Crawley boss John Yems hopes experienced heads can help his side in absence of fans against Leeds United

Crawley Town face one of the biggest matches in the club’s 125 year history as they welcome Premier League side Leeds United to West Sussex on Sunday lunchtime.

John Yems men are flying in League Two and currently sit inside the play-off places on 34 points after winning three of their last four matches in the competition.

The Red Devils do however face a tough test in the the country’s biggest cup competition as they welcome Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds to the Broadfield Stadium.

They will once again be without their fans for the visit of the Yorkshire club as they have been ever since the football returned following the lockdown.

?‍♂️Leeds prep#TownTeamTogether ? pic.twitter.com/oVfmM4A29u

— Crawley Town FC (@crawleytown) January 7, 2021

Yems knows it’s going to be tough to face this Bielsa side in any time of the year but feels it’s particularly difficult given the absent nature of the fans due to a third lockdown in the United Kingdom.

“The acknowledgement from the fans and togetherness will be missed, the fans are missing out on seeing the biggest team that have been here, Yems said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Leeds clash.

“We are there to win and not to make the numbers up. You can guarantee that we will try our hardest to win the game.

“You’re playing a side that’s steep with good players, to be on the pitch with them is something you can learn off. Playing a Premier League side is huge for the club.

“We’ve got proper experienced pros like Tony Craig, Tom Nichols and George Francomb who try to lift the atmosphere in the absence of fans.”

The Red Devils will need to count of the likes of Craig, Nichols and Francomb’s experience in this tie if they are to have any chance of causing an upset.

Having been unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions, it sends Yems’ side into the game in about as good a position as they could have wished for. Bielsa’s side have been one of the Premier League’s biggest entertainers this season, seeing 66 goals in the 17 games they have been involved in so far this season which is a league high.

Crawley reached this stage thanks to away victories over AFC Wimbeldon (2-1) and a stunning 6-5 away win over Torquay when they were 5-3 down in extra time.

Forward Tom Nichols, who scored a hat trick and set up two other goals in the win at Torquay, also spoke to the media ahead of clash and knows just how tough a clash it will be for his side but feels they are in a very good moment.

“They’re a massive club that I grew up watching. They’re high energy, the positions their players find themselves in during matches can be surprising but it should make a great game.

“We don’t have anything to fear, we’re on a great run of form and it’s probably the best time for us to play them. The morale is high and we’re going to give it a real go.”

It’s all set to be a massive tie in West Sussex but will Yems’ team be able to upset all the odds to secure a massive upset or will Leeds’ quality prevail and see them through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

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