REDS defender Dean Howell insists Crawley should be able to play without fear in front of their own fans against Stoke in Sunday’s FA Cup Fifth Round tie.
The Reds have a formidable record at home in the past 18 months, with just two defeats at the Broadfield Stadium this season. And with a capacity crowd roaring Steve Evans’ men on, left back Howell believes anything is possible against the Premier League outfit.
“Playing at a smaller ground like the Broadfield suits us more,” he declared.
“They (Stoke) are coming to our ground, the facilities are not what they are used to and the atmopshere will be very different.
“We are at home, we will be used to the surroundings being close, we have made the Broadfield a fortress in the last couple of seasons.”
With two similar, high-tempo styles of football on the pitch, Howell is certain the Potters will meet a side who fight fire with fire.
“We will take any side at home really,” Howell said. “It’s going to be a very interesting game I think we play a very similar style, we have a fit, strong, powerful team, they like to play pressure football the way we do, they also have very quick and skilful players.
“It’s going to be a physical game.”
And Howell is adamant it would be a bad move for Crawley to alter their style of play in the face of the likely physical confrontation. He added: “We are going into the game as we would any other, to change the way we play would be stupid, we might change personnel or shape, but not the way we play.
“There is no point having any negative feelings towards the game, there is nothing to say why we should fear this game.
“We have played against Championship sides and dealt with them, for any player to say they fear this game will be silly. We go into this full of confidence, that’s what the FA Cup is all about. We have almost got an expectation to beat Championship teams. We were favourites to beat Bristol City and I don’t know how that happens.”