The league table doesn't make good viewing for Crewe but it would take a brave man to write off any side managed by one of the most respected men in the game – Dario Gradi. Despite their current position at the foot of the Championship, the Railwaymen have produced some encouraging displays in recent weeks – a narrow 4-3 defeat against runaway leaders Reading followed by a hard-earned point at Wolves last weekend. Indeed, three points against Ipswich at Gresty Road tonight would make things look a lot brighter for Crewe and givemefootball's Mark Shail got the thoughts of defender Stephen Foster ahead of the visit of the Tractor Boys.
Q:IT'S BEEN A TOUGH OLD SEASON SO FAR HASN'T IT?
A:Yes, we've got a very young squad here and our league position looks a little precarious to say the least. But we've been down there before and we know what needs to be done in this position – but it's going to take an almighty effort to get ourselves out of trouble this time round.
Q:BUT YOU MUST BE ENCOURAGED BY THAT POINT AT MOLINEUX?
A:Yes, it was a decent result for us and we came away from the game feeling a little disappointed that we didn't take all three points. We knew, going into that match, that Wolves weren't playing as well as they can and we were confident we could get a positive result.
Q:AND A WEEK EARLIER YOU RAN READING REALLY CLOSE?
A:That was a match that could have gone either way and I think reading would be the first to admit they were a bit fortunate to take all three points. In fact we've done pretty well against Reading in both matches this season – at their place it took a late winner to deny us a point.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AHEAD OF TONIGHT'S GAME AGAINST IPSWICH?
A:They are going well at the moment, after a difficult patch, but we've got to concentrate on our game and try to take the game to them. In this league, Reading aside, any one team seems capable of beating any other on a given day and we desperately need three points.
Q:HOW HAS THE PLAYERS' CONFIDENCE BEEN AFFECTED MY YOUR CURRENT LEAGUE POSITION?
A:It's always difficult when you're at the bottom of the table but we have to remain positive. Sometimes, when you're in a struggling side, you start to look for a safe pass rather that a more incisive one because you don't want to make a mistake. There is also the danger that young players can subconsciously go out there just hoping not to lose rather than thinking we can win. But football is about building momentum and a couple of wins on the bounce and everything could change very quickly.
Q:HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR A CLUB LIKE CREWE TO COMPETE AT THIS LEVEL?
A:Obviously we're one of the smaller clubs in this division and we can't afford to pay the wages and transfer fees that some of the other teams can. That means the club has to invest in young, untapped talent and Dario Gradi has been doing that brilliantly for years.
Q:SO SURVIVAL IS THE SOLE TARGET THIS SEASON?
A:Given our league position it has to be. I know it's an old cliché, but we have to take things one game at a time, starting with Ipswich tonight. A win tonight would really boost our confidence and give us the belief that we can get ourselves out of trouble.
