Wigan Athletic boss 'takes no rubbish'

That's the view of Crewe boss David Artell, whose side will be trying to prevent Latics recording a third league win on the bounce this weekend at the Alexandra Stadium.

“You can see why Wigan appointed John after Paul Cook left," said Artell. "He has great experience of management, he had a fantastic career as a player, and has a lot of know-how.

There is not much he hasn’t seen in football. He takes no rubbish and he is his own man. He is the ideal man to steady the ship there at the moment."

Crewe will be without Omar Beckles - who trained with Latics during pre-season - and another two unnamed players after they returned positive Covid-19 tests.

Latics will be without defenders Nathan Cameron and Adam Long for the same reason.

Ex-Latics defender Donervon Daniels - who was in the League One-winning side of 2015-16 - is in line for his league debut after featuring in the EFL Trophy against Newcastle Under-21s.

“It will be a tough game because John will stamp his authority on them," added Artell, whose side's fixture at Oxford last weekend was postponed due to Covid.

"His teams always work hard and he gets a lot out of them.

"It will be a good game and we will have to make a real good fist of it to get something from it.”