Simon Walton is ready to help Crawley’s kids through the rigours of Christmas as he locks horns with another old pro.

But the vastly experienced Reds midfielder has urged colleagues of all ages to do all they can to get their own games right at home to his old club Stevenage on Boxing Day.

Walton believes players who have been around the block have a key role to play in League Two.

He classes both himself and Stevenage’s recent addition Michael Tonge among those.

And last season's Stevenage captain hopes he is the happier ex-Leeds man as Reds aim to respond to their 4-2 defeat at Barnet – in a game featuring both sublime and ridiculous goals – by continuing their good recent home run.

Walton, 28, said: “Successful teams have a good strong spine to them. Stevenage have added that in Michael Tonge, who not so long ago was playing in the Championship and we have experience in the middle.

“We have two younger centre-halves but me and Jimmy (Smith), or whoever plays in there, and Matty (Harrold) up top, have experience.

“You are there to help and guide people but you have got to look after yourself as well.

The Argus:

Michael Tonge in action for Leeds against Albion in 2013

“At the minute I think we all need to have a look at ourselves and make sure we are all on top of our game. But experience in this league, especially coming around the Christmas period where young kids might not have been around it before, is important.

“I was looked after by experienced players so I try to do the same to the younger players we have around here. Hopefully they listen to most of it!”

When pushed, Walton will give some sort of idea as the sort of knowhow he had around him in West Yorkshire.

“You’re asking me to name drop now, aren’t you?” he laughed.

“But when I was growing up at Leeds I had the likes of Gary Kelly and Alan Smith, who had been there and come though as young kids and might have been away from their families.

“Michael Duberry, Mark Viduka – all those characters who were there at the time.

“We are quite lucky in that the young lads we have here will listen to you.

“They come for advice. I’ve played in teams where young lads – which is part of the mentality today – don’t want to listen.”

Boss Mark Yates has referred to his young defence being “bullied” in interviews after their last two defeats, at Barnet and Carlisle.

That is an area where a few lessons learnt the hard way might come in handy against a Borough side with 6ft 4in Frenchman Armand Gnanduillet or physical Jamille Matt – or both – up front.

The Reds boss said: “Our centre-halves have been 85% excellent but that 15% has cost us a number of goals.

“We just want defenders to sense danger and see danger more and deal with it. That is throughout the team. We need that mindset that we get the ball back or we defend properly at the back.

“Of late we have just come off it slightly.

“They are two young lads (at centre-back). Sonny (Bradley) is only 24 and Josh (Yorwerth) is 20. (Left-back) Mitch Hancox is 20, Lewis (Young at right-back) is a novice in the position he is playing.

“We have done bits of everything with them this week and it has gone well but we don’t know how well until Saturday.”

Some Reds fans will watch from the Structured Communications Stand on Saturday. The telecommunications provider have agreed a sponsorship deal until the end of the 2017-18 season meaning a name change to the Bruce Winfield Stand, with the blessing of the Winfield family.

Meanwhile the East Stand is now sponsored by People's Pension after the club secured a deal they have described as "significant".