Crawley Boss Issues Tough Memorial Stadium Visit Ahead Of Bristol Rovers Clash

Crawley Town manager Rob Elliot admits that the Memorial Stadium is a tough place to go, but has urged his side to show bravery against Bristol Rovers and put their imprint on the game.

The League One clash between Crawley and Bristol Rovers has survived the raft of postponements during an international break which often hits the division.

Crawley sit inside the League One drop zone, but beating Bristol Rovers this weekend could see them climb out of trouble.

Elliot, who has experience of playing at the Mem as a player, knows the difficult nature of the job at hand for him and his team at the weekend.

Having a brave mentality and imprinting themselves in the game will be important to secure points on the day, the visiting manager believes.

“It is going to be a tough game. Obviously, it is going to be a brilliant atmosphere down there”, Elliot told his club’s official media.

“They are a very good team, very robust, very physical but then also can play.

“I know a few of the players, I know the manager as well and Matty [Matt Taylor] has done a brilliant job since he has gone there.

“So, yes it is a very difficult place to go. I remember when as a player I went there, it can be a difficult place to go.

“I think the challenge for us is to go into these places now with the confidence that we built in the last few games and make sure that we have that steel mentality to know that to get any points away from home is tough.

“We need to go there and really imprint ourselves on the game in terms of mentality and our bravery on the ball but also bravery out of possession and keep a good line and be more aggressive higher up.

“And just keep improving the things that we have improved on – we need to get better from set-pieces because at this level it is such a big thing.

“It is a big thing at any level but at this level in particular. But what has been good is our structure and defensive shape from in play.”

Bristol Rovers have a solid home record in League One this term and have won four of their seven matches at the Mem.