STEVE Davis says Crewe Alexandra must focus ahead of Saturday’s vital home clash with Oldham Athletic.

Back-to-back defeats against the top two have left the Alex hovering just above the League One drop zone once again.

With nine games to go, it looks like the Railwaymen are going to need to win three of their remaining fixtures to stave off relegation.

And this weekend appears to be one of their best opportunities to reignite those hopes.

Goals from Aaron Wilbraham, Aden Flint and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas ensured a comfortable night for leaders City on Tuesday as the Alex slumped to a 3-0 defeat.

That followed last weekend’s 5-1 defeat at Preston.

However Davis insists his side will pick themselves up quickly “We knew we had two difficult games,” he admitted.

“They were the two most difficult of the season on the way they are both performing and we were realistic on how we set up.

“We didn’t want to get over-run and had to allow them some possession because if we’d pressed them, they would have picked us off.

“We always want to win games but we have to be realistic when going to teams like Bristol City.

“We have to put realism aside, we’ve come come to a side who are running away with the league and have a fantastic set of players.

“Some of them can’t even get into the 18 so that was what we were up against.

“But I thought we worked hard although we didn’t have enough legs in certain areas and we couldn’t cause them enough problems.

“We were beaten by the better teams, I’ve no excuses from the two games and that’s what we have to aspire to.

“The two results we’ve had doesn’t change anything.

“We will still be in the right frame of mind for the weekend and we’ll come out fighting.

‘We had a go but we weren’t good enough.

‘But we’ve not lost sight of what we need to do and the games coming up will be important for us.”

Nicky Ajose is likely to be back in the starting line-up for Crewe in a game where they must despatch Oldham, who continue to tumble down the division.

“I’ve told the lads not to dwell on what has happened,” he added.

“We need to be ready for the teams that are in and around us.

“I was frustrated with the goals we conceded on Tuesday because they were all avoidable.

“We could have cut the first out, done better at the far post with the Flint header and they’ve walked the last one in.

“That’s not good enough.

‘But I couldn’t fault their efforts on Tuesday.

“I’ve never questioned that and we must be ready to go again against Oldham.”