'We're not complacent. Never have been. Never will be' - Crawley Town boss John Yems ahead of Grimsby Town trip

John Yems praised the fight of his players ahead of the Reds' trip to bottom-placed Grimsby Town on Tuesday night.
Crawley Town players celebrate James Tilley's winner against Colchester United. Picture by UK Sports Images Ltd/Jamie EvansCrawley Town players celebrate James Tilley's winner against Colchester United. Picture by UK Sports Images Ltd/Jamie Evans
Crawley Town players celebrate James Tilley's winner against Colchester United. Picture by UK Sports Images Ltd/Jamie Evans

Crawley's opponents have one point from their last five matches and haven’t won since a victory over Scunthorpe United back in mid-December.

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However, Yems admits that league position means little and still expects a tough game against a side who beat Crawley 2-1 in the reverse fixture at the People's Pension Stadium.

"I don't look at tables", Yems stated. "All I know is we worry about the next game [as] there's no easy games in football. We go there. We prepare right and do what we can do.

"We're not complacent. Never have been. Never will be."

Sure enough, it had been a difficult couple of weeks for the Reds. One point from three home matches, including consecutive home defeats, culminated into a winless run stretching back to the empathic FA Cup Third Round win over Leeds United.

Thankfully, Crawley managed to end the run - after a much-improved performance against Colchester United last Saturday. An injury-time winner from supersub James Tilley gave the Reds a much needed three points and, importantly, ensured that Yems’ side kept in touching distance of the play-off places.

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"It's nice to get a different feeling in the place. You don't take your wins for granted", the Crawley manager explained. "At the end of the season, you are where you deserve to be. We just want to be as high as we can and we will work as hard as we can".

"This is sort of time where we need everyone to keep getting behind us. Up to now there's been quite a bit to cheer about - so, let's hope we continue doing that.

"It's nice to get the result [but] we carry on doing what we've been doing. We've got the same set of players. They're a good honest bunch.

"But, what we won't do is turn it in. It doesn't matter what side we put out, who plays for Crawley, you guaranteed that they're giving 100%."

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On Tuesday night, Yems will return to the dugout after completing a two-match touchline ban from attempting to enter the match officials’ changing room after the Reds’ goalless draw against 10-man Leyton Orient.

The Reds face 24th placed Grimsby Town, and depending on results, could move to within three points of the play-off places with a win on Tuesday night.

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