Last updated 22:07, Friday, 10 October 2008

ON STRIKE: Crawley Town forward Jon-Paul Pittman will be looking to score against the Bluebirds tomorrow CRAWLEY OBSERVER

It meant he was not able to have any direct contact with any members of the playing squad for two hours before and after games.

Ironically the ban ended when Crawley surrendered their nine-match unbeaten record at Burton last week, his team then drawing 2-2 at home to Forest Green midweek.

Evans says: “When you are highly involved on the touchline it’s more emotional.

“You are less emotional in the stand, but the improved view allows better analysis, and you can still communicate to the team effectively.

“Everybody reviews the table after you have completed a third of the season. Anyone remotely interested in football would say we are top on merit and are in with a chance of winning the league.

“If you are top after one third of the season there is no reason why you can't be top after three-thirds.”

Crawley, who finished 15th last season, were stabilised with new owners over the summer.

They play 4-3-3 with Jamie Cook top scorer, keeper Simon Rayner came from Torquay.

l The club’s Redz Bar welcomes AFC supporters, with live coverage of the England v Kazakhstan game at teatime.