Former Brighton and Hove Albion and Doncaster Rovers midfielder says Crawley Town are 'getting there' after vital point at Colchester
Crawley Town midfielder Taylor Richards believes the goalless draw at Colchester United as a well-earned a point - but said they must be braver as they enter the final nine games of the season.
Reds picked up another valuable point with a dogged performance at the JobServe Community Stadium. The home side had more chances to win the game but Scott Lindsey’s men had the better of them, with Klaidi Lolos and Ronan Darcy both coming close.
But it’s another point and another resilient display by the Reds as they look to put space between them and the relegation zone in League Two. They are still 21st in the table but are now two points clear of the relegation zone.
Richards, who has been playing in a slightly deeper midfield role in the last couple of games, said they are close to getting three points but have to more. “We have to do it. It's us that's on the pitch,” he said. “So we go again Tuesday. I know everyone's up for it, so hopefully we can get a result there. And I think that the result is coming, but we've just got to be more clinical in the final third, we've got to make more chances and we've got to be braver.
"I feel like we're getting to that point.”
On the performance, Richards said: “I feel like we started well. First 15 minutes, we put it on them. We started well last week. But I feel like after that, they got a bit of momentum from that, but it's a good point in the end, I feel. “It'd be better if we win on Tuesday.”
This point and the 2-2 draw against Swindon Saturday has shown this Crawley side have a real fight in them. “Before we start playing football, we have to earn the right, second balls,” said Richards.
"Myself, I've had to learn how to compete more, be on the second balls. I take pride in trying to be better at that every game. So I feel like that's what we have to do, put tackles in, work hard and then when we get the ball down, we can play. We have the players to do that. We just have to keep on improving and move on to Tuesday.”
Richards also said he has been his new deeper role and is just happy to be ‘on the grass’. He said: “League Two is different. It's more grit, more second balls. Something that I haven't been, you wouldn't really class me as.
"It's a different challenge for me but I'm just enjoying my football. I’m happy to be on the pitch because I've had a lot of setbacks recently. So just being on the pitch with the boys, it's a blessing.
"I'm happy to be on the grass. There's nothing better than playing football. The boys have been great with me and the manager. I appreciate the trust that he's put in me to play and wherever I play, I just give my all.”
Reds host Barnet at the Broadfield Stadium on Tuesday night.