'We've only got one goal' - Crawley Town midfielder reveals target for the season
Louie Watson says there is only one goal everyone at Crawley Town has for this season – and added it’s time for him to make a name for himself.
Reds avoided relegation by just one point last season after a goalless draw with Salford City on the final day.
But Watson, who signed a new contract with the club at the start of the summer, believes they can do much better this campaign following the appointment of Colin Kazim-Richards as permanent head coach and the recruitment which has seen 11 new players come through the door.
“We've only got one goal in mind and that's promotion,” said the 25-yard-old former Luton Town midfielder.
“I know obviously what happened last year, but I've seen teams for many, many years now where you're in relegation, let's just say MK last year, they had a similar situation and then they get promoted. So let's just not think about last year. It's a brand new year.
“And I mean with the performance today [Oxford United pre-season friendly], especially for large parts of it, it shows how good we can be and it's just about getting that for a full 90 minutes and when the game's gone, we'll be ready.”
The appointment of Kazim-Richards shortly after the season ended was a big boost for Reds and meant the former Brighton striker had a full summer to get his squad right.
And Watson, who played with Kazim-Richards at Derby County, says he is the right man to lead them to success this year.
"He brings so much experience,” he said. “Anyone that's playing the game, would love to have that CV, so to learn from someone like that, especially at the level we're at, is far and few between.
“So we have to use that, we have to soak it up and we have to use it to our advantage really going into the games because there's not a lot of teams that are going to have a manager with his experience. So it's important to take on board what he says and use it to our advantage.”
Watson, who was sidelined by former manager Scott Lindsey in January, also outlined his personal ambitions for the season. He said: “I have my goals that I keep to myself, but this is a season now for me to really kick on. I think I need to show the real Louie Watson.
“I've had enough experience now in all the leagues in the EFL, to be honest with you, but now it's time to really make a name for myself and really kick on this year.”