The Opposition View: Crawley Town

Last updated : 01 September 2016 By Jim Bonner

What's your assessment on Crawley's season so far?

We have tried to play football but have only scored one goal in every game. We look a bit toothless.

Are you happy with your club's transfer business over the summer?

We have signed more players then anyone else and we are a bit like a Chelsea reserve side but we were so poor last season so major surgery was needed.

Who are the key players in this current Red Devils squad?

James Collins is a proven League Two striker. Jordon Roberts has been out injured but he's a powerful attacking midfielder/winger who could cause a lot of problems at this level.

Mark Connolly, combatative centre half. He was part of our League One side that finished 12th a couple of seasons ago and we got him back from Kilmarnock where he had been club captain. Enzio Boldewijn, flying Dutch winger. We will get a lot of money for him at the end of this season.

What are the main strengths and weaknesses of your team?

Strengths: The wingers are quick and direct and the defence looks solid (apart from at Notts County).

Weaknesses: The central midfield has trouble holding onto the ball so we tend to pass backwards. We may have solved this with the new signing Aliu Kaby Djalo but he is away for this match on international duty (Guinnea-Bissau).

What do you make of the current Portsmouth squad?

I've not heard much about your current squad but Carl Baker is very good and I quite like Milan Lalkovic. I also liked Hollands before he left and was interested to see what Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain was like, too.

What kind of match can we expect on Saturday? Will you park the bus and play for a draw like the other visitors have so far this season?

Not sure we can park the bus but I would expect us to try to counter quickly due to the speed of our wingers.

Predict the outcome of the game.

I think we can score and I would be happy with a draw but eternal optimism says we will sneak a 2-1 win.