‘We need the three points’ – Crawley Town striker Tom Nichols on ‘must win’ game at Southend United

Crawley striker Tom Nichols want himself and his Reds teammates to finish the season strong as they head into the final few games of the League Two Season.
Tom NicholsTom Nichols
Tom Nichols

Crawley Town travel to Southend on Saturday to second from bottom Southend on Saturday and with Reds not winning in seven, Nichols admitted that it is a must win.

"We need the three points, there’s no getting away from it. We’re not in good form at the moment but we’ve been working hard on the training pitch and we’re looking forward to the game.

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"They’re (Southend) going to be scrapping hard for their lives and we need points as well because we’re probably not going to finish where we want to finish but we want to finish strong so it should be a good game.

"Spirits are okay considering we’re on a bit of a tricky run at the moment, but we like to keep spirits up win, lose or draw and we’re looking forward to the game."

Despite Crawley faltering as of late, Nichols personally has had a fantastic league campaign totalling 11 goals and 7 assists and he believes that more is yet to come for him.

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He said: "Yeah, it’s been good but there’s a lot more to do; more goals, more assists and more goals for the team really. It’s been a positive season but there’s eight games left, and I want to finish as strongly as possible.

"It’s nice, it’s (getting goals and assists) what I want to do. The way I play my game is what I’m based on and what I’m judged on and I’ve been doing well this year.

"It’s nice to look at the stats and see my name up there near the top because that’s what I want at the end of the day is to be up there amongst the most creative players and the goal scorers in the league. Obviously, I need more goals but I’m quite high up in other stats as well which is pleasing."

Nichols also has featured predominantly for John Yems’ side and being the focal point of the attack has seen him the target from some strong opposition tackling. That doesn’t seem to faze Nichols though and in fact relishes in that aspect of the game.

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"I quite enjoy that (the physical aspect), it means you’re involved in the game. My dad told me if you’re not getting kicked you’re not doing something right! So I enjoy being right amongst it.

"I give away quite a few fouls as well, so I probably give as good as I get. But I’m enjoying it and long may it continue.

"I’ve played a lot of minutes which is what I want and what I keep myself fit for. It’s been a tough schedule but one that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I’d rather be playing than sitting on the bench watching and, touch wood, I’ve stayed injury free and I’ve really enjoyed it."