Cheltenham Town boss Steve Cotterill expressed his disbelief following a 5-2 defeat to Notts County, emphasizing that the scoreline did not reflect the true nature of the game. “In the first half, I thought we were the better team,” Cotterill said, lamenting the sloppy goals his side conceded.
The absence of key midfielder Ben Stevenson, sidelined with a groin injury, was sorely felt. “I’m pretty sure Ben would have snuffed out a couple of those chances,” Cotterill explained. He also questioned the legitimacy of a red card shown to his team, stating, “I haven’t fully reviewed it yet, but from what I hear, it’s not a red card. Committing to that decision just gives the referee more opportunities, which is something you want to avoid, especially away from home.”
Despite the defeat, Cotterill praised the effort of his players, highlighting memorable moments like Isaac Hutchinson’s fine opening goal and acknowledging Cheltenham’s spirited performance. “We had two good goals and played well, but the game felt like one too many in a tough run of fixtures,” he noted, referencing a series of challenging away matches.
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The red card proved costly, with Cotterill lamenting the extended period his team had to play with ten men. “The last 16 minutes felt long for us down a player,” he said. With fatigue setting in, the second half saw crucial moments slip away. “The second and third goals were moments where we fell short, and it looked like the schedule caught up with us.”
Looking ahead to the next match, Cotterill was uncertain how the 13-day break will impact the team’s preparation given the cancellation of their upcoming fixture against Tranmere. He remains hopeful that Mo Faal might be ready to return in time and expressed cautious optimism about Stevenson’s recovery.
Reflecting on the season so far, Cotterill praised his squad’s resilience amid numerous challenges including player turnover and intense schedules. “Sometimes you don’t fully appreciate a player until they’re missing. Ben has been vital, and there’s no perfect replacement for him yet,” he said.
Ultimately, Cotterill insisted the team’s battling spirit remained intact despite the heavy defeat. “This is not a 5-2 game. We played like winners today, trying to impose ourselves rather than sit back. Sometimes the clock runs out and the legs give way, but the effort was there.”
Looking back at his managerial record compared to his time at Notts County, Cotterill remains proud of the progress made. “Notts was a special club for me, and today was tough because we didn’t deserve that scoreline. But our hard work and honesty haven’t gone unnoticed.”