s not, there are no easy games in this league. But we stuck to our guns and beat Colchester, then beat Swindon on Saturday.” The Swindon result was arguably the most impressive of the lot considering the Robins are in the play-off places and were on their own turf. As Mellor reflected, winning there can only increase confidence for a Crewe side that climbed a place to 15th.
The right-sided defender said: “We restricted them. We knew how they played. We wanted the ball in front of us, not in behind us, so we worked really hard on the tactics and it paid off.” The Railwaymen have growing competition for places in defence. They started with a back four of, from right to left, Mellor, Luke Offord, Billy Sassdavies and Tariq Uwakwe but Rod Mcdonald made his return from injury by coming off the bench in the second half as Crewe went to a back five.
With Zac Williams an unused substitute, interim boss Lee Bell does have options in a defence in which captain Luke Offord has been outstanding. Mellor added: “That is a healthy sign in a football club, it is good to keep you on your toes and know you have to earn the shirt, you are not just going to get in the team. As for Luke, he has been very good this season and it has been a pleasure to work alongside him. For him to help me, and me to help him at the same time, is a good relationship.”
There is praise too for on-loan Arsenal keeper Arthur Okonkwo who is in fine form, meaning Dave Richards is having to be patient for his chance. Mellor added: “He has come from Arsenal so he is going to be quality. We see that day in, day out. There is no doubt he is going to go on to bigger and better things. He is a big presence and is a very good shot stopper, as he has shown.
“As for Dave Richards, it is hard. Hopefully he gets another chance sometime soon but he just has to wait for that right opportunity and I am sure he will take it.” Crewe return to action on Saturday when they are at Barnsley in the FA Cup second round.