Cheltenham Town’s manager Steve Cotterill expressed his delight following a superb 2-0 victory away at Shrewsbury Town. He praised his team’s performance, emphasizing their resilience and tactical discipline despite a demanding schedule.
“It’s a very good and deserved win,” Cotterill said. “The lads were magnificent today. We’ve had a tough week with travel and less preparation time, but they were brilliant.”
Cotterill acknowledged the challenges posed by Shrewsbury’s compact defensive setup, noting the difficulty of breaking down ten men behind the ball. “You have to be patient and persistent,” he explained, highlighting how his defenders adjusted angles and defensive positioning to cut off Shrewsbury’s strikers and prevent counter-attacks.
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Goalkeeper Joe Day had little to do, a testament to the team’s collective defensive effort. “We defend from the front,” Cotterill said. “It wasn’t just the back four; it was the entire team. We worked hard to avoid risky plays that could lead to dangerous counters.”
The breakthrough came from Jordan Thomas with a powerful strike, followed by a well-timed header from Sam Sherring off a corner by Luke Young. Cotterill singled out Thomas for his hard work during a demanding week and praised Sherring’s growing confidence in front of goal.
The manager expressed satisfaction with maintaining a clean sheet but admitted that, given their attacking style, conceding goals is often part of their approach. “Now we look like a team that can score goals consistently,” he said.
Passing the 40-point mark is a crucial psychological milestone, Cotterill added. He also took a heartfelt moment after the match to thank both home and away supporters, especially remembering the Shrewsbury fans who showed him remarkable support during a challenging time in his life.
“Coming back here meant a lot to me,” Cotterill reflected. “The fans will always have a special place in my heart.”
With a tough run of fixtures ahead, mostly away from home, Cheltenham looks to build on this momentum. Cotterill’s simple goal for the final stretch of the season is clear: “I want to win all 10 games.”
Maintaining focus and pushing through adversity has become a hallmark of the squad, who have remained largely consistent throughout the campaign despite fluctuating fortunes. Cotterill remains pragmatic about the team’s standing in the league but believes they are moving in the right direction.
“We are not top of the table, but we’ve fought hard to lift ourselves away from danger,” he added. “Now we have to see the job through properly.”
With determination and fan support fueling their journey, Cheltenham Town aims to finish the season strong.