Watch us bounce back, insists Lee

THERE will be no creeping around the pitch at Crawley, says Athletic winger Lee Croft.

Timid in a defeat at Carlisle which brought a four-game unbeaten run crashing down, Paul Dickov's men have been left in no doubt they need to fly out of the blocks to give the in-form promoted side the hurry-up.

Hustling to win possession back high up the field is a must for the visitors to the Broadfield Stadium tomorrow (3pm kick-off), if Athletic's attacking power is to make itself felt.

"I know they are doing well and it will be tough," accepted Croft, who produced the best goalbound effort of the first half at Brunton Park with a shot Carlisle goalkeeper Mark Gillespie parried away.

"But if we are playing well then we can go there and get a result. The gaffer feels we weren't really at the races at Carlisle and didn't press like we normally do.

"Matt Derbyshire got injured early on as well and we missed his presence. We didn't really pass the ball and weren't as composed as we normally are. It was disappointing and we are looking to Crawley now to put it right.

"The staff do everything they can to prepare us for the game and it was just one of those nights (at Carlisle) where we weren't really at the races. When you aren’t, it is difficult to pick up three points."

After Crawley, Athletic face an FA Cup trip to non-league Kidderminster before consecutive home matches against Bury and Tranmere.

"We were down after the Carlisle game, but we have proven over the last month that we have very good players and that we are a very good team when we are 'on it'," added Croft.

"We need to make sure we are all on it to get a result and also take that on to the FA Cup game (at Kidderminster) and two home games."



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