STEVE Davis believes Crewe Alexandra have shown enough improvement to prove they can pull off another great escape in 2016.

With just one defeat in four since that 5-1 hammering against Peterborough, the Alex have got back into the mix of struggling League One sides and drew 1-1 with Fleetwood on Saturday.

And as only five points separate the bottom eight, the boss says the picture will keep changing.

“Only wins are going to get you out of it,” he said.

“Draws are not going to be enough.

“We know that we need to try and win games but sometimes in trying to win, you can end up losing.

“When you push forward, you can leave gaps that good teams and good forwards exploit.

“We have to try and find that right balance.

“After a decent first-half against Fleetwood, the second just wasn’t good enough.

“It will keep swapping around and we’ve just got to make sure we look after our own game and get enough points.

“From our last four, we’ve won two, drawn one and lost so that’s decent form and if we can take that into our next four, we’ll get out of the drop zone.

“We want to be looking up rather than down.

“But one thing is for sure, we’ll need to improve on the performance against Fleetwood.”

Davis is likely to make changes for the Boxing Day clash at Rochdale with midfielder Adam King, Brad Inman and Callum Saunders ready for recalls.

“There are no safe places and I’m looking for more from them,” added Davis.

“Whatever side I pick at Rochdale has to do better.

“I think they know that, they don’t need me standing and shouting in front of them to get it across.

“They know when they’ve done well and when they haven’t.

“If we’re going to win enough to get out of the bottom four, we need to have everyone on it for the full 90 minutes.”

Back-to-back home games complete the festive period as Crewe face Shrewsbury, December 28, and promotion-chasing Coventry on Saturday, January 2.

Striker Ryan Lowe is hoping to stick around beyond that and fire the Alex to safety.

The 37-year-old has scored two in four since arriving on loan from Bury.

“I think it’s time to move on and if we can strike a deal there is only one place I want to be,” he said.

“I know I’m coming to the end of my career but I want to help this club get out of the bottom half and that would be an achievement.

‘I’ve been brought in to score goals and add some experience and I think I’ve contributed and I want to do more.”