Crewe's home form 'critical' for playoff challenge

Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell is focused on his side's home form ahead of the busy festival period.

The Alex play six games in 22 days up until the visit of Cheltenham Town on New Year's Day as they try to close the two-point gap separating them from the play-off places in League Two.

Bottom-of-the-table Newport County come to the Mornflake Stadium on Wednesday with Crewe attempting to build on a record of five wins from their nine games at home so far.

"There was a stage where we were really good at home over the last couple of years," Bell told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We were hard to play against, we put some good performances on and if they weren't good we were able to get over the line with a win.

"It's sort of gone away a little bit but we're somewhere near getting that home form [back] because that will be critical going forward."

With four wins out of their last five at home, Bell wants his side to emulate the records of 2022-23 and 2023-24, when they picked up 11 victories on their own patch.

With their next three home games against teams all currently struggling in League Two - Newport on Wednesday, Bristol Rovers on 19 December and Cheltenham on 1 January, Bell knows the upcoming schedule could help shape their season.

"Of course it could. I'm not saying you win two games you've cracked it or you lose a couple and it's the end of the world," he said.

"Throughout the Christmas period there are 15 or 16 teams who think they can get into the play-offs or that top three.

"It's exciting times and something we need to look forward to."