Crawley Town travel to face League Two leaders Salford City this Saturday as the division's bottom side, with manager Colin Kazim-Richards insisting his team will approach the game with belief. The Reds are 14 points behind their hosts and have taken just five points from their opening eight matches, but are looking to build on a recent fightback.
Kazim-Richards acknowledged the quality of the opposition but stressed his squad's mentality remains unchanged. "Salford are winning," the manager said. "Everybody in this league is beautiful, as we've seen, right?"
Forward Dylan Morgan echoed the sentiment that no team is invincible in the fourth tier. "I think everyone in this league is beatable," Morgan said. "Don't get me wrong, I know Salford are a big team in this league and they'll be expected to be up there."
Recent form provides hope
Crawley's recent performances offer a glimmer of confidence ahead of the daunting trip to Moor Lane. Last Tuesday, they came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Chesterfield, with Gianmarco Biase Di scoring twice, including a penalty. That followed a 4-0 victory over Bromley in the EFL Trophy, a match where Duke-McKenna netted a brace.
Despite those positive moments, the league table makes for grim reading. Crawley sit 24th with a record of one win, two draws and five losses, having scored eight goals and conceded 15. Their next challenge is the toughest possible, away to a Salford side that sits top of the standings by a single point.
The challenge ahead
Salford have won three of their last four league games, including a 2-0 victory at Cheltenham last weekend. Managed by Karl Robinson and backed by significant investment, they are strong favourites. Crawley's task will be to tighten up defensively after a run that has seen them lose three of their last five league outings.
Kazim-Richards confirmed his side will not alter their preparation despite the gulf in positions. The focus is on replicating the spirit shown against Chesterfield, where they refused to fold after conceding twice. The full fixtures list shows a key period ahead for the club after this weekend's match.
Kick-off at Moor Lane is at 3pm on Saturday, with Crawley hoping to cause a major upset and climb off the foot of the table.
