Crawley Town midfielder expresses confidence and belief in what Reds can achieve this season after signing new deal
Louie Watson expressed his confidence and belief in what Crawley Town can achieve next season after putting pen to paper on a new two-year deal at the club.
The 25-year-old signed a new two-year deal with the club this week. He initially joined the club in February 2025 and had a mixed season in and out of the side as Reds just avoided relegation by one point.
Speaking to the club after committing the next couple of years at the Broadfield Stadium, Watson said: “I feel like within this team, I know we have enough to really kick on this year.
“The hard work begins when we go into that first day of pre-season, on my birthday, July the 6th. We can hit the ground running and have a good amount of time together to get ready for the season and start well.”
Watson emphasised the importance for “clarity” at the start of a season to help the club prepare efficiently for the upcoming campaign, to put them in the best position possible for a successful season and he believes the club have more of that this year.
The former Luton Town man said: “Success loves clarity, and clarity is so important in a footballer’s career and a club’s career because without it you are in no man’s land, and I feel like going into the season there is a lot more of that this year, and it will hold us in good stead going into the games and going into the tough periods during December, January, and I feel like we will be ready as a team and as a club to really kick on.”
Watson, who used to play with current Crawley Head Coach Colin Kazim-Richards at Derby, conveyed not only the success he feels the Reds can have as a team this season but also personally knowing what he can bring to the team and that the fans have only seen glimpses of what he can do in a Crawley shirt.
“The last little stint I had showed more about myself. At the start, I feel like I was playing in my shell and I don’t even feel like that last stint was anywhere near what I can do,” he said.
The midfielder added: “So it’s about this year hitting the ground running, like I said before, and really portraying myself in the best picture possible and helping this team get to where we need to get to, and getting this club back into that League One, in which I signed.
“I believe this club is more than capable of competing at that level, so we need to really sit down over this period now with the gaffer, the chats we’ve been having and hit the ground running come pre-season.”
The 25 year old will be looking to play more of a role in the squad this season and showcase his abilities particularly as a creative outlet for the Reds.
Watson becomes the first Reds player to sign a new contract of those who were in negotiations with the club at the end of last season, who else may join him in signing a new contract?