On Saturday, Crewe beat fellow strugglers Gillingham 4-1 at Gresty Road and Dean Ashton marked his 150th league game for the Alex with a brace of goals. After the game Dean, whose continued good form has reportedly made him a target for some of the Premiership big boys, spoke to Brian Beard for givemefootball.
Q:ALL ROUND A GOOD DAY FOR YOU AND FOR CREWE?
A:Yes, it was an important win and nice to get on the scoresheet.
Q:THE OPENING HALF HOUR WAS PRETTY POOR BUT IT WAS A SPECIAL GOAL THAT BROKE THE DEADLOCK, FROM DAVID VAUGHAN?
A:It was a very good move and David was involved in the build-up as well as being on hand to finish well. David has improved a great deal and he is showing some very good dribbling skills and passing skills, and that]s what we need and long may it continue.
Q:DAVID HAS REPRESENTED WALES AT UNDER 21 LEVEL, ARE YOU SURPRISED HE HASN'T MADE THE BREAKTHROUGH INTO THE FULL INTERNATIONAL SIDE?
A:I can't understand why David hasn't been involved more often. He has been playing very well this season and deserves another chance. I look at the players currently in the Welsh team and definitely feel David could be in there with them.
Q:WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS BROUGHT ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE CREWE TEAM?
A:We have been working very hard and that gives us a platform on which to build. Obviously the team we have got now has been together for quite a while and we all know each other. We know our strengths and weaknesses so I think it shows that we are all working together.
Q:ON A PERSONAL NOTE, NOT A BAD WAY TO CELEBRATE YOUR 150TH LEAGUE GAME, TWO GOALS?
A:That's the first time I have heard that but it's nice to be consistently playing. I don't want to be known as a crock so I would like to play as many games as I can and obviously play as well as I can.
Q:KENNY LUNT SET UP BOTH YOUR GOALS AND WHEN YOU HAVE A PLAYER LIKE HIM IT DOES MAKE THE STRIKER'S JOB THAT MUCH EASIER?
A:Obviously, there are strikers around who can beat five players and smash it into the back of the net but for those who aren't like that you have to rely on good service, and Kenny has been providing just that for years.
Q:AS A STRIKER DO YOU WORRY IF CHANCES DON'T COME YOUR WAY, OR WHEN YOU MISS THEM?
A:You don't get worried but you're annoyed, obviously, because you expect to put chances away but I think you have to think that you will put the next one away. It's a lot to do with confidence.
Q:WHAT IS THIS CREWE TEAM CAPABLE OF?
A:Obviously survival is the main thing for this club but we all believe we could push on, mid-table and further because we have got young players who are improving all the time. As long as we keep doing that I don't see why we can't move up.
Q:WHEN YOU FIRST BROKE ON THE SCENE A LOT OF NICE THINGS WERE BEING WRITTEN ABOUT YOU. WHERE DO YOUR AMBITIONS LIE NOW?
A:I try not to look at that sort of thing but obviously any young player would love to play in the top flight and you look at those great players playing there and you want to be playing with them. When that happens, and if that happens, then I would be happy and ready to do it.
