Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill praised his team’s unwavering commitment following their hard-fought 0-0 draw against Barnet. Acknowledging the tough challenges both before and during the game, Cotterill described the 90-minute effort as arguably the players’ most determined performance this season.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game and had obstacle after obstacle to deal with," Cotterill said. “Our goal was to keep a clean sheet, and the commitment from the boys today was first class. Barnet is a tough place to play, with lots of thankless running, especially during the first half when the play was switched frequently.”
Cotterill reflected on the tactical adjustments, explaining his decision to experiment with a three-at-the-back formation. “I’ve tried it a couple of times now, but I’m not sure it’s something we’ll use much moving forward. It needs quick switching of play from a back five, which we struggled with today. At half-time, we reverted to our normal setup, which helped us gain more possession and pressure.”
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Despite the challenges, Cheltenham’s defense was resolute. “Joe Day had little to do but made some important saves. The team defended well under tough circumstances, especially considering the illnesses that hit us this week," Cotterill remarked.
The manager also shared concerns about Ben Stevenson’s injury, which happened during the game. “It was a bad knock to his knee, but we’ll have to wait and see the exact extent.”
Cotterill praised young players Harry Ashfield and Cole Deeming for their efforts in what he called their “baptism of fire” after facing strong opposition in consecutive games. “They worked hard and are valuable parts of our squad moving forward.”
Reflecting on key moments, the boss highlighted the attacking chances created by Isaac Hutchinson and Jordan Thomas but noted missed opportunities to score. “It was a good point to gain in a tough away fixture.”
Cotterill was glad to see the team’s commitment bounce back after a disappointing performance against Accrington. “Today’s display showed the qualities we expect, especially in terms of determination.”
He also acknowledged the return of Sam Sherring, who impressed in a midfield role after a long absence. “Sam has been out almost four months and is a vital player for us.”
In positive off-field news, Cotterill congratulated Ryan Broom and his wife on the arrival of their first child. Although Broom missed the game to support his family, the manager is hopeful he’ll be back in training soon. “It’s a big change in life for him, and we wish him all the best.”
Looking ahead, Cotterill hopes to see Broom back in action by the next match at Bromley. “Let’s see how he is on Monday.”