Crawley Town boss admits disagreement with medical team over return of key midfielder
If ten minutes of a peformance ever summed up one player, it was Jay Williams’ brief but eventful substitute appearance against Fleetwood Town – but it didn’t nearly happen.
Williams replaced Kaheim Dixon in the dying moments as Crawley looked to defend their 2-1 lead and claim three vital points.
And with 20 seconds of coming on, he went in with a crunching tackle before squaring up with Fleetwood’s Elliot Bonds.
A few more flying tackles and some good time-wasting tactics later, Williams had helped his side survive a slightly nervy ending.
But manager Scott Lindsey admitted that he went against the medical team to bring the former Northampton Town and MK Dons midfielder on.
Williams has been out since August with an injury and strapping was visible on his leg.
"I didn't really want to put him on today the truth be known,” said Lindsey. “I wouldn’t have done at 2-0 but the fact that we concede I thought I probably needed him just to sure it up at the back.
“He's talking and organising he’s a different class, and he can pull people into positions that make us more solid. It was a decision that I made.
"The medical team didn't want me to do it, but I just went with it and he's come out of it with no problems. Obviously really pleased to see Jay back in a Crawley shirt on the pitch, doing what he does best, upsetting everyone.”