Crawley Town manger John Yems hails players' efforts throughout the campaign

Crawley Town manager John Yems was full of praise for his players' efforts throughout the 2020-21 season.
Manager John Yems hailed his Crawley Town side for stepping up to the plate this season. Picture by Jamie Evans/UK Sports Images LtdManager John Yems hailed his Crawley Town side for stepping up to the plate this season. Picture by Jamie Evans/UK Sports Images Ltd
Manager John Yems hailed his Crawley Town side for stepping up to the plate this season. Picture by Jamie Evans/UK Sports Images Ltd

The Reds concluded their League Two campaign on Saturday with a 4-1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

The result saw the Trotters secure automatic promotion to League One and the Reds finish 12th with 61 points.

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This League Two season has thrown up many challenges for Yems and his charges.

The 2020-21 campaign was condensed due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning there were two games a week throughout the majority of the season.

Crawley’s most punishing run came in March. The Reds played eight times that month and had long and arduous trips to Morecambe, Tranmere Rovers, Barrow and Carlisle United.

Following Crawley’s dramatic 1-1 home draw with Walsall on March 16, the Reds went on a six-game winless run, eventually recording a superb 2-0 victory away at Bradford City on April 13.

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During this period, the Reds slowly dropped out of the play-off race as the demanding schedule and fatigue took it’s toll.

But Yems was thoroughly delighted with his player’s aptitude and attitude this season.

The Crawley Town manager lauded his charges for stepping up to the plate but was frustrated by the challenging nature of their 2020-21 league campaign.

He said: “From our players point of view, every one of them, and I mean every one of them, has been fantastic.

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“We’ve had players playing like George (Francomb) against Forest Green Rovers who weren’t fit but put a shift in. They’ve all stepped up to the plate.

“The frustrating thing is, once you think you’ve got it sussed as a team, something seems to happen with injuries or Covid.

“It’s like Tom Nichols. He got sent off (against Newport County) for allegedly elbowing somebody.

“I’ve never seen a player get kicked and punched and pulled all around the pitch as much as he does.

“But the lads have been fantastic. All of the boys. They’ve all stepped up to the plate and have done the club proud.”