Even Dario Was Impressed

Even the Crewe Technical Director Dario Gradi was praising the way in which Forest played on Saturday in the 2-0 victory at the City Ground.

The game was probably the best performance that the Reds have put in since Calderwood took charge. Although CC is rightly cautious and trying to keep everyone's feet on the ground, the praise must make a refreshing change.

Gradi told the Crewe website. 'You just have to applaud Nottingham Forest and say well done. They played very well and were better than us. That is the level you have to be aiming for if you want to be one of the best teams in this division.'

Crewe didn't play badly and it was probably the fact that they came and had a go that made it easier for Forest to play. All too often teams come to the City Ground and just shut up shop, but the Railwaymen came out and played football. If it was not for the heroics of keeper Williams the scoreline would have been harder on them. A fact not lost on Gradi as he said. 'He made some exceptional saves all afternoon. One he got from our top corner was really exceptional. He seems to be getting that real agility back and the confidence is there.'