Crawley Town FC Meeting the opposition questions (GAME 28-02-23).
Tranmere Rovers come into Tuesday’s clash against Crawley Town, on the back of an away win against second placed Stevenage.
It was a penalty struck by Josh Hawkes, as regular taker Kane Hemmings is out with injury, that broke the deadlock.
There is a feeling by many that The Rovers are well out of the Play-off chase as Micky Mellon’s men are currently placed 13th.
However, a win against 23rd placed Crawley could add to the recent three points and spark a great run of form. Is there time for some optimism?
Ahead of the game I spoke to the Chair of the Crawley Town Supporters Alliance about all things Red Devils.
Hi Reuben, you chair the Crawley Town Supporters Association. How long have you been doing that and what does that role entail?
Back in October, I was made the interim chair of the CTSA. Last week, I dropped the word interim when I was elected by the board to be chair! I have the privilege of being able to lead a 500 member strong and the only Crawley Supporters group of any kind. At the moment, the main bit of the role is liaising with the owners and the acting CEO of the club, holding them to account whilst also encouraging honesty and transparency from them
Crawley finished 12th last season and are currently in the relegation zone. How would you describe the campaign and what are the reasons behind the poor form?
Shocking, poor, and unexpected. We should be anywhere but the relegation zone. We have been poor in the January transfer window, letting go of key players (Tom Nichols and Glen Morris) to relegation rivals, and having managers who are not equipped for the football league.
In the January Window players such as midfielder Ben Gladwin, from Swindon, and defender Kellan Gordon, from Mansfield, were signed. Were the issues that needed to be addressed focused on?
I think in both Gladwin and Gordon we have improved in those areas. However, right now we lack goals and lack any depth in midfield. We have been really unlucky with injuries.
The Red Devils have had three men at the helm this season, the current man Scott Lindsey is formerly of Swindon Town. What are your thoughts on him, His relationship with fans and his playing style?
You could argue that we have had 5 different people manage games this season (Betsy, Young, Etherington, Byfield and now Lindsey)! We seem to be playing better football under Lindsey that we have done in the best but right now, it still isn’t good enough. Will it come with time? Probably. Will it be too late by the time the team clicks and works on a solid formation? Probably. Lindsey is passionate and always has time for the fans.
It is the relatively controversial WAGMI United Cryptocurrency group that are the owners of Crawley. They have been at the club since April 2022. What are your thoughts on them, their current plans and their relationship with fans?
Right now they need football people in the club which is what they have been lacking since they came in. If they had a strong CEO with proper football experience then I don’t think we’d be in the position we are in. We would certainly not be the laughing stock of the football league. WAGMI United promises honesty and transparency but as of yet, they have not given that.
One man to watch out for on Tuesday night is striker Dominic Telford, he has struck gold eight times and assisted two in 29 games. How would you describe his playing style?
What he needs is the supply. Get the ball down to his feet and in the box and he will score.
Where will the key battles be played out at Prenton Park?
We haven’t won an away game this season and so for us, keeping a clean sheet is a priority. In Kane Hemmings, you have a player who will cause us difficulties. However, hopefully with Ashley Nadesan’s pace for us, we will be able to utilise it and score a couple.
What is your score prediction? The two clubs are yet to meet this season but The Whites won three of the three ties last year, all by one goal.
I need to be optimistic and so I think Crawley will win 2 – 1 with Telford and Joel Lynch scoring.
What are your thoughts on The Rovers? Micky Mellon’s side are positioned 13th and come into this one having beaten Stevenage 1-0 away from home.
I have always been impressed with Tranmere whenever I have seen them play and with you beating a strong Stevenage team, it shows that perhaps you are in a bit of a false position. Prenton Park is always a difficult place to come with a strong crowd, especially on a Tuesday night.
Tranmere have lost one of their last six home matches, last time out against Mansfield Town. Tuesday’s visitors have won none of their away games all season, it won’t come here … will it?