Opposition Lowdown: Rob Elliot’s Crawley Town

Reading return from the international break with a lunchtime kickoff against Crawley Town at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this Saturday. Join us as we take a look at the opposition.

Form

Crawley Town won promotion from League Two via the playoffs last season, beating Crewe Alexandra 2-0 at Wembley. They finished seventh in the league but beat third-placed MK Dons in the playoff semi finals, winning 8-1 on aggregate.

The Red Devils had plied their trade in League Two for the last nine seasons, having been relegated from League One back in 2015. Last season marked their highest finish in the league over those nine years.

They have had a tough start to life back in the third tier and currently sit in 22nd place in the league, following two wins, one draw and seven losses. They have lost their last five games in the league with their most recent defeat coming last weekend, when they lost 3-5 at home to fellow strugglers Shrewsbury Town.

The two sides have faced each other only once before, when Reading beat Crawley 1-3 in an FA Cup third-round tie in January 2013, after a goal from current under-21 boss Noel Hunt and two from another Royal favourite: Adam Le Fondre.

The boss

Rob Elliot: Elliot was appointed Crawley manager at the start of October, taking over from Scott Lindsay, who dropped back down to League Two, taking over the reins at MK Dons.

Elliot had a 20-year career as a goalkeeper, representing Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United, while also picking up a handful of caps for the Republic of Ireland. He ended his playing career at National League side Gateshead, where he was also technical director.

Elliot became caretaker manager at Gateshead in October 2023 and guided the side to a sixth-place finish in the league and an FA Trophy win. He was given the job on a full-time basis back in June of this year and led them to fifth place in the league before Crawley came calling, to appoint him as Lindsay’s replacement.

The 38-year-old has impressed in his short managerial career so far and had his Gateshead side playing free-flowing attacking football.

Squad

It was an incredibly busy summer in Crawley, where a large proportion of their promotion-winning squad from last season left and 21 signings came in through the door.

Those leaving the club included former Reading midfielder Liam Kelly, who joined MK Dons; star striker Danilo Orsi, who signed for Burton Albion; and midfielder Klaidi Lolos, who joined Bolton Wanderers. Midfielder Ben Gladwin retired but took on the role of caretaker manager, before joining the coaching staff at MK Dons.

Crawley paid a transfer fee for centre-back Benjamin Tanimu, who joined from Tanzanian side Singida SC. Other notable permanent signings included goalkeeper Joe Wollacott, defenders Josh Flint and Scott Malone, midfielders Max Anderson and Junior Quitirna, and forwards Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Will Swan.

They also completed the loan signings of goalkeeper Eddie Beach (Chelsea), midfielders Bradley Ibrahim (Hertha BSC) and Cameron Bragg (Southampton), and winger Michael Dacosta (Bournemouth).

Defender Josh Flint will miss this weekend’s game through suspension after being sent off in last weekend’s match with Shrewsbury. Goalkeepers Beach and Ryan Sandford are both out injured, but summer signing Wollacott will be available after his return from international duty.

Predicted lineup

Wollacott, Barker, Mullarkey, Mukena, Quitirna, Ibrahim, Camara, Kelly, Darcy, Swan, Hepburn-Murphy

Key player

Junior Quitirna: Midfielder Quitirna joined Crawley in the summer, signing from relegated Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee.

Quitirna started his youth career at AFC Hornchurch before joining the youth setup at Charlton. He made his professional debut for the Addicks in 2019 and made one additional appearance before signing for Waterford in 2021. Quitirna played 56 games in Ireland, scoring 21 goals.

He signed for Fleetwood in January last year and was sent straight out on loan to National League side Altrincham for the remainder of the season. He went on to play 31 games for Fleetwood, scoring five goals and logging five assists.

Quitirna has made 12 appearances for Crawley so far this season and is their top scorer, with four goals to his name. The 24-year-old usually plays in centre midfield but can also play out wide. He is a strong passer of the ball and likes to shoot from range.

One to watch

Jeremy Kelly: Midfielder Kelly joined Crawley in February this year, signing from US side FC Tulsa.

He started his college career in Carolina and went on to join MLS side Colorado Rapids in 2020. Kelly made eight appearances in the MLS, before dropping down to the USL Championship with Memphis 901 in 2022.

Kelly signed a short-term deal with Crawley in February but became a key member of the team, making 21 appearances for the club last season. He signed a two-year deal with The Red Devils this summer and has played a part in every league game so far this season.

The 26-year-old American typically plays on the left-hand side of midfield, but he can also play in defence. Kelly is a strong passer of the ball with good vision for a through ball.