Josh Simpson insists the only way is up for Crawley.

The midfielder cut a frustrated figure in the stands as Reds lost four league games in a row, culminating in the 4-0 hammering by Rochdale.

But Simpson’s return from an ankle injury picked up on the opening day at Barnsley coincided with Crawley’s most emphatic win of the season last weekend.

The skipper got through 70 minutes to help Reds to a 2-0 victory over Yeovil Town and believes the result can be a launchpad as they head to Coventry City today looking for their first away win since the triumph at Oakwell at the start of August.

Simpson said: “I watched most of the games while I was injured and I think we have been playing really well. Our performances have been good bar a couple of games but the results weren’t going our way.

“Maybe that affected confidence a little but I think we have turned the corner in the last few weeks. The squad is a lot stronger now with the players who have come in and the performance in the second half last Saturday was the best we have played this season.

“We have won a few games by one goal and they have been quite close so scoring two and keeping a clean sheet was a big thing for our confidence. Hopefully that will be a turning point and we can build on it.

“The mood in the camp has been great this week and I think we will be looking to drive on now and push up that table.

“It’s going to be a tough game today but one we are all looking forward to playing in and we will go there full of confidence after the performance against Yeovil.”

Simpson hopes it can be a turning point for him too after being sidelined for seven weeks with an injury which initially didn’t appear that serious.

The 27-year-old looked a little rusty in the opening stages against the Glovers but grew in confidence as the game went on before tiring in the second half.

He added: “It has been really frustrating. I have never been injured for this long before and to do it in the first game of the season was particularly annoying.

“I never really knew the time scale of how long it was going to be and that made it harder. I kept trying to do a bit and then realise it wasn’t at the point I thought it was and that is was why it dragged on.

“I’ve worked really hard to get fit again and I’m still doing rehab work now. Whenever you are injured you are always first in and last out.

“It is not the most enjoyable of times as you are putting a lot of effort in and don’t have the game on Saturday to look forward to so I was really happy to get back last weekend.

“There were some moments when it felt sore which is natural.

“It is going to be like that for a few games but the adrenaline got me through.

“I was a bit wary to start with but after a while I forget about it. It was always going to be a matter of how long I lasted but I was pleased to get 70 minutes under my belt and hopefully I can build on that.”

Simpson’s return coupled with the arrivals of Keith Keane, Marvin Elliott and Josh Wright has given manager John Gregory a wealth of options in midfield.

With Conor Henderson, Jimmy Smith and Bobson Bawling also in the squad Reds have essentially seven players battling it out for three central midfield roles in Gregory’s preferred 4-4-1-1 formation – although Smith operated on the right against Yeovil.

“You look at the bench now and there are a lot of good players on there and also in the stands which is what we needed,” added Simpson.

“The gaffer has got more choice now and also those in the team know they need to perform as there are others ready to step in.”