The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
But, following the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "weak men" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The England squad afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.
Prior to this match, he said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.
Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead after three matches played.
A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.
The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus Australia.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
