Drummy sees first game in charge as a great opportunity

New Crawley Town head coach Dermot Drummy has hailed picking his starting line-up his first game in charge as a '˜Selection of opportunities.'
Sky Bet League 2 side Crawley Town FC have appointed former Chelsea and Arsenal coach Dermot Drummy as their new manager on a two-year deal. Pic Steve Robards SR1612143 SUS-160429-134944001Sky Bet League 2 side Crawley Town FC have appointed former Chelsea and Arsenal coach Dermot Drummy as their new manager on a two-year deal. Pic Steve Robards SR1612143 SUS-160429-134944001
Sky Bet League 2 side Crawley Town FC have appointed former Chelsea and Arsenal coach Dermot Drummy as their new manager on a two-year deal. Pic Steve Robards SR1612143 SUS-160429-134944001

He will have the first chance to watch his players in action since taking over on Wednesday at Reds’ penultimate game of the season, away to Dagenham & Redbridge this afternoon.

With only three of his squad currently with contracts for next season, Drummy sees it as a chance for his players who are out of contract to present their case for remaining at the club.

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He said: “What I have said to the squad is I have time to look at them, it is what I have got and I will look at them. For instance, tomorrow when I select the team, it will be a team of opportunities.

“If we win tomorrow, it won’t necessarily be the same team next week. I feel I need to give them the opportunity to say, I have seen you. That’s the best I can do at the moment.”

Drummy denies there is nothing to play for the 18th-placed team whose six-game losing run led to the dismissal on Monday of previous manager Mark Yates.

The former Chelsea U21s coach identifies with the fans who are paying to watch.

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Drummy stressed: “There is a lot to play for. We are playing for Crawley Town, I don’t understand this ‘dead rubber game.’

“We are paid professionals to do a job, some of the games I have watched, normally in football you get complimentary tickets everywhere you go.

“I have been to Basingstoke, Weston-super-mare and paid to get in and Barnet and paid to get it, when you sit with fans that pay money, you realise it is something to play for.

“The fans affiliate with the town, they affiliate with the players, for me that is what I will be saying to our players.

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“These people are paying money to support you week-in, week-out. The very least you do is be professional.”

Drummy will be without the injured Gavin Tomlin (hamstring), Lanre Oyebanjo (thigh), Matt Harrold (knee) and Andy Bond (suspended).

However fit-again striker Liam McAlinden, who is on loan from Wolves, could make a return from injury after missing the last five games.

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