CREWE Alexandra’s development coach Alex Morris reckons this year could be a big one for a crop of younger players after a period of settling in.

Morris, who took charge of a young side in Monday night’s 1-1 draw with Kidsgrove Athletic, admits the talent is there but said those players must now demonstrate that they are tactically and mentally equipped to perform on a consistent basis at first team level.

Morris said: “There are a number of our younger players who have now had their settling in period.

“They have had a taste of first-team football now and they know what is needed both on and off the pitch.

“They have had some good games and some indifferent ones.

“They have the talent and the technical ability, but they have also got to show that they are tactically and mentally right to play consistently well to fulfil the potential.

“There is plenty of talent and they have to give it a right go to press on to get into the first team.

“They have to produce that consistency to make sure they are regulars for the manager.

“They know they have a pathway to the first team here and it’s the coaches’ job to make sure they have the best chance of making it all the way through.

“That’s the name of the game here and has been ever since Dario came here in the 1980s.”

Morris added that centre-half George Ray would have benefited greatly from completing 90 minutes against Kidsgrove on Monday night.

Ray captained a young Crewe side to hard-fought 1-1 draw in Staffordshire.

Morris was pleased with Ray’s mature contribution at the heart of the defence, especially as he partnered non-centre-halves, Ryan Wintle and Ollie Finney.

Morris said: “It was a good work out for all of them against some seasoned semi-professionals. It was competitive and they had to cope with that. They would not have been used to playing in front of a crowd and having fans not agree with decisions of the referee.

“I was pleased with George. It wasn’t really the intention to play him for the full 90 minutes. We wanted to see how the game developed and I am sure in the end he will benefit from coming through his first 90 minutes of pre-season.

“We needed his experience and leadership qualities and he certainly helped guide the younger players through, some of whom were scholars.”

The Railwaymen will be hosting Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday 15 July with the friendly game kicking off at 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £5 for seniors and £2 for Under-16s.

Call the ticket office on 01270 252610 or call in between 9am-5pm.