Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill expressed his disappointment following a 2-0 loss to Grimsby Town, emphasizing his belief that his team deserved more from the match. “We played well enough to win today,” Cotterill said, acknowledging the quality of Grimsby’s first goal as “an unbelievable strike.” However, he noted a defensive mix-up for the second goal but remained confident in his squad’s efforts.
Reflecting on the team’s response to conceding early, Cotterill pointed out that both goals came against the run of play. He praised his team for creating several good chances, including moments when penalties might have been awarded, highlighting that finishing needed improvement.
He identified a key moment as Robbie Cundy’s second-half chance, describing it as “good play” that symbolized the better performance Cheltenham demonstrated compared to previous matches, even with 11 men. Despite the loss, Cotterill believes his side was the better team on the day, and that the points lost will be made up.
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Cotterill also highlighted the debut of young midfielder Cole Deeming, applauding his composure and potential. “He did some really good things, and was unlucky with a shot that hit the post,” Cotterill noted, adding that Deeming’s physical qualities bode well for his adaptation to League Two’s demands.
Regarding the transfer window, Cotterill remained cautiously optimistic about potential signings in the final stages. He acknowledged the patience required and the challenges faced in completing deals nationwide but expressed confidence in the team’s evolution despite limited January activity.
When asked about positional needs, Cotterill declined to reveal specifics, emphasizing past experience with strategic discretion. Goalkeeping was not currently a priority given Joe Day’s solid performances, and recent additions like George Nurse and Cole Deeming have brought valuable balance and options to the squad.
Nurse delivered his best performance to date for Cheltenham, though Cotterill noted he still needs to adjust to a new role and improve his fitness. Player fitness remains a focus as the team prepares for upcoming fixtures and assesses squad availability.
Overall, Cotterill remains positive about the squad’s progress and is committed to addressing weaknesses while building on recent performances, hopeful that the upcoming days will see fruitful activity in the transfer market and continued development on the pitch.