Crewe Alexandra’s youthful backline proves to be key in the side’s upturn in form

The Railwaymen have one of the youngest defences in League One with last night’s starting back five all academy graduates with an average age of just over 20.

The defence consisted of Rio Adebisi, Zac Williams, Billy Sass-Davies, Luke Offord and Callum Ainley but it is the three centre-backs that have proved to be an integral part of Crewe’s upturn in form.

Williams, who only made his league debut against Bolton Wanderers at the start of November, has been brilliant at the back with the defender only 17. He was almost rewarded for his performances with a goal against Lincoln City last night but saw his effort go agonisingly wide of the top corner.

Wales under-21 international Sass-Davies had a difficult start to the season with an early red card away at Hartlepool United in the First Round of the Carabao Cup. Since then, the 21-year-old has got better and better and cemented his place in defence alongside Luke Offord, who also at the age of 21, is the experienced defender out of the three.

Offord has been at the club since the age of seven. He broke into the first team during the 2019/2020 season before Covid-19 ended the campaign early and has been ever-present in David Artell’s defensive line.

With all three being under the age of 22, many would have thought it would take time for them to settle into the team, but in fact, it is the younger players in the squad who are setting the example for the more senior players.

After yesterday’s win, the Alex are now off the bottom of the League One table having won two out of their last four league games and three out of the last five in all competitions.

David Artell spoke about the psychological benefit being off the bottom of the table could have on the team.

“It is an important bit of news, it is important for the players to get rewarded for winning two out of the last four league games. If they keep going like that we will be more than fine.”

Just as important as the wins are, the three clean sheets the team has kept in the wins against Gillingham, Doncaster Rovers and Lincoln have been crucial. Artell will be looking to build his team around the solid defensive set-up of Williams, Sass-Davies and Offord as the club approaches the hectic Christmas schedule.

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