VIDEO: John Gregory gives his reaction to Eastleigh draw

Crawley Town manager John Gregory said he was ‘fairly happy’ with his side’s display during their 3-3 draw away to Conference Premier club Eastleigh.
Crawley Town manager John Gregory speaks to the media at Eastleigh SUS-140727-183947002Crawley Town manager John Gregory speaks to the media at Eastleigh SUS-140727-183947002
Crawley Town manager John Gregory speaks to the media at Eastleigh SUS-140727-183947002

He said during the first half his team was made up of first choice players for his first League One match and were leading 3-1.

Then he made six substitutions and Crawley conceded two goals to end up honours even against a sidce two divisions below.

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Gregory said: “Eastleigh have a lot of players that work hard for their manager and make it difficult for their opponents and they are going to be a big test for everybody in the Conference this season.

Crawley Town manager John Gregory speaks to the media at Eastleigh SUS-140727-183947002Crawley Town manager John Gregory speaks to the media at Eastleigh SUS-140727-183947002
Crawley Town manager John Gregory speaks to the media at Eastleigh SUS-140727-183947002

“That said I was fairly happy with the first hour when I had most of my first choice players playing on the pitch. Most of those will be playing at Barnsley in a couple of weeks. We were leading 3-1 at that stage.

“Once I started to make changes you start getting a bit disorganised - putting on trialists, putting on players who are playing out of position.

“I like to use everybody in these pre-season games. Dean Leacock was carrying a knock so I took him off early and Gwion Edwards twisted his ankle in the first half and I took him off fairly early.

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“One of our players gave the ball away and they scored so I took him off straight away!

“You play a Conference team and some of your players expect to just turn up and consider themselves superior.

“The opposition want to show they League One team that maybe they could play in League One.

“They were the undergogs today. Crawley Town have a history of being the underdogs and we have known what it’s like to go to a place and are not expected to win. Eastleigh made it difficult for us today.”

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Gregory was partularly impressed with his latest two new signings Emmett O’Connor and Bobson Bawling, who both came on in the second half.

He said: “They were arguably our two best players. They have come along and impressed everyone, including the fans. So many fans have got in touch with me. It was a simple decision to sign them!”