Crawley Town finished a disappointing nineteenth last season, and manager Gabriele Cioffi will be looking for an improvement in 2019/20.
The Red Devils suffered from chronic inconsistency last time out. On their day they were a match for anyone, as good results against eventually promoted Bury and Tranmere proved. However, they could also be dreadful with the 6-1 defeat to Crewe in March the heaviest reverse their supporters have endured since they gained EFL status in 2011.
Cioffi will be under the microscope this season to improve their showing, but he’s been forced to put a lot of faith in last years under-performing squad, with many of the players brought in by his predecessor Harry Kewell still under contract. Only defender Bondz N’Gala and goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin have left the People’s Pension Stadium after veteran midfielder Dannie Bulman, forward Panutche Camara and young midfielder Reece Grego-Cox agreed on new deals.
Cioffi’s made some useful additions with his best signing undoubtedly the capture of Fleetwood Town’s hard running and pacey forward Ashley Nadesan, who was extremely impressive in the first half of 2018/19 during a successful loan spell with League Two rivals Carlisle United. He’s also brought in another hard worker in the final third with the capture of raw talent in the shape of Beryly Lubala from Birmingham. Mason Bloomfield will also be pushing for a first-team start during his season-long loan from Norwich meaning the pressure is on existing strikers Ollie Palmer and Dominic Poleon to perform every week.
Palmer is perhaps the best example of Cioffi’s problem. He was the club’s leading scorer last season with sixteen goals, and at times he can terrorise defences. He is a real handful with his strong running and physical presence, but unfortunately, he often goes missing when the going gets tough, and at times he can look a forlorn and disinterested figure. Supporters also severely criticised the application of Poleon following his arrival from Bradford last summer, and Cioffi will be hoping the new additions give the Red Devils a more consistent threat going forward.
The former Fylde defender Jordan Tunnicliffe looks a decent addition having impressed in pre-season. Midfielder Jack Powell from Maidstone is another young, hungry player who will hopefully add more fight and competition for places in the Red Devils engine room, where the remarkable Dannie Bulman will once again be orchestrating proceedings. The forty-year-old does need younger legs around him and to this end, Cioffi’s also brought in Nathan Ferguson from Dulwich Hamlet, and it would appear quality players such as Filipe Morais may have to work harder to keep their place next season.
There is no doubt Crawley have a decent squad, but the feeling persists that an attitude problem lingers in the dressing room. Palmer and Poleon both ended up in hot water with the club in February after an Instagram post which criticised elements of the club and some of their teammates, while rumours have recently emerged in the local press that Poleon has gone AWOL on the eve of the season.
Such rumours only add to the sense that Cioffi’s future hinges on his ability to galvanise and unite the dressing room, if he can do this, then a top-half finish is possible, if he cannot, another season of stagnation awaits.
