Barnett explains Crawley exit

Former Crawley striker Tyrone Barnett has revealed the lure of the Championship was the main reason behind his move to Peterborough.

Barnett, who scored 15 times for Crawley this campaign, joined the Posh on an initial emergency loan deal, but the move is guaranteed to turn permanent in the summer. Boss Steve Evans was loathed to lose the player he described as the 'best striker outside the Premier League', but Barnett felt this was an opportunity he could not turn down. "I was happy to get a move to Peterborough. It couldn't have started better as I scored on my debut," Barnett told the Crawley News. "I'm 26 and obviously I want to play at as high a level as quickly as possible. In football you have to strike while the iron is hot and it doesn't feel like I've done anyone an injustice," The former Macclesfield man had the chance to join Blackpool before Peterborough, but turned their approaches down, much to the Red Devils delight. However, this deal was more suitable to all concerned. "Blackpool, as well as the location, the personal terms weren't right. It didn't feel right for me and I thought that before I spoke to them, but when I spoke to Peterborough it did. The offer by Peterborough was obviously good for Crawley. It wasn't down to Steve Evans that it was accepted, it was down to the board. Steve was gutted to see me go." "Crawley have got a great squad and the gaffer is doing great things. He's a great manager. I have full belief Crawley will get promotion and might even win the league."