Cobblers boss Keith Curle says he has a lot of respect for his opposite number on Saturday as Northampton Town prepare for the trip to Crewe Alexandra.
“Crewe have done very well and David Artell is a good young manager who is gaining an identity,” he said.
“They have got a way of playing which we are very respectful of and I like David as a person which is why I signed him twice as a player.
“He is enjoying his football and he is a very honest person who has a good understanding of the game.
“We are gaining an identity and a way of winning games with this group of players. It might not always be applauded or respected but we’ve got clear objectives this season but this is us. We need to be realistic and pragmatic and give ourselves the best chance of getting results against some very good teams and good players in what is a strong division.
“The pleasing thing from the game at Exeter was our reaction when they equalised. Our two goals typified what we are about, we know we are a threat from set pieces, it has taken us a little bit of time to get there this season but we are starting to take the hand-break off.
“Last season I think we were top goalscorers in the division from set pieces but with a new group it does take time to pick up the thread. Set pieces are opportunities to put the ball into dangerous areas and if we can get our delivery and movement right it gives us the chance to get efforts in on goal.
“Benny Ashley-Seal is getting used to the rigours of the professional game, he is learning and developing and the lad can score goals. He needs to work on his heading in the box but it’s his attitude towards learning that I appreciate."
Curle has meanwhile provided a fitness update on Joseph Mills and Scott Pollock.
“They are both on schedule,” he confirmed
“Scott has had a second injection to deal with some lingering inflation around his tendon joint and Joseph has just started doing his first pitch based rehab and now we need to get him back into normal running.
“Having those two players back will be like having two new additions and the sooner we can get them back into full training the better.”