‘We know where our future lies’ – Crawley Town interim manager not disheartened by Jersey Mike’s Trophy exit

The Reds suffered an embarrassing defeat to seventh-tier side Wimborne Town in the FA Cup on Sunday – and then missed the opportunity to progress in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy, losing to Brentford under-21s 2-1 in midweek.

Speaking with club media, Blackwell said: “We know where our future lies – and it isn’t in this under-21 cup or whatever it is.

“It’s Fleetwood [in League Two on November 21]. We’ve already got an eye on Fleetwood, and we’re going to work on that.”

Blackwell made ten changes from that defeat in the FA Cup, and the clash with Brentford gave him an opportunity to see some of the fringe players in action.

He said: “It was important that I get those minutes into the players I’m looking for.

“I’m not too downhearted. I’ve learned more about the players in a game and a competition.

“It gave some players there an opportunity to sort of stake a claim. Whether enough have done that, I’m not so sure.”

The Reds are without a game this weekend owing to international call-ups, but Blackwell admitted a free weekend was a blessing in disguise after two poor performance.

He said “I think what frustrated me at the weekend [at Wimborne] was that we’d gone in unbeaten, and we’d put in fairly solid performances.

“And in reflection on the FA Cup, they didn’t play as they could have done, and I wonder whether their attitude once we got on the pitch wasn’t right.

“When I say that, their expectation was that we won, that we were to win the game. And in the other games, we weren't expected to win the game. So, the pressure is off a little bit.

“I’ve said to them they’ve got to handle that pressure. When you’re down there, the games do become pressurised.

“It’ll be three weeks on Thursday that I’ve been here. I’ve learned a hell of a lot.

“But the key thing for me is the league, and my point was about getting close to those teams above us and we’re one win away from them. So that’s what I’m focused on now.

“It’s the league and always has been the league. So overall, I’m not downhearted at all. I’m clear in my mind where we are with the club, and clear in my mind with certain players.”