Smith: I want to stay at Crawley

BEN Smith says his Crawley team-mates know they will all be playing for their futures over the last three months of the season.

The popular midfielder has enjoyed a good start to his Reds career but, like the majority of the squad, is out of contract in the summer and is desperate to earn a new deal at the Broadfield.

Speaking exclusively to the Crawley News the former Arsenal trainee admitted a few of the players were nervous about what would happen in the summer.

He said: "It is the same every summer as most contracts in League Two and the Conference are for only one season so players are constantly having to prove themselves.

"For some it brings out the best in them while others get a bit nervous and it affects their game as they play better with stability.

"But I think it is a little bit worse this year as there isn't that much money around in football at the moment and some players might not be able to keep playing full-time.

"On a personal note I'd definitely like to be here next season but if that isn't possible I need to be playing well to try and convince another club that I am worth a contract."

Smith says he has been reasonably happy with his own form, but admits the lack of games has been frustrating.

"Our form over Christmas was excellent and we've taken 11 points from our last five games, but the weather hasn't helped us as we've lost a little bit of momentum because of it.

"Going out of the FA Trophy was another disappointment as it was a competition I think we could have gone a lot further in."

Manager Steve Evans has been told he will have a bigger budget next season and is currently identifying which players he can bring in to help push towards the play-offs next season.

"Mathematically we're not out of it this year," added Smith, "but we know that nine points is an awful lot to make up as there are some big teams above us.

"Realistically I think it is for other teams to lose, but we have to make sure that our own form is good and if others do slip up we are right on them to take advantage.

"I always think that if you can finish higher than you did last season then you have had a pretty good year and are making progress. I think Crawley ended up ninth in the end so hopefully with any luck we can finish there or thereabouts this year."