Search for
Search for
Search forBusy summer for the Red Devils' boss
Friday, August 22, 2008, 14:08
Eleven new signings transformed a squad which had done pretty well to finish comfortably in mid-table last season, despite a six-point deduction for financial irregularities.
With Ashley Bayes set for a move which eventually materialised to Stevenage, Evans made little secret that a new goalkeeper was one of his top priorities.
His No.1 target was Torquay's Simon Rayner and, as well as landing the big Canadian following his transfer-listing at Plainmoor, Evans also signed Southend youngster Nick Morgan as back-up.
Halifax Town's collapse freed up several decent players and former Boston manager Evans, ever with an eye for a bargain, signed three at first and then a fourth this month.
Defender Jake Wright, midfielder Danny Forrest and striker Lewis Killeen all arrived from The Shay, followed by centre-back Adam Quinn more recently.
Three other important deals brought defender Chris Giles from Forest Green Rovers and two experienced strikers — Steve Fletcher and Isaiah Rankin.
Big targetman Fletcher arrived at the age of 36 after spells with Hartlepool, AFC Bournemouth, where he scored 105 goals in nearly 550 games over 15 years, and Chesterfield.
Rankin (see Player To Watch) was signed after a disappointing six months at Stevenage.
So tomorrow Rayner is expected to play in goal against his old club.
Giles hopes to recover from injury to join a back-four roster already including Quinn, Bradley Thomas, Wright and full-backs Glenn Wilson and ex-Brighton youngster Sam Rents.
Crawley's likely midfield is summer signing Simon Weatherstone from Weymouth on the right with Frenchman Thomas Pinault, now in his second season after spell with Colchester, Grimsby and Brentford, on the left and Forrest and Dannie Bulman (Wycombe, Stevenage) in the middle.
Evans has been starting with Killeen and Jon-Paul Pittman up front, but Fletcher and Rankin will push them for their places if they are fit.
The surprise is that Jamie Cook, who hit 16 goals from 37 league starts last season, has found himself on the subs' bench so far, along with goalie Morgan, defender Jamie Stevens and midfielders Mitcham Nayee and Anton Douglas.
Comment on this story