Reds fans find something to believe in as fortunes change

It is amazing how quickly things can change in football.
Crawley Town fan Geoff Thornton gives his views in his new column SUS-150216-163154002Crawley Town fan Geoff Thornton gives his views in his new column SUS-150216-163154002
Crawley Town fan Geoff Thornton gives his views in his new column SUS-150216-163154002

In five days Crawley have taken four points off two previously undefeated sides and have climbed into the top half of the table.

To say there is a long way to go is a massive understatement but already the fans have found something to believe in.

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The key is team spirit and the new management duo of Mark Yates and Jimmy Dack has already instilled a very determined mentality in their rather thin squad.

The fans have picked up on it and have a new song ‘We’re red and black with Yates and Dack.’

Yes, it’s simple and obvious as a chant but importantly it is indicative of how the hard core fans believe their team is heading in the right direction.

Those noisier supporters also let the rest of us know who they feel is responsible for the current mistrust of the board and senior management.

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Those chants would not bear repetition in a family newspaper but it is significant that many who would never consider joining in with the crudity nevertheless feel that the point being made is valid.

Tuesday evening’s match against Portsmouth proved really tough. The Reds were on the backfoot virtually throughout the game and they simply would not concede territory without a fight.

Freddie Woodman had another very impressive game between the posts whilst Joe McNerney was calmness personified and proved the pick of the back four.

Pompey played shrewdly as they searched for openings but in this case the immovable object proved too obdurate for the unstoppable force.

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If that performance by Crawley surprised a few it was bettered by the display at Cambridge United.

The ‘U’s have invested following last season’s profitable cup run but Reds hardly allowed them a look in. In scorching heat it was a remarkably high tempo affair and the most gratifying aspect was that it looks likely the recently departed Izale McLeod will not be missed.

I thought Roarie Deacon could not improve on his fine strike at Burgess Hill in pre-season but his two goals put me in my place. Even better though was his earlier marvellous run and shot as he lost his marker and beat the keeper only to strike the bar.

Gwion Edwards was on target again and nearly had another with a fearsome late strike into the side net. Surely it won’t be long before Matt Harrold adds goals to his vital build-up play.

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