CAPTAIN Matt Tootle has fired up the Alex dressing room ahead of Saturday’s crunch derby against Port Vale.

Rock-bottom of League One, Crewe are desperate to kick-start their season with a victory at Gresty Road.

And the 23-year-old defender has taken action – bringing his teammates together for a frank discussion to figure out what has gone wrong so far.

Now it’s time to put things right.

“We’ve got to try and forget about the first month,” he explained.

“With the derby coming up, it couldn’t have worked out better.

“Hopefully this can get our season going.

“I’ve been here for a while and the dressing room we’ve got is one of the tightest for a few years.

“So all I can do is put it down to a lack of confidence.

“We’ve had a few bad performances and maybe some of the younger lads aren’t used to playing Saturday and Tuesday every week.

“We played 120 minutes in the cup and then went off to Gillingham.

“It’s not an excuse but it’s harder than people to think to play that often, especially for the younger ones.

“Last season was a real roller-coaster and we managed to survive on the last day.

“I don’t think anyone saw that coming, or this.

“But last time we got promoted we also had a terrible start so I keep saying it’s not over yet.

“We’ve got to pick ourselves up and go again.”

Both sides need three points – Crewe in the midst of their worst start to a season in over 30 years while Vale arrive off the back of four straight defeats.

Tootle wants the Alex fans to make sure they dominate a bumper crowd and a potentially tense afternoon.

“The lads know how much I thrive on it,” he added.

“I hope the atmosphere will be good.

“I know it’s hard for the supporters to be upbeat but we need their support more than ever.

“They have to be the ones that lift us – it is that important.

“It’s a game for the bragging rights.

“We’ve got to let the fans see we’ve done the work and get a result because we need one.

“As a player, I’ve said a hundred times how important it is to hear that support.

“I hope no-one thinks this isn’t hurting the lads.

“It’s not a nice place at my house on a Saturday.

“This is when you show your character and show you’re in the game to be a winner.”

Midfielder Jamie Ness is back in training but won’t be in contention to feature on Saturday.

Davis will check on the fitness of both striker Marcus Haber and defender George Ray after they return from international duty.