'We showed our quality' - Former West Ham and Luton midfielder believes the 'chemistry is building' at Crawley Town

The 25-year-old, who signed a new contract with the Reds this summer, featured against Eastleigh and Oxford United on Saturday and Tuesday respectively.

Reds had a lot of positives in both, including Watson’s performances and the former Luton Town and Derby County midfielder says the side is settling very quickly with the first competitive game just around the corner.

Against Oxford, who relegated from the Championship last season, Colin Kazim-Richards’ side more than held their own for over an hour before the Us eventually won 3-1.

Watson said: “I think for the first 60 minutes, it looked like a Championship game. I feel like we created some good chances, started a little bit slow. First 10 minutes they were on us, had a few set pieces. I think as soon as we got our foot on the ball, we showed our quality and then we gained that respect. And from there, I felt like it was very, very good for, let's say, 65 minutes.”

He added: “I think the performance all round, from back to front, was very, very good. I think we showed our quality in the final third. I think we defended the box very well and in the middle of the pitch, I feel like we combined very well.

“I feel like that chemistry is really building going into the season. We've only got, what is it, six days now to the first game. I feel like it gives us a lot of confidence playing against an opposition like this.”

And Watson believes players’ mentality is key going into the season. “It's a mentality thing. I know you were saying this pre-season, but right now, we don't want to be going in like we did last season and starting slow.

"I think it's important that we do get that winning mentality in now. And especially, I know it's a cup game [York on Monday] and people can look at it differently, but in my mind, I don't think there's any difference. You have to go in with that mentality of winning.

“And there's an incentive, playing Watford in the next round, so, we have to get that mentality in now.”

It’s been an other summer of change for Reds with 11 new signings but on the evidence on the two pre-season friendlies, the team is gelling quickly. Watson said: “I feel like we've recruited very well. We've got a lot of players in that have a lot of quality in the final third and defensively as well. I think even with the opportunities that they had today, I feel like we defended the box very well at times, especially for the first 65 minutes.

“I think we dropped off a little bit near the end, but it is pre-season. At the same time, we have to have that mentality of getting the points on the ball because when the season comes, there's no more playing games, you know what I mean? So, we have to get that mentality in now.”

Reds face Reading on Friday night at the Broadfield Stadium.