Defender: It's a great honour for me
Defender Joe Walsh says it’s an honour to be named as our new club captain.
The 22-year-old is one of the youngest skipper’s in the club’s history and says it was a pleasant surprise to be handed the armband on a permanent basis.
Speaking before he boarded the team bus to travel to Saturday’s game at Oldham, Joe said: “The Gaffer spoke to me before training on Thursday. Obviously it’s a job I have done a few times this season when Josh (Simpson) has been out but I must admit I still wasn’t expecting it.
“I’m very pleased though – it’s a great honour and hopefully it will help me take my own game to a higher level.”
Joe is fast approaching 100 appearances for the club, having arrived in August 2012 from Swansea City.
And he feels Reds are capable of achieving a lot more this season.
He added: “We’re 15th so we’re not doing too badly. There are nine clubs in a very competitive league who would happily be in our position.
“But as a squad we know we can do better. I think we have the players here to climb up this league. A couple of wins can make a big difference both to our position in the
table and confidence levels.
“Oldham will be difficult. We always have hard games up there but I don’t think there is too much to choose between us. We’ve got a couple of player missing tomorrow but there is still enough in our squad to go up there and get a result.”
Joe ended with a message to the Reds’ fans. “They have always been good to me. The atmosphere on Tuesday even though we didn’t have a big crowd in was really good. All I’d ask is that they stick with the players. We all want to do well for them and the club as well as ourselves."
Manager John Gregory added: "Joe gives it everything each time he pulls on the Crawley Town shirt. He doesn't shout and bawl but he's a leader and a very determined character. I think he will do a great job in the role."
