Crewe Alexandra Manager Dario Gradi expressed his delight after seeing youngster Matt Tootle make his first team debut during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Northampton.
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Gradi said:
“That’s the fun of being at Crewe, that’s why it’s important to do well and to get us out of trouble so that I can continue to enjoy it.”
Young defender Tootle, who replaced the injured John Brayford, produced an impressive performance for Alex in his first start.
Crewe are still 17th in League Two, six points above the relegation zone, but Gradi said:
“You’ve got to focus on enjoying the football because obviously the situation that we’re in is a difficult one.”
Meanwhile Tootle, who was an Apprentice at the Club this time last year, said that he relished the opportunity to start at Sixfields.
“I wasn’t nervous when Dario told me I was playing, I was just excited,” he said. “I just had to get my head on straight away because I was buzzing I was in the team.”
“When I got my first touch I just wanted to do it properly and not do anything stupid, and then after that I could enjoy it because in the first half we were outstanding.”
