Alex upsurge is no fluke (From Warrington Guardian)

Alex upsurge is no fluke

CREWE boss Dario Gradi isn't sure where his side is heading in 2005 but insists their rise in the Championship is no fluke.

Stunning form of five victories in an unbeaten seven has taken the Alex up into tenth place in the table.

But after being similarly placed at this stage last year, it's no surprise that everyone is acting with a little more caution.

Play-off talk was rife with Crewe 11th after taking 36 points out of 26 games but they started 2004 with a miserable 1-0 FA Cup exit to Telford and won just four more games afterwards to scrap home to safety.

Again six points outside the top six although this time with a game in hand, no one is repeating any bold predictions.

One thing's for sure though, the Alex are getting better.

"I couldn't say we're going up," said Gradi.

"We need to control games better and I still think we can get better.

"The answer is I don't know how we'll finish but it can't be a fluke, I think we're getting better.

"We're keeping players out and we're seven unbeaten."

First-half goals from Richard Walker and Mark Rivers set the Alex up for their latest three points at Loftus Road on Tuesday.

And Ian Holloway was the latest in a long line of managers to feel hard done to after not beating Crewe.

"We've had 36 lucky points if you listen to other managers like Glenn Hoddle after sides have had more of the play," continued Gradi.

"The fact is we've had the better chances and looked dangerous.

"We were dangerous again today (at QPR) and long may it continue."

Bagging an awesome 45 goals so far this season speaks for itself but Crewe's improved resilience has also been key to their recent success.

QPR's second-half barrage with little potency obviously deceived Holloway.

"I thought we weren't terrific in the first half but we were dangerous," added Gradi.

"It was nice to score from a corner and the second goal was terrific.

"I said we needed to play better in the second half but we couldn't get hold of the ball.

"Still we were blocking most of their efforts and it looked like it was only ever going to be a scramble.

"Shittu scored to make it exciting but Dean had a good chance to make it three before when he went through.

"Wolves played football, they just whacked it in although I'm not taking anything away from them.

"We knew it would be a bit of a battle and that if we went ahead, they'd throw everything at us."

Gradi wasn't too happy about Clayton Ince's decision to refuse a wall for Paul Furlong's last-gasp free kick.

Handball by Steve Foster gave QPR a sniff while dissent from Adie Moses saw the set piece moved forward to the edge of the box before Ince made the save.

"I was annoyed, Adie should know better," explained Gradi.

"I didn't fancy that (no wall). We'll have to have a chat about that and then decide what I want to do."