Westwood is a product of Crewe's youth system

Crewe midfielder Ashley Westwood says his side need to kick-start their season following two defeats in their opening League Two matches.

The 20-year-old wore the captain's armband for the first time in the 3-2 defeat at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Westwood told BBC Radio Stoke: "We can't blame anyone other than ourselves for the results, we have to do better.

"The mistakes have come back into our game and if we don't cut them out we will be in for a struggle."

Crewe finished a disappointing 18th in the league last season and they replaced manager Gudjon Thordarson with Dario Gradi after a poor run of results in October 2009.

606: DEBATE I don't think young Ashley Westwood is ready to lead by example just yet The_Golden_Standard

Gradi said: "We could easily have got a point from each game, so there's no need for any shouting, ranting and raving because I think the players tried to play football.

"They're all trying to play, having a go and to score the set-play was good.

"As we said all last season we need to score from set-plays to rescue situations like this."

Meanwhile Crewe have completed the signing of 20-year-old winger Lewis Short from Congleton Town on a 12-month contract.

It is the former supermarket worker's first professional deal.

Gradi said: "Lewis has a good left foot with some ability so I think he is worth a go.

"I am not expecting him to be around the first team this season, however him being here should see him make progress and I think it's a typical Crewe signing."

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