UPDATE: Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill expressed deep frustration following his team’s 2-0 defeat to Colchester United earlier today. The loss marks another disappointing performance as Cotterill emphasizes the urgent need for improvement.
In a candid post-match interview, Cotterill stated, “It’s a tough gig, but I am all in and full on.” The team’s poor start has been a recurring theme, and Cotterill made it clear that waiting for a setback is not an option. “We didn’t need to wait until we get a punch on the nose before we can come out and play,” he remarked.
Despite having more possession and equal efforts on goal, Cheltenham struggled to convert opportunities into results. Cotterill highlighted the importance of converting chances, referencing a key moment when Isaac Hutchinson‘s effort was cleared off the line after a penalty save, a potential turning point in the match.
Regarding the goals conceded, Cotterill expressed disappointment, particularly with the first, which he believed could have been offside. “One of their guys has come to me after the game and said it is offside,” he noted. “The second goal, we could get a block on that.” He emphasized the need for defensive improvements, stating, “We need to have more devilment in us in the final third.”
The manager also addressed the injury concerns following Sam Sherring‘s hamstring issue, which he described as problematic for the team’s dynamics. “It definitely didn’t help us losing Sam Sherring,” Cotterill said. He remains hopeful for the return of players like Scot Bennett and Arkell Jude-Boyd, but stressed caution in their recovery.
Cotterill acknowledged that while there were glimpses of quality in their play, they must sustain performance over the full match. “Whenever we did some of the things we’ve worked on in the week… we looked really good, in patches,” he remarked. However, he expressed disappointment in the team’s overall execution.
With the team facing a long journey home, Cotterill thanked the fans for their support and vowed to improve their away performance. “We need to start putting a marker down away from home,” he stated, as he looks to galvanize his squad for upcoming matches.
As Cheltenham Town faces criticism for their performance, all eyes will be on Cotterill and his team to respond effectively in their next fixture. The call for improvement is loud and clear as they look to regain their footing in the league.
