Crawley Town lost 1-0 to Charlton at the Broadfield Stadium, here is manager Rob Elliot's full post match press conference.
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00:00Rob, thank you for joining us. It's a defeat here at the Bournemouth Stadium. Can you give us your thoughts after the game?
00:05Yeah, disappointing. I felt we deserved something more from the game, especially the way we pushed towards the end.
00:09It just didn't fall for us. Poor goal to concede. Chult step on your man for man, so it's a real physical battle.
00:15I thought the lads were exceptional in terms of dealing with it. It's just disappointing in terms of the moment of quality.
00:20We could have had opportunities to really hurt them and open them up, but obviously that's why they're the leanest team in the league.
00:25If you don't concede many, you can see why. They were really aggressive high up the pitch and defended huge numbers underneath it.
00:32It's really disappointing. The lads are gutted because they've given absolutely everything for the second game in a row.
00:38We just weren't able to get that final bit of quality in the box for it to fall for us.
00:43Disappointing because I think their mentality going into the game and the way we dealt with their exceptional physicality for this level.
00:52I thought the lads were brilliant to a man, but I think we just lacked that little bit of quality in the final third.
00:57In the first half, we just panicked a little bit and played into their press a bit too much, which we talked about going over it.
01:02That was disappointing, but in the second half, I thought we adjusted to it well.
01:06We got a foothold in the game and just didn't have that final third breakdown to be able to get the goal.
01:10A bit of a scrappy affair. A lot of loose balls that we were actually picking up really well for large parts of the game.
01:17As you say, we certainly controlled a lot of the momentum going forward.
01:21Is it just a disappointment that we seem to lack shots on target, lack movement inside the box to create those final chances?
01:29Yes, we talked about loading the box, getting good numbers and hitting the zones.
01:34It comes with two things. It comes with desire to get in the box and it comes with fitness levels to get there.
01:38I think that's the thing Cholwood did exceptionally well in terms of the way they play, the way they covered it around.
01:44I think it's something that we're definitely improving on. It's something we need to improve on.
01:48I think it's just that last bit of quality that we do get into those areas.
01:52It's just making sure that we hit the crossing zones we talked about.
01:55We talked about the pullback a lot tonight because of the way they dropped in and we weren't able to manipulate that to get the opportunity.
02:01When we did, we weren't able to hit the target.
02:03It's great that we have all that dominance in the box entries, but we need to turn it into goals.
02:08That's probably what has let us down in the last game or two.
02:12We get the goal against Reading, but I thought the opportunities we've got in the box, we could have capitalised more.
02:18The good news is that we're going to have Brashan and Tola both back from their suspensions.
02:24Will Swann had an incredible job coming up against that back line today.
02:29Will, those sort of additions, obviously Brashan with a bit of pacing behind and Tola is quite a big figure in the box.
02:34Were they help in games and situations like that where Will is forced to try and control this massive back line on his own?
02:41I thought Will was brilliant. He's put his body on the line.
02:44He worked so hard and he had a couple of opportunities that I think on another day he gets the contact right.
02:51Will Swann runs his heart into the ground in this game.
02:54He might have the highlights, he might not look like it, but he does the most work for the team.
03:00Every single week he gives everything and he's been a real credit.
03:04Having Tola and Rushy back will definitely help in terms of their options.
03:09Rushy has had a good turn of form since the new year and Tola obviously goes wrong.
03:13He knows where the goal is and he's good physically.
03:17Obviously the one thing we do lack in terms of the forward players is that aerial threat and that's the disappointing thing.
03:22When you do get into those areas, not being able to have that extra aerial threat in terms of getting on the end of crosses when the teams do load the box.
03:29So we have to be even more careful in terms of the cutbacks and the balls across the front.
03:34It's good to have the squad coming back.
03:37Having Tola and Rushy definitely has that attacking impetus.
03:42We'll see where it takes us through the week and where we're at Saturday.
03:47It is great to see the likes of Jeremy coming back because that not only helps the XI that are out there but also the bench as well.
03:55It gives you fresh options to bring people on.
03:58Charlton were a great example of that. They had some great names again on the bench this evening that they were able to utilise.
04:05It just shows how important a big squad can be because we are still down to bare bones, aren't we?
04:10Yes, we are. You see a lot of tired bodies out there.
04:12If we're having to rotate and rest and make changes because of injury, we have to be careful of a few lads.
04:17But that's football, that's life.
04:19We've had a lot of impact injuries this year.
04:24I think it's the step-up to this league, the physicality, the size of the players.
04:27It's taken us a little while to adjust.
04:29Obviously, losing two players to two setbacks doesn't help.
04:33It's disappointing in terms of the players available because when you have a fully fit squad, you've got quality and depth.
04:43Hopefully, we can turn a corner on that.
04:45The big thing is people step up.
04:47You look at Ben Radcliffe who was playing in the National League in the season.
04:52Charlie Barker, who came in after playing in the National League last year, is now our captain for the last couple of games.
04:57He's been absolutely exceptional.
04:59Sometimes, it seems like it can be the darkest time.
05:03There's always a bit of light in some people and players.
05:07I think what I'm really proud of this group is, even though we're having tough times, they've stuck together.
05:11They've been exceptional people.
05:13I think they've set standards, even though the results haven't reflected that.
05:16It's a results business, so we need to make sure that we're able to go and get the points that we need.
05:20What's the overall feeling like in the dressing room?
05:23Just to expand on that, obviously, we know how big statistics are at this club, but also lots of other clubs as well.
05:29Running statistics are a big part of that.
05:31I think tonight, there's going to be probably some exceptional numbers from a lot of the players in there.
05:35As you say, we keep banging the drum on it, but the players are giving their 110%.
05:40It must hurt even more after a gutsy performance like that, especially with the chances that we've created.
05:46It must hurt a lot more.
05:49The overriding feeling is disappointment.
05:51I think the lads have just got it, because they've given absolutely everything.
05:54I think it was just moments of quality where it could have fell for us and given away a poor goal.
05:58It's been the story of our season.
06:00We've conceded poor goals, and that's something that we have to accept.
06:04That's what lies in my head.
06:06I think the physicality thing is a problem when we first come in.
06:09We've worked hard to get the numbers up to be able to compete at this level,
06:11but we still are probably physically at the data below teams.
06:14That's something we need to reflect on.
06:16We need to make sure that we add that to our overall collective of data and recruitment,
06:20because this league is so tough physically.
06:23It's exceptionally tough.
06:25To have to go up against that, with all the other things that go against us,
06:29it's going to be tough.
06:31For me, as long as the lads are giving everything which they are,
06:34and they're showing that by going on the pitch and everything for the club,
06:38it's the most important thing.
06:41It's the most important thing, because there are players out there
06:43that will be a huge part of Crawley's future.
06:46Players to be exceptionally proud of and look forward to watching.
06:49It's just disappointing when you're going up against what is a very tough league,
06:53tougher positions every week, and then when the results don't come,
06:56that's when you have to stay true and keep doing the right things,
06:59because eventually that will get you where you want to be.
07:03Obviously, the fans' support, again, I thought was really good.
07:07No boos at the end.
07:09I think it was obviously a positive support, as you're applauding the players.
07:12How much does that mean to you?
07:14It's massive. You're always going to come in for criticism.
07:17I think there's times it's been a bit harsh, and times it's been fair.
07:20But when you see a group of players that give absolutely everything,
07:23that's all you can rely on.
07:26Having said to you, Sam, I've not really had the opportunity to get
07:29that sort of connection with the fans,
07:32because I think they had a big period where he was away from home.
07:35I haven't had a huge chance to have that engagement.
07:39Obviously, like I said, I'll make loads of mistakes,
07:42and I'll open the old man up to that.
07:44But I'll always keep backing these players and looking at the things
07:46that they can do, and making sure we keep concentrating on that.
07:49I think there's been a huge adaptation to the squad.
07:52We've probably got younger and less experienced,
07:55but I think there's been better quality, and the players have given absolutely everything.
07:58There's measurables, and there's things that aren't measurable.
08:01I think when you see the fans' reaction in the last couple of home games,
08:04they can see that, especially when you go to Lincoln, down to the bare bones.
08:07It's a disappointing result because of a bad 18 minutes,
08:10but overall, I think when young men are given absolutely everything for the cause,
08:16I think that's the most important thing for a fan,
08:19that you want to see people that care and want to wear the shirt.
08:22These players definitely do.