Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill praised his team’s unwavering commitment following a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Barnet. Acknowledging the numerous challenges they faced, including injuries and tactical adjustments, Cotterill described this as possibly the most dedicated 90-minute effort from his players all season.
“We knew it was going to be tough, and we faced obstacle after obstacle,” Cotterill said. “But the boys were determined to keep a clean sheet, and their commitment was first class.” He emphasized that Barnet is a challenging place to play, demanding relentless effort and discipline, qualities his team showed in abundance.
The match saw Cotterill experiment with a three-at-the-back formation, a strategy he is reluctant to use frequently. “It didn’t look like us in the first half,” he admitted, citing the difficulty in applying pressure and maintaining possession with this setup. However, returning to their usual system at halftime improved their control and created better opportunities.
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Defensively, Cheltenham stood strong, with goalkeeper Joe Day making some crucial saves despite limited work. Cotterill highlighted the resilience of his squad, especially given the absences and illnesses leading up to the game. Young players Harry Ashfield and Cole Deeming experienced their baptism of fire but contributed valuable minutes, indicating their growing importance to the team.
Injury concerns linger, particularly regarding Ben Stevenson, who suffered a knee knock, with further assessment needed. Meanwhile, Cotterill shared positive news about Ryan Broom, who recently welcomed a baby and is making his return to training. “He’s about to find out he’s not the most important person in the household now,” Cotterill joked, congratulating Broom and his family.
Overall, the Cheltenham boss expressed pride in the team’s gritty performance after a disappointing loss against Accrington. “This was a committed performance, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need on the road to earn valuable points,” he concluded.