Match Preview | Wanderers v Crawley Town

Match Preview Crawley

Wanderers return to the Toughsheet Community Stadium ahead of Steven Schumacher's first home game in charge.

The Whites face off against Crawley Town in Sky Bet League One, a side they last played back in September when Wanderers took the points home thanks to goals from Kyle Dempsey and John McAtee.

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John Mcatee full-time Crawley

Crawley Town are looking to bounce back from a late defeat to Wrexham last time out. The Red Devils thought they had salvaged a point with a 90th minute equaliser but Wrexham's Elliot Lee grabbed a 95th minute winner to take all three points back to North Wales.

Press Conference

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Steven Schumacher Pre Reading

Wanderers' boss Steven Schumacher: “It's been great, I've really enjoyed it.

“The lads have been brilliant to work with and all of the staff, who we are getting to know and build relationships with, have been excellent.

“It been really positive. The only negative of the week is that we didn't get any points away at Reading, but apart from that it's been good. Having a clear week to work with the players on the training pitch has been a massive help and hopefully we'll be prepared to go at the weekend.

“I can't wait. I'm really excited for it. It's going to be a good occasion, first of all to walk out in this brilliant stadium as the head coach. I'm excited for that and then the game is probably going to be an exciting game as well.

“Crawley Town are a team which is really good in possession when they have the ball. Throughout the league I think they are second overall in ball possession so it shows they're capable of hurting you if you don't get your out-of-position information correct.

“We have to make sure we’re aware of that and then try and impose ourselves on the game when we can. We want the players to be as positive as possible, play forwards as much as we can, commit bodies forwards into attack and cause them loads of problems and, most importantly, try and get the three points that we want.”

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rob elliot

Crawley boss, Rob Elliot: "We want to continue where we left off from the Mansfield and Wrexham games, where I thought we were excellent." 

"We know how the game ended, and sometimes it doesn't go for you, but I don't think it takes away our fantastic performance - and we want to carry on with that. That's our level of performance, and we'll get points playing like that.

"It's going to be tough going to Bolton - given the size of the club and the players they've got - plus it's the manager's first game. So it's going to be an intense atmosphere and we have to manage, but it's about us and how we play moving forward."

Team News

As confirmed following his booking at Reading last weekend, George Thomason faces a two-game suspension after accumulating 10 yellow cards in League One this season. He will be available for Tuesday's trip to Wrexham in the Vertu Trophy. 

With Thomason banned, Schumacher can however welcome Jay Matete back into the reckoning after serving his three-game suspension. 

Ricardo Almeida Santos still remains sidelined with injury - along with Carlos Mendes Gomes who picked up a knock last week - but both are set to return in the very near future. 

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matete

Form Guide

It was defeat last time out for Wanderers in Steven Schumacher's first game in charge but despite this, Wanderers only remain outside the playoff places on goal difference. 

Last time at home, the Whites took victory against Northampton Town with with goals from George Thomason, Aaron Collins and a Liam Shaw own goal.

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George Thomason goal Northampton Town

Crawley Town sit in 22nd, six points from safety but do have two games in hand on Northampton Town, who are just above the relegation zone.

Saturday's visitors have just one win in their last nine in a run stretching back to mid December. However, their last win did come in their most recent away trip - with a late 1-0 triumph over Mansfield Town thanks to Ade Adeyemo's goal.

Kick off

Saturday 3pm.

Referee

Alex Chilowicz takes charge on Saturday.

He last officiated Wanderers back in September when the Whites took on Huddersfield Town.

Tickets/Wanderers TV

With over 20,000 sold, why not come and show your support for Steven Schumacher in his first home game as Head Coach? Secure your seat HERE!

Audio passes will be available, as always, for UK based supporters. Those based internationally can stream the game through a live video match pass on Wanderers TV.

Click here to purchase your passes.

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