Defender Set To Face Former Club This Weekend
“Every game he’s played he’s got better and there’s still a lot to come from him."From training and playing with him, he’s getting better each game and he’ll continue to do that.
"When I was there he was being linked with lots of clubs but it was just unfortunate he picked up a nasty injury.
"But when I’ve seen him at his best, he can certainly make the next step up.”
“I’m sure it will be tough for him but he’s a very good player and I’m sure he will want to do well for himself and Shrewsbury Town and we know what to expect from him.
"He hasn’t said too much about it but we’re both excited to play against them and fully looking forward to it because we do have points to prove.
“I put a few opinions across to the manager about Crewe and ‘Toots’ has done the same, but we’ve got to focus on what we’ve got to do," said Ellis.
It will be a challenging occasion for Tootle who spent six years at The Alex. The midfielder is still getting up to speed after being out with a lengthy injury but Ellis feels Shrewsbury fans will be delighted with the 24-year-old when he is back on top form: "Hopefully we have a good one, we left on good terms. Matt was injured for much of last season and the fans had different opinions on what happened but they didn’t know the ins and outs of it, so I still think we’ll both get a good reception," said Ellis.
"They were very supportive of us when we were there. If the going got tough, they could get on your back but when you’re doing well, they’re fully behind you."
Ellis is hopeful both himself and Matt Tootle will get a positive reception from the club they spent a combined eight years at.
“It’s been nice to get back into the team, we’ve switched to playing three at the back and the whole team look comfortable.
"It fits better than when it was a four, but it’s not formations that win you games. The lads are buzzing again and it’s amazing what a couple of wins can do.
"It’s given us the confidence to get going again."
"It would be nice to score but the main thing for us at the back is to keep the goals out and get keeping those clean sheets again," said Ellis.
"We managed to get one last weekend so hopefully we can build on that and try to get another.
Ellis would love to find the net against his former employers but he is looking to the bigger picture of keeping his place in the side and continuing the good form with the new formation. "Crewe like to play more out from the back than anyone else, that’s their philosophy and to build from there."
"It’s massive we get it right at home on the back of what we did last season with all the wins and clean sheets. We need to get back to that and it’s vital.” “We’ve just got to keep focused and keep working hard as a team.
"I think we’ve improved over the last few weeks with the closing down and pressurising of the opposition and that’s helped us get results."
"We’re trying to play football at the right times when the right ball is on to do it.“The momentum is with us, but from what I’ve heard, they’ve had some reasonably good performances, even though they’ve lost," said Ellis.
"They will try to cause an upset for their first win so we can’t take them lightly.
Ellis feels it is a perfect fixture for Shrewsbury to turn their home fortunes around after two away wins. "On Saturday I am there to get the right result for Shrewsbury and I’ll do whatever I can to achieve that.
"I’m still very good friends with Harry Davis. He lives across the road from me, probably 50 yards, door to door.
"I was with him on Wednesday and we get on really well. It’s been quite quiet banter wise but I’m sure there will be a few messages flying about over the weekend depending on results!"
"It’s a good club and the facilities are right up there with Championship clubs," said Ellis.
"They’ve got a decent gym and a swimming pool. They play football the right way.
"They have their own philosophy and that’s the way they want to do it.
"They might be at the bottom of the table at the moment but it could definitely sustain Championship football and they have the players to play the right way and they’ve never changed that.
"If they could get bigger and better players, they could kick on again.
The 26-year-old praised his former team and still has friends there, but he is completely focused on getting the win for Shrewsbury. "I’ve got mixed emotions," said Ellis.
"I probably do feel I have something to prove having been released so it would be nice to get a win against them.
"I don’t think I’ve really played against a former club apart from Crewe for Torquay.
"I’ve played against them two or three times and I’ve scored a couple of goals against them for Torquay.
"We drew 3-3 at Gresty Road and I notched two headers so hopefully that can continue."
Shrewsbury Town have failed to beat Crewe in their previous three meetings and the defender is hoping to change that on the weekend.
Defender Mark Ellis is excited about the visit of his former club Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.