Gabriele Cioffi has told the Crawley players he inherited they are under-achievers.

And he reckons they are well on the way to putting that right.

Reds remain just outside the League Two play-off places after being held to a 1-1 draw by high-flying Exeter on Tuesday night at the Broadfield Stadium.

They can make a big statement about their progress on Saturday when they visit Tranmere Rovers.

Cioffi took over at Crawley early in the season and believes he inherited players who should have achieved more.

The Italian told The Argus: “As you can see, as everyone can see, these lads have skills. What I’m thinking is they under-achieved in the past.

“That is because of them, not because of what has happened in the club before or at their previous clubs.

“What we are trying to do is create a strong ‘we’. We do that by working. One breath, one mind.

“When you do yoga, if there are 24 of you, you have to have the same breath. And so, it becomes a flow, a strong flow.”

Asked about his players’ reaction to being called under-achievers, Cioffi replied: “I think they understood because of the way they are playing.

“I think they realise (it’s true) because they didn’t train well or they didn’t trust themselves or because of the destiny in their life.

“They should be ready for me at this moment – and they are.”