Crawley Town face Crewe Alexandra in the League Two play-off final at Wembley. This is the first time Crawley Town have been to Wembley. Here is Scott Lindsey's full press conference ahead of the game
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00:00 So Scott, historic and exciting week for Crawley Town Football Club. How's the preparation been?
00:04 Yeah, good.
00:06 Spirit's really good within the camp. We've
00:09 done some tactical stuff today.
00:12 The players have trained well, so yeah, up to now all good.
00:17 Yeah, and how important is it this week that you don't do anything different to what you've been doing all season?
00:22 Very important, you know, I think that that's key to how we work. I know there's a lot of
00:30 bells and whistles in the background and a lot going on with ticket sales and merchandise and a lot of
00:36 media behind it, obviously,
00:40 and rightly so.
00:42 But we've had to really focus on our job and
00:45 focus on the training ground and what needs to be done there in order for us to be ready
00:49 to play against a tough team in Crewe.
00:53 Yeah, talking about Crewe,
00:55 what kind of team are they? What are the dangers they present? Because they obviously beat you twice this year.
01:00 Well, yeah, that alone is a worry that they beat us twice, but
01:06 you know, I think the last game was in February,
01:10 so we've played a lot of football since then and I think we've evolved as well. I think we've evolved and become a better team.
01:16 But yeah, listen, they've got good players, they've got good attacking threats, they've got really good defenders.
01:24 They've changed shape quite a lot. So, you know,
01:28 they're capable of playing a three at the back, they're capable of playing a four at the back.
01:32 So, yeah, Lee's a really good manager. I think he's done really, really well this year.
01:37 And I really like him.
01:39 I've had some really good conversations with him after the games and we've always had a drink and been respectful with one another.
01:44 And I think he's done really well. I think he's had a good season. I think they've had a good season.
01:51 But we're really focused and we're really focusing on us more than them.
01:55 Yeah, well, we've talked a lot and you said it after the game on Saturday about you being the underdogs this year,
02:01 proving a lot of people wrong. After Saturday, it appears that everybody's sort of woken up to what Crawley Town have done this year now and how they're playing.
02:08 Does that change anything for you in the background?
02:12 Just with the expectation and is it right now that people are actually taking notice?
02:17 No, it doesn't change anything. I think we
02:22 just have to go to work.
02:23 Whilst it's an historic game for the football club, we're going to work.
02:29 I think it's fantastic that the fans have been given this day out.
02:33 I was really mindful of that. I wanted that for the fans because they've been brilliant to me and to the players.
02:41 And I wanted to reward the fans with a day out at Wembley.
02:45 I think it's a brilliant achievement.
02:49 I'm really proud that I'm the first manager to lead Crawley out at Wembley.
02:53 Really proud. But us as staff and as footballers, we're really concentrating on going to work that day.
03:01 It's not a day out for us. So we're really mindful of that.
03:05 Yeah, obviously, the club has sold in excess of 15,000 tickets.
03:08 Can you even begin to imagine what it's going to be like when you do lead Crawley out there and see all those fans?
03:13 No, not really.
03:15 No, I did a bit of a rallying cry yesterday on social media.
03:19 We want to try and get it over 20,000 if we can.
03:22 I think that'd be an unbelievable effort by the fans.
03:25 Even if it's not, even at what we are now, it's an unbelievable effort, let me tell you.
03:29 If we can get over 20, that'd be amazing if we could do that.
03:34 I think it's a great effort.
03:37 But the fans have been fantastic all season.
03:39 They've been brilliant away from home.
03:41 I'm really pleased that we're rewarding them with a great day out.
03:46 And let's hope we're all celebrating at the end of it.
03:49 Yeah, you've obviously already been to Wembley yourself and had success as assistant manager of Forest Green.
03:53 Have you been passing on any advice about what it's like to go to Wembley for a big occasion to your players this week?
04:00 No, not really, because I think each time it goes different.
04:04 What I have done is I've leaned on my experiences about the build up to what we did at Forest Green.
04:13 I thought we got our preparation pretty much spot on in that game, even though it was a few years back now.
04:20 So I've kind of fed off that a little bit about how I see the week, how I see travel arrangements,
04:28 how I see the night before looking and things like that.
04:33 So, yeah, I've fed off a lot of experience with that.
04:36 But, you know, the players are going to feel it for themselves.
04:40 They need to go out and experience that themselves, which they will do, obviously.
04:43 Yeah. And talking about the players, we saw Will and Harry come off on Saturday.
04:48 Is there any updates on them?
04:50 Yeah, still being assessed as we go.
04:52 Neither of them up to now have joined in training,
04:57 but we're hopeful that they will be included in training on Friday.
05:03 So, yeah, they've been off feet up to now just to give them that extra little bit of recovery.
05:08 So we're hopeful that they'll be included in the next training session.
05:12 Thanks, Scott. Thank you.
05:13 Hi, Scott. Great to see you again.
05:16 I wonder if I could just take you back a little further, just general Wembley memories for you.
05:20 What the place means to you as a stadium, as a national stadium, as perhaps somewhere you went as a kid, whatever really.
05:26 Yeah, obviously growing up, you know, the FA Cup finals,
05:30 I remember some unbelievable finals at the old stadium, obviously, you know.
05:36 So, yeah, it's an historic place that every footballer, every manager,
05:41 every coach wants to go and do their working, you know, at some point.
05:48 I've been lucky enough to go there twice actually as a coach.
05:51 Once with Swindon Town, I was part of the coaching staff that
05:56 was in the League One Playoff final, got beat by Preston.
06:01 I was on the bench as part of the coaching staff then.
06:05 And then, of course, with the Forest Green promotion from the National League to the Football League in 2017,
06:11 I was the assistant manager then.
06:12 So I've been there and lost and been there and won.
06:15 So I know what it can be like in both camps in terms of that.
06:20 You know, I know it can be an amazing place when you win.
06:23 And I also know it can be not a great place when you lose.
06:26 But, yeah, it's a fantastic stadium, obviously the new one as it is now.
06:31 It's an amazing stadium.
06:34 My experiences of it have been, certainly the last one was a real good memory.
06:40 I remember when we won.
06:44 I remember my wife who passed away.
06:46 She was in the crowd.
06:47 So I'll probably be looking around at that seat as memory for me on Sunday.
06:54 So, yeah, some good memories.
06:56 You touched on some very touching stuff there.
06:59 It's an amazing place, but it can be daunting.
07:02 It can be, it's huge.
07:05 It can be a little intimidating.
07:07 How much have you passed that on to the players?
07:09 Or are you going to let them find out for themselves?
07:11 How do you handle that?
07:12 I think the importance for me is that we want to try and play the game as a normal game of football.
07:17 So I don't want to overspill about what the place is and what it's going to be like.
07:25 I want them just to not worry so much about the fact that it's a big stadium and a big crowd.
07:31 I want them to go out and do their job and do it really well.
07:36 And I think when we start talking about this, that and the other and the build-up and making it different,
07:42 making it bigger than what it needs to be, I think that's when players probably get nerves.
07:46 So I'm trying to downplay stuff more.
07:48 I haven't really spoke about Wembley to the players, if I'm honest with you.
07:51 I've just gone out there on the training ground and coached the team like I normally do,
07:56 and as if it's a normal game, which it is in my opinion.
07:58 Like I said to you before, it's a day out for the supporters, but it's a day at work for us.
08:03 Tell us about that day out for the supporters, because I know you're very proud that you've given them that.
08:07 People coming from all around the world, all sorts of stories, people changing plans and everything.
08:12 You and the lads, you've set this up for them, you've given them this day out.
08:16 Yes, it means everything to me.
08:17 Honestly, the relationship that I've built with the fans here has been fantastic.
08:23 I'm so proud to be the man that leads the team out, but I'm also really pleased that these supporters,
08:30 who've been brilliant with me certainly, and the team, to give them that day out is absolutely superb.
08:37 We've broke so many records this year, and again, this is another record where it'll be the biggest crowd
08:42 that's ever watched Crawley Town play, ever.
08:45 That's just an amazing record.
08:50 Like I say, let's call for more fans to go and buy as many tickets as they can and get as many there as they can.
08:57 Be part of that record-breaking event, in effect.
09:02 It's a fantastic stadium, fantastic. It'll be a fantastic day out.
09:05 Hopefully, the weather will be good, and hopefully, you'll see Crawley win.
09:11 You're playing for a crew who aren't a huge club.
09:14 Lots of history, but aren't necessarily a huge club either, do you?
09:17 Are you still little old Crawley, still underdogs, do you think?
09:19 You played so well in that semi-final, both games, you put yourself on the world stage now.
09:24 Yeah, but I think we played like that most season.
09:30 The reason why we're probably not underdogs is because of them two games against MK Dons, right?
09:34 But we played like that all season.
09:37 It just so happens that it was live on Sky and somebody saw us, because that's the truth.
09:41 We've played mostly like that all season.
09:44 We haven't probably dispatched teams as well as maybe we should have done in performances like that.
09:51 But we have pretty much played at that level most of the season.
09:55 There's been times when we've had dips.
09:57 There's been times when we've played like that and lost.
09:59 But we have, in general, played like that.
10:03 But no, I still think, listen, I think Crewe's a bigger club than you give it credit for.
10:08 I don't think it's actually a small club at all.
10:10 When you go there, they've got a massive main stand. It's a really well-run club.
10:15 They've always had players coming through the academy there.
10:19 They've always had a way of playing.
10:21 They've had good managers, historically.
10:23 I think they're a big club.
10:24 I don't look at them as a small club at all.
10:26 I think they're a decent-sized club.
10:30 Yeah, and listen, it's a big challenge for us.
10:33 A big, big challenge.
10:34 Like I say, we haven't beaten them this season.
10:36 They've beaten us twice.
10:39 It's going to be a tough game.
10:42 Finally for me, the players have delivered for you all season.
10:46 You're asking them to go once more, aren't you?
10:47 One more game.
10:48 That's a lot to ask.
10:50 I'm sure they're delighted to give it a go.
10:52 You can't predict what will happen, but are you ready and are they ready?
10:55 Oh yeah, we're really focused.
10:57 Like, really focused.
10:59 You know, training's been really good.
11:00 You can see that they can't wait to get out there and play.
11:04 You know, you can feel it.
11:07 They seem to be getting in earlier, the players.
11:10 It's almost like they want to get their work done
11:13 and really enjoy their work.
11:15 And I think they're all really focused on the game.
11:17 So yeah, we're really ready and we will come kick-off for sure.
11:22 Enjoy it.
11:22 Thank you.
11:24 What's the practicalities of the weekend?
11:26 You train down here, what, Saturday morning and go up in the afternoon?
11:29 Yeah, so we're going to train down here Friday morning
11:33 and then we're travelling Friday night,
11:35 or Friday afternoon, should I say.
11:37 We're going to go to Wembley Friday afternoon
11:41 to do what they call a familiarisation tour.
11:45 So it'll give the chance for the players to
11:49 have a look at the pitch, the surroundings, the dressing rooms,
11:52 that sort of thing, take some pictures.
11:54 Because we wanted game day to be game day and not a day out.
11:59 So it's important that we got that out of the way on the Friday.
12:02 We go to a hotel in Kensington.
12:05 We plot up there, we go out for food that evening.
12:09 And then Saturday morning we're training at Bisham Abbey.
12:13 We'll train at Bisham Abbey Saturday
12:16 and then back to the hotel for our normal kind of meetings and food
12:21 and goodnight to all the lads and see you in the morning sort of thing.
12:26 And then obviously up quite early because it's an earlier kick-off.
12:29 So our preparation for the game day is slightly different to what it normally is.
12:33 So things like pre-matches being obviously moved.
12:37 So pre-match will be quite early.
12:38 Meetings will be quite early and then on our way to Wembley.
12:41 Yeah.
12:42 Can I ask about recruitment?
12:43 It's obviously key to any football team.
12:45 You spoke ahead of the semi-finals about your players,
12:47 but nobody is, and I know there may be any dirty comments.
12:50 But how pleasing with the recruitment you've done and how does it actually work?
12:55 Is it you and a small, trusted team?
12:58 Or have you got a big network?
13:00 Recruitment has been outstanding here,
13:02 which is the reason why we're at Wembley on Sunday,
13:05 because we've got some really good players.
13:09 They were players that were, how can I put it, potentials.
13:14 They were potentials.
13:15 There wasn't the finished article.
13:18 What we've got here is an ownership group that are very big on data
13:22 and they have a certain way of finding data on players from lower leagues
13:28 that they feel can fit into the system of how I want my team to play.
13:33 I then look at them players in real detail and say 'yay' or 'nay' basically.
13:39 And, you know, the system's worked.
13:43 The system's really worked and the players that we've signed have fitted in perfectly.
13:49 And we've got some outstanding players here who, you know,
13:54 had it not have been for the data, we might have missed.
13:58 So I'm grateful for the owners to have that way of working.
14:03 And I'm grateful of the players that they put in front of me.
14:06 And then it was down to me to make sure that I was happy with how that worked.
14:10 And it's worked perfectly.
14:11 Is that system that you've made maybe different players than you've come across before?
14:15 Yeah, slightly. Slightly different.
14:18 You know, we'll look at certain key markers for players.
14:23 For argument's sake, Dan Orsey is a good example of this.
14:26 Dan Orsey scored five goals, I think it was, in two seasons.
14:30 Not many managers would have touched him.
14:31 No disrespect, but they just wouldn't because all managers want to see their centre-forwards put the ball in the net.
14:38 We looked at different markers.
14:39 We looked at XG.
14:40 We looked at ball touches in the box, kind of heat map of where he did his work.
14:45 And we felt that he can be coached to put the ball in the net.
14:49 He's doing everything right apart from that.
14:52 He was arriving in the right places.
14:54 He was getting into the areas where he could hurt the opposition, but without hurting the opposition.
15:04 So we polished it with a lot of work on the training ground and made sure he had that last final bit of putting the ball in the net.
15:10 And he's done an outstanding thing.
15:12 24, 25 goals.
15:13 I'm not sure of the number, but in all competitions, it's something like that.
15:16 And, you know, brilliant.
15:18 A great kid as well.
15:19 Like, really pleased for him.
15:20 Just finally, you've got numbers, but how quickly do you evaluate the actual person that they're going to be able to take this opportunity?
15:27 Usually, the minute I meet them, I can tell.
15:31 And not only that, we do a lot of due diligence on the person themselves and make sure that we're getting good people in here.
15:36 That's important to me.
15:37 You know, we don't just want to sign footballers.
15:40 We want to sign good people.
15:41 And I think that's what we've done here.
15:42 I've said it in past interviews where when I first come in, we had a lot of loose professionals, you know, players willing to pick their money up,
15:50 but not willing to do a lot of work for it.
15:52 And I clocked that quite early and realised that the culture needed to change here.
15:58 So I did that.
15:59 And the people that I brought in now are proper, proper people who are willing to run and run hard.
16:04 And I'm willing to run hard for them as well.
16:05 I'd run for a brick wall for them, let alone the other way around.
16:07 They're great lads.
16:09 Thank you.
16:11 Just one for me.
16:13 There's a sense that this is a bit bigger than Crawley Town FC, and it's a bit more about Crawley Town.
16:19 So what would you say to people who have seen that football on the roundabout and never seen this place?
16:25 You mentioned you're rallying cry to Crawley.
16:29 Let's hear it.
16:30 Yeah, no, listen, I don't know what there is.
16:32 Something like 150 chimney pots in Crawley maybe.
16:35 I don't know.
16:36 But let's get more people down here watching, you know, because it's good football.
16:39 You know, you could clearly see that on the telly the other night.
16:42 We play proper football.
16:43 You know, we don't always get it right.
16:45 You know, we don't always get it right.
16:46 We will play like that and lose.
16:47 And sometimes we don't play like that and win, you know.
16:50 But we have a go.
16:51 It's a good atmosphere here.
16:54 And you'll see, you'll always see 11 young men running hard for the cause, running hard for the badge.
17:01 And it's a pleasure to come down and see that, I think.
17:05 But yeah, you know, like I say, I don't know how many chimney pots are in Crawley, but probably 150,000.
17:10 I don't know the exact number, but, you know, let's get more.
17:14 Let's get more on board because it's a special place.
17:17 You know, it really is a special place.
17:19 We've got some great lads here and the fans are unbelievable.
17:22 Just be part of that.
17:23 It's like a cult, isn't it?
17:24 You know, they're brilliant.
17:24 The fans are unreal.
17:26 Be part of that.
17:27 And I think that we can really create that, certainly at Wembley.
17:29 Hiya, Scott.
17:33 You've touched upon this already, but, you know, you looked down at that badge on your chest there and it says 1896.
17:39 128 years this club has been going.
17:42 You're the first manager to take them to Wembley.
17:44 Your players are the first players to represent the club at Wembley.
17:47 Are you aware of the magnitude of that?
17:50 Probably not, actually.
17:53 You know, when you put it like that, I probably need to sit on my deck chair in the summer and reflect on it.
18:00 I think when you're in it, you're in it.
18:03 You know what I mean by that?
18:04 I'm so kind of focused on the job and focused on the work.
18:08 I think it probably will take me a bit of time to actually sit down and reflect and think, wow, that's unbelievable.
18:14 And I do feel that it's unbelievable now, but I suppose because I'm so focused on coaching the team and making sure that everybody's OK,
18:23 making sure that we go to Wembley really prepared and ready to play against a good side, I'm probably not thinking too much about it.
18:30 You know what I mean by that?
18:31 And I think it will probably take me a bit of time to actually reflect.
18:35 And when I do, I'm sure that I'll be really proud.
18:38 Well, I am proud.
18:38 I'm a very proud man to be doing that and to be leading this brilliant football club at Wembley for the first time.
18:45 Football fans love little quirky bits of trivia, and one of them was that the only two clubs that have never been to Wembley were Crawley Tyne and Accrington Stanley.
18:54 No, it's just Accrington Stanley.
18:55 Was that a stat that you were aware of?
18:57 I was, actually, yeah.
18:58 Funny enough, but not straight away.
19:01 I think it was mentioned to me maybe a couple of months ago.
19:04 I thought, "That's interesting, that."
19:08 Not that it drove me on, because it didn't.
19:10 I think you're driven anyway.
19:12 But yeah, I didn't know that until a couple of months ago.
19:14 But yeah, interesting.
19:16 So let's hope we see Accrington there one day.
19:19 And again, you touched on this a little bit earlier as well, but the last time you were at Wembley, Hayley was there too.
19:25 How emotional are you expecting Sunday to be?
19:28 And if this doesn't sound too corny, are you sort of expecting her to be there with you on Sunday?
19:34 I don't think it'll be emotional, because I'll be so focused on the game.
19:38 Maybe after the game, there might be some emotions with myself, maybe.
19:44 I'm not an emotional person, really.
19:47 I struggle with that.
19:50 But yeah, I'll probably look around that area where I know she was sitting in that last time, you know.
19:58 And yeah, I'm just so focused on the game.
20:02 But I'm sure there'll be some emotions at the end of it when it's all finished and done, no matter what the result is.
20:07 I'm sure there'll be something there, you know.
20:09 Yeah, 3pm on Sunday, that's when the emotions might come out.
20:12 That's right, yeah. Exactly, yeah.
20:13 Fantastic. Best of luck.
20:14 Thank you.
20:15 Bye.
20:16 All good?
20:19 Yeah, thanks.
20:20 Thanks, guys.