‘Might need to know’ – Colin Kazim-Richards makes Crawley Town scoreline admission ahead of pivotal Salford clash
Crawley Town head coach Colin Kazim-Richards admitted his players might need to know what’s going on elsewhere in League Two as the relegation battle goes down to the final day on Saturday.
The 22nd-placed Reds host Salford City at the Broadfield Stadium knowing they will secure their EFL status for another season with a win, or if they match or better 23rd-placed Harrogate Town’s result against Barnet.
A draw may also be enough for Kazim-Richards' side if Newport County or Tranmere Rovers lose to Barrow or Grimsby Town respectively.
This is due to the Reds’ superior goal difference, with bottom-club Barrow three points and a further eight goals behind.
Captain Jay Williams admitted he would be keen to know the other scores for his own playing advantage, and the Reds boss also weighed in the topic.
He said: “I don't know if they need to know the scores, but they might need to know the moments of what's going on.
“Hopefully not, because if we do what we're supposed to do, it doesn't really matter what's going on in the other games.
“I've been here on the last day a few times. As long as you do your job, you don't really need to worry. Everybody else needs to worry about what we're doing. But then, come 70 or 75 minutes, it might need [it] for this game anyway.
“I haven't said it to them before, [but] it might need to be said. And again, that comes down to in-game management. That comes down to those moments, to those specific seconds, last minutes.”
Kazim-Richards reiterated: “If we do what we're supposed to do, I don't think they need to know.
“But if we're not, which might be the case because it's competitive, then they might have to.”
Williams, who spoke to the press ahead of the Saturday’s pivotal match, scored the Reds’ all-important equaliser in the 3-3 draw at Accrington Stanley, and Kazim-Richards stressed the talismanic midfielder’s threat going forward.
“Jay can score goals,” he said. “Jay is a great attacker of the ball. His timing is very good in terms of meeting the ball.
“That's a number eight that I want, getting into the box and coming onto crosses and being able to finish off, because he'll grab you quite a few goals. But his character – it's not questionable.”
The crucial clash promises to be breathless, and tickets are likely to sell out before Saturday afternoon’s kick-off.