'I honestly don’t know what to expect under Kazim-Richards next season' - Crawley Town fans answer five questions ahead to next season

Reds are preparing for their 15th consecutive season in the EFL with their new permanent Head Coach Colin Kazim-Richards at the helm.

Kazim-Richards and the board have been busy in the transfer window with eight new additions so far with a mixture of experience, youth and the most surprising transfer in EFL but not so surprising when you hear it’s Crawley Town involved.

During the off-season the training ground at the Falmer Sports Complex has been significantly improved amongst some of the biggest off-field developments for the Reds this summer.

Amidst all the events taking place in the build-up to next season, I asked five Crawley Town supporters five questions to understand the general outlook on the upcoming campaign from a fans’ perspective.

I asked five Reds fans five questions, this is what they had to say:

After surviving by the skin of their teeth on the final day of the season, what changes need to be made to ensure that Crawley don’t have a repeat of last season?

Daniel Bugg: “Simply a better squad, and a deeper one. Last year’s Crawley were not at the races on far too many occasions (Grimsby Town home and away, Barnet away in the first half, Notts County away etc). We were just outclassed so we need a team that can compete with all the League Two teams, not just the bottom five.”

Stephen North: “The change of ownership last season severely hampered our summer transfer deals; hopefully this is no longer an issue and we can get a decent spine to the team to ensure a better start.”

George Snashall: “I think the players needed to be changed. I like the system that was brought in near the end and it worked to get us over the line but I do think now having that window and more time to get it going will hopefully get us pushing up the table.”

Matthew Townsend: “I think the main changes for us to not have a repeat of last season is new changes which we have already made. Also a massive shift in mentality which I believe we will see; the signing of Jude Arthurs brings a winning mentality after winning the league with Bromley.”

Bradley Flory: “Naturally the playing style, the last group were not good enough from the start of the season and the January transfers did not restore the group we had before and the system was wrong. We need to be more attacked minded in our play next season. The club also need to engage with the fans more; the new ownership have been poor.”

What have you made of Crawley Town’s transfer window so far, what departments do you think still need to be strengthened with reinforcements, and what signing are you most excited about and why?

Daniel Bugg: “On the face of it, we’ve signed some very exciting players - Jude Arthurs captained Bromley to the title, Di Biase is very intriguing, there’s talk of Malcolm Ebiowei on loan from Palace which I’d be very excited by; however they are very high risk, high reward. I think our full backs still need strengthening. I’m most excited by Arthurs as he led his side to the title, so he’s clearly more than capable of playing League Two football.”

Stephen North: “I don’t know enough about the players we have brought in but I look forward to watching them in the friendlies. We need to be patient and allow them time to gel.”

George Snashall: “I’ve liked the window so far with making all these early signings and although we have brought in some good names, and I like to look of Jude Arthurs, that is one name that has popped out for me with him obviously being a promotion winner last season. In addition to Arthurs, Duke McKenna is one I’m also a fan of. All these players still have to prove themselves. I do think that our defence needs to be built on because we didn’t have a great backline last year and also losing Josh Flint means we need to get in a new replacement.”

Matthew Townsend: “I think so far Crawley have had a decent transfer window. The signings of Jude Arthurs and Stephen Duke-McKenna excite me a lot, especially after their performances against us last season. The positions we need to strengthen I believe are in the 8 and 10 positions, and definitely another goalkeeper as Vito will not be expected to play next season.”

Bradley Flory: “It’s been ok but pretty uninspiring except Jude Arthurs. There is a lack of experience at this level, and some with no experience is a worry. We need a goalkeeper and goals.”

One area that has seen a lot of incomings is the centre-back department. What do you make of how competitive the centre-back position is and who would be your centre-back partnership (back three or back four) before a ball has even been kicked?

Daniel Bugg: “I hope that with all the centre-backs, it will give a more competitive environment, players trying to ensure their spots in the team. I personally would go with Priestly Farquharson for a bit of League Two experience, alongside Ben Radcliffe in a back four.

Stephen North: “Our defence has been a big problem for a while so its good to see we are strengthening a lot in that area. We need to be able to play different formations depending on the opposition.”

George Snashall: “I think the position of centre-back is always highly contested, and will still be being tested throughout pre-season so I think it’s a little early to pick, but it will probably be Barker and one other.”

Matthew Townsend: “I think the signings in the centre-back department look good on paper. Priestly Farquharson obviously having been at Walsall, who have been at the high end of the table, and Pele Arganese-McDermott comes in from a strong Tottenham Hotspur Academy, who will not make it easy for others like Charlie Barker, Ben Radcliffe etc.The back four I would start with is Jonny Russell at left-back, two centre-backs in Farquharson and Barker, and Ade Adeyemo at right-back after his brilliant performances their for Colin Kazim-Richards last season”

Bradley Flory: “Hard to say as there are so many new faces I have not seen play yet, but for me Barker would be the key figure and should be in the centre of any back three or four.”

Colin Kazim-Richards is taking charge of his first season as Crawley Town manager, what do you make of the owner’s decision to make him the Red Devils permanent Head Coach, and realistically where do you think he can take Crawley this season?

Daniel Bugg: “I think it’s the right call - the initial appointment was a huge gamble but it certainly paid off. He’s an ambitious coach and he clearly instilled a bit of belief in the players, which was shown by the performances against Newport County and Salford City in particular. I think he could take us higher, but a stable mid-table finish should be the aim after a rollercoaster few years for the club.”

Stephen North: “Colin Kazim-Richards will be a very cheap option but hopefully we can develop him into a successful manager and get lots of compensation when he leaves for a better club. I hope he can get us into the playoffs but won’t be surprised if we don’t.”

George Snashall: “I think any manager that is brought in to keep a team in the football league, like he was last season, deserves to be given the chance on a permanent basis and I really hope it works for him.”

Matthew Townsend: “I believe the appointment of Colin Kazim-Richards as manager was the correct decision. Kazim-Richards came in and shifted the mentality within the squad as best he could and changed the tactics, which was needed. I honestly don’t know what to expect under Kazim-Richards next season but I believe we can push for the playoffs with a couple of new additions between now and the end of the window.”

Bradley Flory: “I like Colin Kazim-Richards, great guy and you can tell he cares and loves the club. I think it was the right appointment given what he did but it’s still so early in his managerial career and I do worry we haven’t got experience around him either. We will see but mid table would be lovely.”

As a Crawley Town fan what are you most looking forward to next season compared to other seasons and are there any specific league fixtures that you have put in bold which you are most excited for?

Daniel Bugg: “I always like the Easter weekend away game, and I think Gillingham away gives us a chance to bring a good few down there. York City in December also looks very tempting and I’m sure that one will be popular.”

Stephen North: “I look forward to every season as you just don’t know how things will turn out. I love away days in great cities so I can combine the game with long weekends away. York away will be a treat as close to my childhood home.”

George Snashall: “Any fixture excites me but I don’t know why I always like the games in and around Christmas and Easter, and of course the early games in August.”

Matthew Townsend: “Next season I’m just looking forward to hopefully enjoying the games a bit more. I want us to play some good football and have matches where we look like a proper side, where we don’t make mistake after mistake. I’m especially excited to see Colin Kazim-Richards’ playing style in the first game of the season. I would say the league fixture which I’m most excited for is the opening day against Crewe Alexandra because the atmosphere at the Broadfield Stadium on the first game of the season is always good and it’s a good feeling ahead of a new season.”

Bradley Flory: “Not really got much expectation if I am being honest, let’s just hope we are safe early on. No big fixtures for us really in League Two this year with it being a very northern league, but I guess Gillingham.”

The Reds are awaiting their first pre-season game in front of the fans this Saturday away to Eastleigh, which will give fans their first taste of what type of football Kazim-Richards will be looking to employ.

They then test themselves against Aaron Ramsey’s Oxford United on the 28th July followed by their only home pre-season fixture against Reading on the 31st July to round off pre-season, before a trip to York to fight for a spot in the Carabao Cup first round and a tie away to Watford to go alongside that, which will take place on the weekend before League Two kicks off.