‘Very impressed with what I've seen’ - Kevin Blackwell on first two days at Crawley Town

The experienced former Leeds United manager was appointed to fill an interim role at the club on Wednesday evening following the sacking of Colin Kazim-Richards.

Blackwell, 67, sat in front of the press for the first time to speak ahead of Crawley’s game against Darrell Clarke’s Tranmere.

On his first couple of days at the club Blackwell said that it had been ‘very good. I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve seen’. He added: “Training facilities [are] very good for this level - surprised me a little bit to be honest.

"Players [were] a little bit flat when I came in, the reason is that is where we are where we are, but they’ve really responded well, been really impressed with their attitude and overall been a really good two first days.”

Having taken his first training session on Thursday, Blackwell expressed how amazed he was with how the club operates. He said, “I think for the level the club’s at, clearly it’s not a Leeds or it’s not one of the other big clubs I’ve been at, but I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen so far.”

He spoke of his first impressions about the owner and his input, as well as the staff at the club, saying: “We’ve got a very tidy, neat club here and having spoken to the owner, very impressed with his desire for the football club... I will help out as much as I can for his vision that’s he’s got.

“My understanding is that he’s invested quite heavily in and around the club, and it shows the quality of the changing room, the offices, everything is highly professional. So I’ve been very impressed with not just the club, the facilities, the owner and the staff.”

Now Blackwell has experienced a positive first couple of days at the club but he will be looking to get down to business and seeing that replicated on the pitch to help Crawley to start getting some much needed points on the board.