Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill provided a candid assessment following their 2-1 defeat to Oldham Athletic. Reflecting on the match, Cotterill explained, “We started the game slowly and finished it strongly. That was pretty much the story. Nothing happened today that we didn’t expect or hadn’t prepared for all week. Our preparation was good, but we faltered at some crucial moments, and unfortunately, those lapses allowed the ball to end up in our net, putting us on the back foot.”
Despite the loss, Cotterill remained confident in his team’s progress. “We are a miles better team now compared to a few months ago. We deserved to get something from the game; there is no way we deserved to lose. We controlled the game after the 70th minute, but we must improve in those key moments where we slipped up.”
He pinpointed the goal just before halftime as a turning point, describing it as a result of a “sloppy corner” that could have been defended better. “Moments like those are where we need to be sharper,” he emphasized. Cotterill also praised Oldham’s goalkeeper, who made several crucial saves, saying, “We could have scored five in the second half, but their keeper made some fantastic stops.”
READ MORE: Winning Lotto Numbers Tonight: Full National Lottery Results with Thunderball - Saturday, January 17, 2026
READ MORE: Psychiatrist Reveals 3 Key Early Warning Signs of Depression Ahead of Blue Monday 2026
Cotterill highlighted individual performances, particularly praising Jake Bickerstaff, who impressively adapted to multiple attacking roles during the match. “Jake was one of our better players today. George Miller was also a standout, especially in the first half despite carrying a calf injury. He was a real threat and held his own against tough defenders.”
While acknowledging the challenges faced by other players adapting to different roles and the physical demands of away matches, Cotterill remained optimistic about the squad’s evolution. “This feels like a new Cheltenham Town team. We’ve had a lot of changes recently and will continue working hard through the month. There may be a few departures, but these decisions are about the players’ futures.”
On the transfer front, Cotterill noted the club’s limited options: “We’re down to one loan player who is currently injured, so that’s tight. We are unlikely to pay transfer fees and are focusing mostly on the loan market.”
Regarding injury updates, Cotterill offered a cautious outlook on Ryan Broom’s recovery, describing it as slow due to the injury’s nature, and explained the careful management of Hakeeb Adelakun’s fitness. However, he expressed encouragement about George Miller’s contributions, saying, “If George can perform like that regularly, I’ll take him being not fully fit.”
Finally, Cotterill acknowledged the delicate balance of letting players go while waiting for reinforcements. “We have to be fair to the players who have families and livelihoods. I promised them honesty. It’s a busy time, but we’ll do what’s right for the club and the players.”
Cheltenham may have lost the match, but Cotterill’s message was clear: progress is evident, and the focus remains on improving at crucial moments to convert performances into points.