Lee Bell hails ‘outstanding’ display as Crewe cruise to big win at Shrewsbury

Crewe boss Lee Bell was grinning from ear to ear after his side’s 4-0 victory at Shrewsbury.

The Railwaymen got back to winning ways in fine style as Josh March’s brace was sandwiched between Matt Cox’s unfortunate own goal and Emre Tezgel’s 14th strike of the season.

And Bell hailed his side as “outstanding” as they remained within touching distance of the play-off places.

He said: “I thought it was an outstanding 90 minutes.

“There were four really good goals. But I thought the desire to do the other side of the game was there for everybody to see.

“My message in the dressing room was that we need to produce that level of performance again.

“I’m really pleased for them. There wasn’t anybody who was below par and that’s what we need.

“I was desperate for them to get a clean sheet. The scoreline doesn’t show how many blocks we had on the edge of the box.

“I’m expecting the players to play with passion and energy so it’s only right I do so from the sideline.

“It’s probably the best away day I’ve had since I’ve been doing it alongside Stockport. They absolutely took over the place.

“If they’re coming to show that support for the players then they deserve to get that passion back.”

Shrews boss Gavin Cowan was brutally honest in his assessment of his side’s performance and questioned whether his players have “checked out” after pushing themselves clear of the relegation battle.

He said: “We were second best all day.

“First of all I’d like to apologise to the fans. To be at home and lose three on the spin at home is hard to take.

“To have the opposition fans singing and having their best day out of the year at our expense is tough to take and I’m gutted for them.

“It was hard to sit up there with the suspension. I was disappointed not to be on the touchline, but I’m really disappointed for the fans, the chairman and the club because it’s been a really difficult day.

“I’m just being honest. We were second best all over the pitch.

“It was kamikaze at the start. It’s interesting because we’ve come in to the club and had a bit of success. The players have shown what they’re capable of.

“Today was all about mentality. I’m loath to do it, but I always try to be honest with the supporters and the club. I’m big on taking responsibility, as a manager it’s important to do that, but today I’ve got to put a bit on the players.

“They have to be accountable for themselves. It comes down to whether some of them have checked out and think we’re already safe.”