Interim boss ‘pleased’ to run the rule over Crawley Town fringe players in Jersey Mike’s Trophy
Interim manager Kevin Blackwell was ‘pleased’ with what he saw from Crawley Town’s fringe players in their Jersey Mike’s Trophy defeat to Brentford under-21s.
Two goals from Domeiro Bobb-Semple put the Bees ahead. An injury time Connor Wickham penalty gave the Reds hope, but it came too late in the game.
Speaking with club media after the game, Blackwell said: “I wanted to have a good look at the last group of the squad that I haven’t seen play, and I’m pleased that I’ve seen what I’ve seen.
“It was about getting minutes into the players that I really need to have a loot at, and I was pleased with Flinty [Josh Flint]. It was his first game for a while.
“I thought Ben Heneghan did quite well, and Connor came on and got minutes, which was all important.
“I got what I wanted out of the game. Not the result, but I got what I wanted out of the game.
“As I said to the players there, it’s given me a great chance to see them in action, and I’m pleased with what I’ve seen.”
Blackwell was displeased with his side’s effort at non-league Wimborne Town in the FA Cup – and now has 10 days to get things right for their next game, at home to Fleetwood Town on November 21.
When asked what the training ground was like after Sunday’s defeat, he said: “It was quieter, and quite rightly so. You know, they had a lot to reflect on. They let themselves down and more importantly, they let the supporters down. I said to them after the game, for me, they trained harder than they played. Now, that can’t be right.
“So, when they came in, they were very quiet. But today they were excellent. They were very, very good.
“It is now totally focused on the league. I think what the club needs to do is focus on the league. I don’t think we need anything to distract us whatsoever. And now everybody knows what they’ve got to do.”
Without a game this weekend, the Reds will have two games in hand over the other sides at the bottom of League Two – but they could find themselves six points from safety if results go against them.
Blackwell continued: “We want to be playing in the Football League next season. It’s important we stay in the Football League and that’s what I’m focused on.
“So, in a selfish way from a coaching point of view, I’m glad these things are out of the way. Now we can just focus purely on the league.
“I think with the games that we are behind on, they’re going to be catching up soon, and it means we go Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday in the winter. I think two of them are away from home as well.
“So, I just need everyone fit and at this moment in time, focussing on our status in the Football League, and everything we’re doing at the moment.
“The owners are trying to help. Everything is positive and the big changes are behind the scenes for the future. They know we’ve got to improve in certain areas, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”