Gradi says he will take action against players whose discipline slips

Crewe Alexandra boss Dario Gradi was critical of his own side's discipline after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Oxford.

The game saw six yellow cards and one red, with Crewe picking up just one booking, for captain David Artell.

But Gradi said he was disappointed with his side's reaction to what he regarded as a physical approach from Oxford.

"The players lost their heads just as we'd done enough to win the game and started doing stupid things," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

The Crewe boss said he would deal with those players whose behaviour slipped below the standards he expects.

"It's not so much our players although Westy [Ashley Westwood] needs a revision course. I think it's the players that have come in and they've probably been doing it all their lives. They think that's the way to behave but they know I won't tolerate that.

"I will earmark the right people and if that happens again it'll be the last time," he said.

I'm not asking for protection from referees I'm just asking them to do their job Dario Gradi

Despite directing much of his anger at his own side, Gradi also criticised referee Geoff Eltringham for failing to take early action against an Oxford approach that resulted in 12 fouls given against the away side.

"The referee allowed so many fouls before he booked people. The warning signs were there - everybody in the ground knew.

"I'm not asking for protection from referees I'm just asking them to do their job," he added.

Defender Artell was also critical of Eltringham and believes Oxford goalscorer James Constable could have been dismissed sooner than he was.

"Players know what is a foul that is a bit innocuous and [what is] a cynical foul, but the ref doesn't seem to know the difference," said Artell.

"There was a lot more of the cynical variety that needed to be punished with yellow cards and he didn't stamp his authority on the game early."

Meanwhile, Crewe have taken Scottish-American left-back Euan Holden on trial.

The 22-year-old was born in Aberdeen but spent much of his youth in the United States and is the brother of Bolton's American international midfielder Stuart Holden.

He has been playing in Denmark, but will feature in a reserve game against Shrewsbury on Wednesday.

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