Crawley Town face Reading in League One on Saturday. Here Rob Elliot looks ahead to the trip and addresses substitutions, set pieces and suspensions.
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00:00Ready Matt? Rob, thank you for joining us. Trip to Reading awaits. What's the thoughts heading into that one?
00:06No, it's good. It's good to have a week's training with the lads and obviously decompress from last week.
00:11We're looking forward to the game. It's a brilliant challenge. It's going to be one of the games you look forward to
00:18because going and stepping into League One after last year, playing the likes of your Reddams, etc.
00:23It's a great opportunity for us to go and impress and obviously carry on the work from Saturday,
00:27which I thought up until the sending off and even after, to be honest, we were really good.
00:32I think we've just got to take heart in the fact that the way we started the game was excellent,
00:39the way we controlled the game. Obviously, there's things we need to improve on,
00:42but that's going to be the case no matter what team you are, what position you're in.
00:46So, looking forward to the game, really looking forward to seeing the lads, seeing the reaction and go from there.
00:51Yes, we had the midweek period off, which must have been nice for yourself. How did you find that?
00:56Yes, it was nice, obviously, coming in, having the free games and not really being able to get into some work with the players
01:02and get to know them. Obviously, for myself and the staff, we're looking at things we can improve on,
01:07things we can get better at because, like I said to the players, it's always the backstops with myself first and foremost
01:12and we always try and be open and honest with them about things we did well, things we got wrong.
01:16We just want to help the players as best we can and give them the best opportunity to perform on the pitch.
01:22But no, it's been a good week. We've got loads of detail in.
01:25Obviously, we've been able to give a couple of players rest in terms of not having too many game-offs,
01:30not having an extra game in the week. So, hopefully, the squad can be as fresh as possible ready for Saturday.
01:35Yes, what do you think we can make of Reading? Obviously, one of the ones that's a big club, isn't it?
01:40They've been a big club for a long time, so that's obviously going to bring its own challenges.
01:43What have you made of them this week while watching them?
01:45We've been really impressed with them, honestly. They play good football, similar to ourselves.
01:48They like to play out from the back. They like to have control of the ball.
01:52They've got some really good key players, good attacking threats in wide areas and through the middle.
01:56So, we're going to have to be defensively spot on.
01:59But on the flip side, we'll pay Reading the respect which they definitely deserve because they're a very good team.
02:05We also want to concentrate on us and developing us as a team and developing our style of play
02:10and ultimately keeping on the momentum that we've seen in the last couple of games in terms of affecting the goal and scoring goals.
02:16It's been brilliant to see us scoring goals and creating opportunities and that's what I want to see.
02:20I want to see the players backing themselves, whether we're at Reading away, Bolton away, all the big clubs,
02:24but whether we're at home especially, I want to see us on the front foot trying to score.
02:27And then obviously just tidying up on all the little things we need to tidy up on.
02:31Obviously, going up to this level, teams are a bit more ruthless and the attacking players are better, etc. as you'd expect.
02:38But we're learning every week. We're getting better and working our shape and hopefully it's a game we can look forward to.
02:45We can give a good account of ourselves.
02:47You've touched on it slightly already, but how's the squad come through the first few games?
02:51We were obviously forced into a couple of changes on Saturday, weren't we?
02:54In terms of full fitness and availability, how are we looking?
02:57Yes, we're doing okay. A few lads had knocks on Saturday, so obviously we had to bring a few off.
03:01Roshi Das, Harry Forster as well, because he's obviously on his way back in.
03:06So it's probably disrupted things a little bit.
03:09But they seem to be doing okay. We're just having to monitor them and see what they'll be like for Saturday.
03:14Obviously, we haven't got Flinty or Jay because of suspension.
03:16So, yes, we'll probably leave it up to the last minute to see minutes, because obviously with the three games next week as well,
03:21you've got to put everything into perspective as you do. It comes thick and fast.
03:25But, no, in terms of that, the squad's getting fuller.
03:29Obviously, Benjamin's come back and he's able to train with us, which is good.
03:32He obviously got back from an interesting trip away, but he got in training today, which is good.
03:37Obviously, we need to build him up because he hasn't played since the summer.
03:39But, no, it's good. It's good to have additions.
03:41And then it's good for us to be able to get the group together and working for a week and preparation for what is going to be another tough week.
03:50Rob, with Jay and Josh suspended, obviously that gives someone else a chance to impress.
03:57Have you decided who's it or is that still going to be Friday? Do you pick your team?
04:00Yes, always Friday, because obviously lads need the week to impress in training.
04:04I think it's always fair players get the opportunity to press and make their claim.
04:08And also, what I want to get is a squad mentality that no matter who's picked,
04:12no matter what game or what team, that everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.
04:16And we're working hard on that in training so that sometimes players play in different positions.
04:19That happens because of injuries, because of suspensions or whatever it may be.
04:23So, yes, no, we'll obviously have to adapt without Flinty and Jay, who've been terrific for us.
04:28But it will hopefully show the depth of the squad.
04:30And it's a good challenge for whoever does get the nod to step up and put a performance in.
04:35You mentioned Benjamin there. The fans haven't seen him yet.
04:38Will he be included in the squad or is it a bit too early yet?
04:41It's a bit too early to tell. We speak with Rick, who's fantastic here.
04:45He's the head of our performance.
04:46Obviously, there's a lot to monitor and make sure because of the football
04:50and obviously the unique circumstances he's had the last couple of weeks or so.
04:53But no, he trained today, which is good. Get to see him on the grass.
04:56Obviously, you're not a Nigerian international without having talent and ability.
05:01But we need to make sure we do the right thing by Benjamin.
05:03He's had a testing week or so and also he's had an indifferent few weeks
05:07in terms of since he's come in with the testings and getting it across the line.
05:10So, yeah, we want to make sure we do the right thing by him.
05:13And when he goes in, he's ready and we're not going to put him at any risk.
05:18But he seems like a really good professional.
05:20He's a good athlete and he's shown, like I said before, if you're playing for Nigeria,
05:25then like we've seen from the games and we've watched him, he's got ability
05:28and hopefully he'll be able to help us.
05:29We'll just make sure we get it right when we do include him.
05:31Yeah, and you mentioned Reading, one of the bigger clubs in League One,
05:34a nice big stadium. Does that add extra motivation to the players?
05:37Do you think playing in front of that crowd will give them a bit extra?
05:40I hope so, yeah, because I think the players have worked hard
05:42and they deserve to go and play at places like that.
05:44We love playing at home and obviously, I think on Saturday, the atmosphere is fantastic.
05:48Obviously, we're on top and we have a different environment at home games
05:54because the way we play on the front foot, attacking the goals all the time
05:59and then away from home, it's against bigger clubs.
06:02I hope the players just embrace it and enjoy it
06:04and go and show what's been such a successful period for the club
06:07and go and do the club proud by implementing everything we want
06:10in terms of dominating the ball, being aggressive, trying to win the ball back
06:14and backing ourselves in every area.
06:15And I think that's what, for me, that's what I want to see.
06:18And I hope the fans do too.
06:19They want to see the team go to places like Reading or wherever it may be
06:22and go and show what this club's all about.
06:24Yeah, and you mentioned after the game on Saturday about set pieces.
06:27There's obviously some weaknesses there and that.
06:30Have you been working extra hard on those this week?
06:32Yeah, no, look, it's one of the ones on reflection.
06:34It's frustrating when you can see, you go down to ten men
06:37and we can see you've set pieces and obviously you've put it your way.
06:40But it's something we need to improve on.
06:42There's loads of things we need to improve on collectively.
06:45Like I always said, starting from myself, I'm not going to shy away from that.
06:50I need to make sure that we set the team up in the best way, set pieces,
06:53whatever the structure may be, both for and against.
06:55You want to score more goals, you want to keep them out at both ends.
06:57But yeah, it's something that obviously stepping up the level as well,
07:00the quality of delivery and the players inside the box is something we need to adapt to.
07:04And again, it's another challenge.
07:05I think we have to look at these as challenges where we can get better.
07:07And I think the thing that I've seen since I've been in is that players have got better each time
07:10and they're taking on the challenges.
07:12And I feel that we're in a good place and we just need to keep the momentum
07:15and keep the positive mentality in terms of attacking the league.
07:18There's still 35 games left, a lot of points, over 100 points to play for.
07:22So we need to keep that consistency and calmness, not get too high, not get too low
07:26and keep building every week.
07:28Yeah. And unfortunately, I have to look on social media every week,
07:31just seeing reactions and that from fans.
07:33A big talking point was the substitutions on Saturday, the timings of them, etc.
07:37Is that something you look back on, reflect on and think,
07:40oh, maybe I couldn't have done that?
07:42Yeah, definitely. You have to look at everything.
07:43You can't just say at the time, obviously, we knew Junior was tiring.
07:47Darce and Rushy had injuries.
07:50And then also we knew being down to 10 men that they were going to put the ball in the box
07:53and it was going to be a lot more direct.
07:54And we decided to put a bit more physicality on.
07:56Obviously, the timing of Junior scoring,
07:58we could have probably, in hindsight, kept Junior on longer
08:00with that little bit of rush for an extra five minutes.
08:02But we also want to protect the players.
08:03And speaking to the staff, Junior is at a level where we played a lot of games in the week
08:08and we needed to make sure we protected him as well
08:10because he's such an important player for us.
08:12So maybe, yeah, in hindsight,
08:13maybe we should have given him a couple of extra minutes or time to get through.
08:16But again, you know, I'm not going to stand here and say that I've got all the answers
08:19or I won't get it wrong.
08:20All I'll try and do is be honest, hold my hands up,
08:22look at where we can improve and go again.
08:24And sort of stay away from social media.
08:26So, yeah, I think that's a sensible thing to do.
08:29But no, but also after the game,
08:31because I think probably the frustration for everyone,
08:34especially the players and the fans, is that, you know,
08:36I felt that we were so close, so in control
08:38and it felt like we turned a corner and then the sending off changes the game
08:41and substitutions, all the things that add up.
08:44So what we've got to do is stay consistent.
08:46What we did up until that moment was fantastic.
08:48And even after, you know, the way the players fought
08:51and the energy they put in, being down to 10 men,
08:54for me, only gives me confidence that we're going to be absolutely fine.
08:57Yeah, excellent.
08:58And on a completely different note, as a young England manager,
09:01England coach, sorry, English coach,
09:03what do you think of Thomas Tuchel as appointed as England manager?
09:06I'm probably in the Irish camp there.
09:08But yeah, no, that's fine.
09:11Don't worry. It's fine.
09:12Obviously, half of my family are English, half are Irish.
09:15No, it's an interesting one.
09:17I don't really have too much opinion on it, to be honest with you.
09:20I think, I mean, the calibre of coach he is,
09:24and obviously a friend of mine, Anthony Barry, who I played with at Aquington,
09:26has gone in as assistant, so I know what he'll bring
09:28and how much it will mean to him.
09:29So I'm really pleased in that sense that Anthony Barry's getting a chance.
09:32He's one of the best young coaches around.
09:33So I'm really hoping that for him, and obviously, I suppose,
09:36for England's sake, that things go well.
09:39Yeah.
09:42Yeah, it'll be interesting to see.
09:43It's football, I suppose.
09:44It comes down to opinions, really,
09:48and mine is that I've not really got one on it,
09:50in the nicest possible sense.
09:52Fair enough. I will edit this out.
09:53No, you're fine.
09:54Brilliant. Thanks, Rob.
09:55Not a question I was expecting, to be honest.
09:56Yeah, no.