Boss looks ahead to Saturday and the new era at the club
Manager Mark Yates has welcomed the conclusion of the sale of the club to Ziya Eren but for Mark and his staff it’s business as usual as we prepare for Saturday’s trip to Luton Town.
Mr Eren took control of the club on Wednesday and on the same day the boss was able to add to his squad by bringing in striker Liam McAlinden on loan from Wolves.
Mark said: “It’s been a busy week but the takeover is now complete and we can move forward as a club.
“I’ve spoken to Ziya Eren and his representatives on a number of occasions over the last few weeks. I think it was probably time for a change, to inject some fresh ideas and impetus into the club and I look forward to being part of it.
“I know the fans are excited about what the future may hold but my priority is making sure we finish this season as strongly as possible. We have 11 games left and, if we’re being realistic, getting into the play-offs is probably beyond us.
“But there are still 33 points to play for and we are absolutely determined as a group to finish this season in as high a position we can because it creates momentum to take into next season.
“The additions we’ve made in the last couple of weeks have really strengthened the squad and given us competition for places so we are looking to finish the season strongly and make sure we don’t get dragged down the table. We’re looking upwards.”
Liam McAlinden, who has been given squad no.11, is likely to play some part tomorrow and Mark is looking forward to seeing what the 22-year-old Wolves striker can offer during his loan spell until the end of the season.
He added: “Liam is a player I have seen lots of times and I know that he can give us something. He’s big physically but he’s not necessarily a target man because he likes to get in behind the strikers and use his pace and movement.
“What he needs is a run of games and that’s what we can offer him. It’s the first time he’s played in League 2 so that will take some getting used to but I expect him to do well for us.”
Looking at Saturday’s opponents, Mark knows Luton away is as tough as it gets in the section at the moment.
“Nathan (Jones) has gone in and changed things about a bit and they are on a great run with four wins on the spin,” he said.
“They have probably got an eye on getting into the play-offs and there will be a big, expectant crowd there tomorrow expecting them to beat little old Crawley.
“But I know we can cause them problems. We have to go there and play with confidence. The two games earlier in the season I felt we should have won.
"We beat them in the league and, if anything, we played better in the FA Cup tie only to concede a goal in the last minute. So we know we can give them a good game.”
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