Following Cheltenham Town’s 2-0 loss to Swindon Town, manager Steve Cotterill reflected candidly on the performance and outcome of the match.
“It’s clear we were beaten by a better team tonight,” Cotterill admitted. “We didn’t play to the level we know we’re capable of, and we gave away a couple of soft goals. The first goal might have even involved an offside, but those defining moments in our box were costly.”
He pointed out missed opportunities as well: “Between the 60th and 75th minutes, we had three or four quality crosses into the box that could have resulted in easier finishes than the goals they scored. Defensively, we could have done better tonight.”
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Addressing concerns about conceding two set-piece goals, Cotterill said, “No matter where the goals come from, every goal is frustrating. Not every team has key players like Ollie Palmer or Ryan Tafazolli who can disrupt defensive setups, so marking them is always a tough task.”
Reflecting on the first half, Cotterill noted, “It was fairly even, and Luke Young created a good chance. When we changed things up, I thought we began to gain momentum and showed more courage, possibly because we were chasing the game. Sometimes making substitutions during a promising spell can disrupt flow, and when chances aren’t taken, it’s easy to second-guess those decisions.”
He went on to say, “The goals against us came against the run of play. We needed to convert one of those chances when behind, but it just didn’t happen. The squad has been performing well generally, but tonight they weren’t quite themselves. We still had more possession than a top-three team, which is something positive to take away.”
On testing the opposition’s goalkeeper more, Cotterill admitted his disappointment: “I would have liked their keeper to make ten saves tonight, but it’s not always how it plays out. The bottom line is, they are the better team with a stronger squad. We’re a fair way behind them at the moment. We did well in their stadium previously, but tonight, they were more prepared.”
Regarding squad rotation and player fatigue, Cotterill responded firmly to criticism about the timing of substitutions: “The starting team hasn’t done badly so far. If you believe some subs are better than the starters, we’d welcome that. It’s simple: the players who perform earn their place. If the substitutes had done enough before I arrived, they’d have started. You can’t always win on timing.”
Looking ahead to their next fixture at Crewe on New Year’s Day, Cotterill acknowledged the challenges: “The preparation time is limited, but we have to focus and get ready. The schedule demands it, so we adapt and move forward.”
He also highlighted the commitment of the fans: “Tonight’s crowd was the highest in League Two since January 2006, which shows the fantastic support. It’s motivating, even on tough nights.”
Reflecting on the wider context, Cotterill shared, “When I took over, many thought we’d be relegated. Instead, this team has competed and improved significantly. Tonight felt flat and disappointing, but if you’d offered me 10 points clear of the relegation zone going into 2026, I would have taken it.”
He concluded, “I always want to win and tonight is just a setback. We’ll regroup, get back on the training ground, and prepare strongly for Crewe.”