Akin Odimayo wants Crawley Town to ‘leave an imprint’ on League Two this season by improving on their turbulent campaign last year.

The Reds currently sit 17th in League Two with four points from as many games, with a trip to Accrington Stanley next up on Saturday (September 5).

Head coach Colin Kazim-Richards steered the side to a 22nd-placed finish and survival by a single point last season – a scenario most Crawley fans will be hoping not to experience again anytime soon.

And Odimayo, who signed an 18-month contract in January 2026, was asked what his and the squad’s ambitions are for the season ahead of this weekend’s encounter.

Akin Odimayo of Crawley Town in action during the Sky Bet League Two 2026/27 match between Northampton Town and Crawley Town at Sixfields on September 01, 2026 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

placeholder image — Akin Odimayo of Crawley Town in action during the Sky Bet League Two 2026/27 match between Northampton Town and Crawley Town at Sixfields on September 01, 2026 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

He said: “I'll start with the team. We want to bounce back from last season, leave an imprint on this league this season. I feel like that's something that collectively we know and, whatever that looks like, we're going to push for that for sure.

“[And] Personally, just the same as every season, just try and play as good as I can for the team and try to gain as many points ready.”

The defender has filled in at right-back for the suspended Kellan Gordon in the last three games – a role he ‘didn’t expect at the start of the season’.

Odimayo said: “Throughout my career, I've always played everywhere around the back, to be fair. It's just remembering old tricks and rewiring your brain again to play in a different position.”

Despite only being at the club for eight months, the 26-year-old has seen sweeping personnel changes – be it on and off the pitch.

And while Odimayo believes the new additions have ‘integrated really well’, he acknowledged that the season has only just begun and there’s a long way to go yet.

He said: “It's exciting. Every year of my career, it's always a new batch of players. Obviously, it's learning what they can do, learning what they learn about you, and just working together so we can work together as a team as best as possible.”

Saturday’s opponents Accrington Stanley are winless from their opening four games, while the Reds travel to the Wham Stadium with a win and a draw from their only two away games so far.