Boss John Gregory has promised Crawley fans a more adventurous approach this season.

Reds were the fourth lowest scorers in League One last year with only the bottom three of Carlisle, Shrewsbury and Stevenage finding the net fewer times.

Their tally of 48 goals was 11 down on the previous season with the statistics looking even worse when you consider they plundered 13 in their opening six matches.

Reds – who kick off their campaign at Barnsley on Saturday – also failed to score in 15 of their 46 games and their lack of firepower was the main reason they finished down in 14th place despite boasting a strong defensive record.

Gregory has moved to solve the problem by bringing in strikers Izale McLeod, Matt Harrold and Gavin Tomlin over the summer while he has also vowed to encourage his players to be more positive going forward even if it leaves them vulnerable at the back.

Gregory said: “Only three teams scored fewer goals than us last year and all three were relegated so that tells you something. That is appalling.

“That was our biggest downfall last season and that side of our game has to be much better this year.

“There were only six teams that conceded fewer goals than us last year.

“Peterborough and Rotherham both conceded more than us but they were in play-offs because they scored goals which covered up their deficiencies.

“Rotherham had one of the weakest defences in the league but their attacking side of the game was phenomenal. If anyone scored two goals against Rotherham they could score three.

“We have got to be more positive. I want us to take risks a little bit more than possibly we did last year even if we concede more.

“We’ve spent a bit of time on it and spent a few quid as well on the likes of Izale, Matt and Gavin.

“The three of them are considered goalscorers in this division so we’ve concentrated a lot on our attacking side of the game.

“As long as we are scoring at the other end and winning games that is what matters.”

Matt Tubbs finished as Crawley’s leading scorer with eight last season with Billy Clarke and Jamie Proctor just behind on seven.

Gregory is hopeful his new strike trio can all get into double figures this year and is also looking for the rest of the team to chip in as well.

“I was really pleased with our goal against Chelsea last Saturday because the left-back crossed for the centre-back to head down for a midfielder to score,” added Gregory.

“Not enough of goals came from other areas of the pitch last season so that was encouraging to see.

“We relied on the strikers too much last year so that has got to change a little bit this season.

“I’d like to see at least one of my centre-halfs to get into double figures.

“They go up there (into the penalty area) often enough so they have got to contribute more. “Sometimes they go up there as an ornament instead of expecting to score.

“But the delivery has got to be right as well because if you don’t put the ball in the right areas you aren’t going to score.

“Too many times last year we didn’t deliver into the danger zone so I hope that will improve as I’ve been impressed with our corners in pre-season.”