Balanced perspective from Davis

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The sale of skipper Ashley Westwood to Aston Villa in the transfer window will certainly have improved the financial situation at Gresty Road.

"What we did do was weaken the squad by losing those two so it became important to strengthen it again for the fans and the players that are still here" - Steve Davis

But manager Steve Davis says it is important that any outgoing players are swiftly replaced by sufficient quality to maintain the momentum gained for the club from last season's exploits.

Crewe reported an increased loss of £962,736 in their last financial year but have since been involved in a number of lucrative sales.

Heading that was the £6m transfer of Nick Powell to Manchester United while the Westwood deal was understood to be somewhere akin to a third of that figure.

Meanwhile, striker Shaun Miller recently departed for Sheffield United with around £70,000 changing hands and there was also an initial £300,000 received for youth prospect Danny Smith from Liverpool.

"The Powell deal helped stabilise the club's finances and they will look even more healthy after the sale of Ashley," Davis told This is Staffordshire. "But what we did do was weaken the squad by losing those two so it became important to strengthen it again for the fans and the players that are still here to give a bit of hope by bringing in someone who is good."

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