The talent is there, so what has gone wrong at Crawley Town? - A fan's opinion

A month ago Crawley Town were looking forward to a prestigious Fourth Round FA Cup game at AFC Bournemouth and the renewal of their challenge for a place in the League Two play offs. Now they are able to concentrate on the league a run of one point out of nine has knocked any optimism on the head.

True, the defeat at league leaders Cambridge United was no disgrace but the subsequent games have been little short of calamitous.

The goalless draw against Leyton Orient was apathetic and the 3-1 defeat by Harrogate Town revealed many shortcomings. Don’t ask John Yems what is going wrong as he can’t fathom it out.

SEE ALSO 'The first half performance was unacceptable' - Crawley Town defender disappointed by woeful performance - 'Nowhere near acceptable at the professional level' - Crawley Town head coach John Yems on 'farcical' defeat to Harrogate Town - Crawley Town 1, Harrogate Town 3 - player ratings: Dallison shines as substitute but others struggle in defeat

What I don’t understand is why the entire team chooses to have an off day rather than one or two individuals.

Let’s not take anything away from the visitors who harried the Reds from the kick off. We should have been able to combat that but lacked the leadership onfield to do so.

The absence of a general in the mould of Dannie Bulman was plain to see. Josh Wright has the pedigree to do that but his start with the club has been disappointing.

The departure of Max Watters might be touted as a reason but he thrived on good service. I have commented before about the lack of creativity in the middle of the park and on this occasion it led to Ashley Nadesan becoming almost invisible and Tom Nichols running around in ever decreasing circles. Jordan Maguire-Drew might fill the bill but it’s tough to ask a newcomer to be the saviour.

The manager made five substitutions with three changes being made at the interval. Things did improve for the Reds and so the Sulphurites simply shut up shop. Tom Dallison’s replacement in the starting line up by Mark Wright had dismayed many fans with their opinions being hardened when the substitute notched Crawley’s goal.

Tarryn Allarakhia returned from his recent obscurity and his pace and direction on the left flank offered renewed hope but he was switched inside when Tyler Frost also emerged from the shadows and the overall effectiveness was reduced. All of the substitutes improved matters but it was too late to make up for the rather indolent showing of the starting eleven.

The decline in performance levels is such that everyone feels they could pick a better line up. None of us could but we must hope that the managers can find the right permutations and provide the necessary incentive as we are all aware that the talent is there.