STEVE Davis insists Crewe Alexandra can beat the drop as they head into a crunch festive spell.

The Alex remain rock-bottom of League One, six points adrift of safety after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Scunthorpe United.

However, Davis believes his side have improved dramatically since a disastrous start to the season of just one win in 11 games.

“The position we’re in is because of that early-season form,” he said.

‘We’re starting to play some really good football now but the hard part is turning that into wins.

“All we can do is keep playing well and the rest will come.

“I thought there was a massive gap between us and Scunthorpe at times.

“In terms of our footballing ability, we were much better but at the minute it boils down to results.

“Hopefully we can keep improving and with that improvement will come those results.”

Davis remains positive as they gear up for a tough programme with home games against leaders Bristol City and third-placed Preston North End either side of a Boxing Day trip to Oldham.

He says the lads are up for it.

“We’ve picked ourselves up and we’ll be ready for Saturday and Bristol City,” he added.

“We have some really exciting games over Christmas and we will look forward to them.”

Davis is likely to keep faith in his new-look front two of Nicky Ajose and Uche Ikpeazu after hailing them as “unplayable” against Scunthorpe.

Ajose scored his first since joining Crewe on loan from Leeds United while 19-year-old Ikpeazu remained a constant threat.

“I thought they were both excellent,” explained Davis.

“I thought their movement and the way they linked up proved a real handful for the opposition right the way through the game.

“They are still finding their fitness and over time they will get even better.

“We’ve got great hope with Lauri Dalla Valle that he’ll be fit for this weekend and when you’ve got those types of players, it does give everybody a lot more confidence.”

Alan Tate could play his final game against the table-toppers although Davis has not ruled out another loan stint when the window reopens on January 3.

“We’ve got some time to consider whether to bring him back,” he continued.

“He’s been great around the place and obviously has a wealth of experience that he has brought to the group.

“He’s had a few niggling injuries that have held him back but he’s fitted in well with the players, they all respect him and look up to him.

“I’ll decide what we need to do in January and obviously he is the first of a number of loan players who are up.”