The English opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.
"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.
However, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Prior to this match, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.
This means, the home team require four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.
A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.
This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
Although the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
