Crewe Alexandra are flying high in League Two this season, sitting one point clear at the top of the table.

After a mid-table finish last season, it is something of a surprise that the Railwaymen have climbed so high at the start of the 2019/20 campaign.

However, you have to give credit to manager David Artell, who took charge of the club in January 2017 and has led his side to an improved finish every year since.

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After the start they have made this season, Crewe have to be considered as serious contenders for promotion up to League One.

With that in mind, we have broken down three things that Artell is getting right at Crewe right now.

His side's quality in the final third.

Despite being a centre-back in his playing days, Artell's side's attacking prowess is what has helped them to climb up to the top of the third flight of English football this season.

Crewe are the joint top-scorers in League Two, having found the net 26 times in just 15 appearances.

The 38-year-old has set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation throughout the 2019/20 campaign but it has not just been his front three that have had success in front of goal.

35-year-old striker Chris Porter is the Railwaymen's leading scorer but 11 of his players have found the net this season.

Their form on the road.

In the 2019/20 campaign, Crewe have been sensational on the road, winning five of their seven games and losing just once.

That record means they have won the most points away from home in the division, despite playing one less game than the majority of teams.

Their home form has not been poor (four wins, two draws, two losses) but so far their away form has helped them to stay at the top of the division.

The mix of experience and youth. 

One of the things that is really admirable about the success at Crewe is the way Artell has built a squad that combines both experience and youth.

The 38-year-old has given responsibility to a number of young players, such as Tommy Lowery, Charlie Kirk, Ryan Wintle, and Owen Dale.

While, on the other side of the spectrum, he has players like Porter, Eddie Nolan, Paul Green, and Nicky Hunt, who have been in English football for a long time and will no doubt be able to help out the younger members of the squad.

Clearly, that approach has been successful so far.