Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill gave an honest assessment following their 2-0 home defeat to Swindon Town, admitting his side was outplayed by a stronger opponent.
“We were probably beaten by the better team tonight,” Cotterill said. “We didn’t perform as well as we know we can and gave away a couple of soft goals. The second one was definitely preventable, and the first might have been offside. Moments like those in the box make a big difference.”
The two goals came from set pieces, something Cotterill found particularly frustrating. “No matter where the goals come from, every goal is disappointing. Not every team has players like Ollie Palmer or Ryan Tafazolli who cause havoc, so marking those threats is easier said than done.”
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Despite a competitive first half and a strong run of play after coming from behind, Cheltenham couldn’t capitalize on their chances. “We had around three or four good crosses into the box between the 60th and 75th minutes. Those should have been easier finishes than the ones Swindon scored. We didn’t defend well enough in our box,” Cotterill explained.
The boss also addressed the issue of substitutions and squad depth. “The team I pick hasn’t done badly so far. If there were better options on the bench, they’d be starting. I’m not sure what else you want me to do regarding substitutions. The players going on will keep giving their all.”
Looking ahead to their upcoming match against Crewe on New Year’s Day, Cotterill acknowledges the challenges of preparation amid a packed schedule. “It doesn’t matter how difficult the preparation is—we have to be ready. We’ll train, regroup, and get ready to fight again.”
Acknowledging the strong support from fans, who turned out in their highest numbers since 2006, Cotterill expressed mixed feelings. “I’m always trying to turn this team around. We’ve improved from being bottom of the league to competing. Tonight was just a flat, disappointing night.”
Asked if he would have accepted their current standing before the season started, Cotterill replied, “Yes, probably. But right now, I feel flat. We must recover and prepare to bounce back.”