Cheltenham Town v Fleetwood Town

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Jon Palmer
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Joined: 13 Feb 2010, 20:19
Team news, live updates and reaction all here this afternoon:

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/s ... n-10549234
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Ihearye
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Joined: 05 Jan 2018, 08:08
Are we playing any better?
asl
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Joined: 20 Nov 2009, 09:37
A poor game between two poor sides, I'm afraid.
asl
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The main difference is that I actually think we have some tactics - whether the players are capable of playing to them remains to be seen.

Pleased to see the subs working out at HT rather than randomly kicking the ball about with no clear objective.
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Shade
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Location: Cheltenhamshire
We've gone 45 mins without conceding and have had the best chance, so yes, we are playing better...but that didn't take much!

Definitely more organised and more effort, and less hacking the ball forward to somebody that will never win it in the air although it is still happening. A few of the players are still below the required level though, obviously. Hutchinson has had a poor second half of the half and Martin has barely been involved again. Cotts has been giving him a few instructions. Well, he's been guiding the whole team through it really.
asl
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Most good things that have happened, have come from AJB.
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Shade
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Based on today, I'd prefer Bickerstaff up front to Angol or Miller.
ctfc-fan
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2-0! Who’d have thunk it!
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Shade
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Stevenson has been fantastic, especially considering he won't have played a competitive game in at least 5 or 6 or months, and has probably trained twice with the squad at the most.
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Shade
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Martin motm is...interesting :lol:
HamTown
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Was thinking Hutchinson off the boil then a beautiful composed finish.

Archer was really good. Got 3, maybe more yellow cards against Fleetwood.

Broom came on to positive effect.

Fortuitous to keep a clean sheet.

Great scenes at the end, up the town. Lets hope this is the start of something.
SuperDaleWatkins
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Joined: 04 Aug 2017, 15:41
Anyone with anything negative to say - get in the BIN!!! Football is about days like today. The scenes at the end are what is all about. Long live Steve Cotterill - keep that level of support going and we'll be fine. UP THE ROBINS!!!!
CTFCfan99
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Joined: 03 Feb 2015, 00:13
Can't remember the last time I felt this good after a game. What a difference a week makes!
robinsrule
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Joined: 25 Nov 2010, 16:00
Great stuff, very happy this evening! Welcome back Stevie C 😁
paperboy
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Joined: 05 Jul 2011, 22:56
Looks like Block 1 stayed on to the end too.

Great atmosphere.
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Shade
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A great day. Optimism and positivity returned. Some hard days ahead still, no doubt, but we're looking up again.
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Shade
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Injury news: Miller's had an op and out for about 4 months, Maz in a boot for 4 weeks, Bennett I think he said 4-6 weeks after an op, Thomas back a month or so hopefully. Space for one more free agent.
triggo
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Joined: 05 Apr 2010, 16:07
First ten minutes we passed it around good.
Mostly to someone who was wearing red n white - which was a refreshing change from recent games.
Half way thru the half I thought we were losing our one on one battles all over the pitch.
Bickers wasnt holding the ball up. Hutchinson was playing poorly , ect ect
Overall though we looked much more tactically aware and even then kept them to marginal chances.
2nd half and we started like the first half. Played it around and in the end fully deserved the win.
New signing did well and I thought the sometimes maligned Broomy gave 110% for the cause when he came on.
Was that a tear in Stevies eye when he walked past the Colin Farmer.

Out of the relegation zone - Im getting nosebleed !!

The Messiah has truly returned !!! :D
asl
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Joined: 20 Nov 2009, 09:37
Shade wrote: 04 Oct 2025, 15:47 Martin motm is...interesting :lol:
Considering I thought he was quite poor in the first half, yes... I'd have chosen either Wilson or AJB.

Or Cotterill...
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Shade
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I'd have given it to Stevenson. He won the tackle that led to both goals and added a much needed composure to the midfield. Did not look like someone in his situation.
paperboy
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asl wrote: 04 Oct 2025, 17:13
Shade wrote: 04 Oct 2025, 15:47 Martin motm is...interesting :lol:
Considering I thought he was quite poor in the first half, yes... I'd have chosen either Wilson or AJB.

Or Cotterill...
Yes, I'll eat humble pie, thought we could have subbed Martin at half time moved AJB forward, and brought Power on.
Wilson M of M for me, makes a change from having to choose the least bad one.
Joe Day was very decent today too.
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duckers
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Location: Florida
We looked way more composed on the ball in the first half, kept it simple. We looked more organised defensively and didn’t concede any shots on target. Hutchinson had by far the best chance heading over.

2nd half we started quickly, whipping balls into the box. 2 wingers playing high and wide. Like old times. Stevenson won the ball for both goals, then quick forward passes with runners. 2 calm finishes.

Incredible scenes at the end. You can see how much it means to Cotts. How good is it to have him back!!! 🥹
PCrobin
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Joined: 05 May 2023, 10:56
Amazing transformation 2nd half. What happens when you try to play football! Was impressed by Broom’s effort when he came on and Taylor held the ball up well. Could be useful if he gets more minutes. Where did Luke Young come from, attacking from midfield 😳😉

Had tears in my eyes at the end when Cotts came over to the fans..
Garby74
Posts: 512
Joined: 09 Jan 2022, 07:43
Days like these why we love football.

I think the football gods were looking down on WR today.

Stevenson my MOTM.
Some great last ditch tackling.
2 really composed finishes.

And we got an Archer upgrade.

Not sure but I think I saw Day quick kick out....praise the lord.

Has SC finished his lap of honor.

Our Hero has well and truly returned. Bravo

👏 👏
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Horteng
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Location: Heart of the Forest, Glos
Fantastic win. Well done all

Onwards and upwards
Robin
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Much better today, comfortably the best performance of the season. Still plenty to work on but we looked like a side who knew their roles today and most of them did that. Shout out to Isaac Hutchinson who pulled the strings and special praise also to Jake Bickerstaff who struggled first half but was immense for twenty minutes 2nd half. Archer looked like his old self today too,

Only negative was Joe Day, didn't have much to do but his kick and distribution was very poor. New keeper a couple of strikers in January much needed.
Robin
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Shade wrote: 04 Oct 2025, 15:20 Based on today, I'd prefer Bickerstaff up front to Angol or Miller.
Ther performance in the 2nd half definitely not the first. Gave everything today fair play to the lad.
plymrob
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Joined: 11 Jul 2014, 14:03
Not seen him since his return but I think Broom is a player. I also think SC will get the best out of him.
HamTown
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Joined: 12 Dec 2020, 22:22
Robin wrote: 04 Oct 2025, 18:34 Much better today, comfortably the best performance of the season. Still plenty to work on but we looked like a side who knew their roles today and most of them did that. Shout out to Isaac Hutchinson who pulled the strings and special praise also to Jake Bickerstaff who struggled first half but was immense for twenty minutes 2nd half. Archer looked like his old self today too,

Only negative was Joe Day, didn't have much to do but his kick and distribution was very poor. New keeper a couple of strikers in January much needed.
Not sure how you can say Day didnt have much to do! Thought he was decent.

On the flipside Hutchinson was poor up to his goal, things just didnt see to be coming off for him.
Jerry St Clair
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Joined: 15 Aug 2011, 16:40
Stevenson MOTM, but almost nicked by Bickerstaff who was outstanding after the first goal. He was the out ball and he was holding it up superbly meaning Fleetwood couldn't build any momentum. Under Flynn the out ball usually came heading straight back.

We looked organised, disciplined and perish the thought, seemed to have a style of play. All the things that Oldham etc arrived at Whaddon Rd with over the past few months.

If SC can make that much difference after a few days training and half the team injured, imagine what he’ll do a few months in.
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Shade
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Joined: 27 Sep 2010, 13:02
Location: Cheltenhamshire
Garby74 wrote: 04 Oct 2025, 17:49 Days like these why we love football.

I think the football gods were looking down on WR today.

Stevenson my MOTM.
Some great last ditch tackling.
2 really composed finishes.

And we got an Archer upgrade.

Not sure but I think I saw Day quick kick out....praise the lord.

Has SC finished his lap of honor.

Our Hero has well and truly returned. Bravo

👏 👏
Two things - Archer was forward and not having to worry about defending quite as much, and Day did try a quick release, but sliced it miles away from where it should have gone!
CTFC.Harry
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Joined: 26 Oct 2018, 14:07
Location: The Shire
Stevenson excellent
Hutchinson and Bickerstaff both gave 100%. Importantly, not only did those two give it their all, everyone did. Lose the ball and each of them were straight on getting it back. Clearly they’ve been boosted.

One thing I noticed was how efficient the subs were at the end. Essentially a front 3 of Broom, Taylor and Kins. Broom came on and drove us forward, chased them down and tackled. Looked like his old self. Tom Taylor good hold up play, won a few fouls and chased them down. And lastly Kinsella just being a nuisance. interesting that the 3 of them essentially formed our front 3 for the last 5-10 minutes and they clearly did what was asked. Cotts engaged his brain, told his subs to perform a specific task, and they did it.

Fantastic today, and like others I felt emotional leaving today. Haven’t seen scenes like that, or felt like that watching Cheltenham for a long time. There was a connection between the us, the manage(especially) and players that has long been missing.
Benctfc
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Joined: 29 Dec 2011, 16:54
Location: Whaddon road
I thought we had a plan and executed it to perfection first half against the wind it was noticeable we tried to keep possession and play on the floor. We have seen all season there is no point lumping it long to a short striker. We got in at 0-0 then had the wind at our backs 2nd half and the slope. Also it was noticeable how better our defensive shape was out of possession.

Hutchinson was my player of the match again showing his quality in the final third. Shout outs to Stevenson who was brilliant on debut and Wilson who had his best match for us. Still think we need better depth at left back and up front and a couple more free agents would be lovely....
Si Robin
Posts: 6639
Joined: 20 Nov 2009, 10:29
HamTown wrote: 04 Oct 2025, 18:52
Robin wrote: 04 Oct 2025, 18:34 Much better today, comfortably the best performance of the season. Still plenty to work on but we looked like a side who knew their roles today and most of them did that. Shout out to Isaac Hutchinson who pulled the strings and special praise also to Jake Bickerstaff who struggled first half but was immense for twenty minutes 2nd half. Archer looked like his old self today too,

Only negative was Joe Day, didn't have much to do but his kick and distribution was very poor. New keeper a couple of strikers in January much needed.
Not sure how you can say Day didnt have much to do! Thought he was decent.
Agree, I thought he was really solid and his experience was crucial at the back. Held onto everything.

To be honest, I think I'm hard pushed to find a poor performance. Whilst I love Freddie Willcox, seeing a natural left-back playing at left-back made a difference. Sherring and Wilson were fantastic in the middle of the back four, and AJB looked back to his best.

Ethon Archer has, rightly, come in for a lot of criticism so far this season, but he was outstanding yesterday. He took an absolute battering but he kept going and he actually got to the by-line a couple of times to whip the ball in. Stevenson looked like he'd been in the team for months, not making his first start for the club after a few days training, and Young looked a lot better pushed forward rather than sitting deep.

Whilst they were quiet in the first half, it was noticeable that Hutchinson and Martin really stepped up their levels in the second half and, if they continue to play like that, then they'll cause a lot of defences a lot of problems.

I thought Bickerstaff worked his socks off in an unnatural role for himself, and he deserves a lot of credit for that. We really do need a big man up front to hold the ball up properly though, and I think Cotts is well aware of that judging by his interview.

What a day - best atmosphere at Whaddon Road in some time. Full credit to the 1887 lot for getting it going, but everyone sang a little bit at some point.
Robin
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Joined: 20 Nov 2009, 11:19
The only striker who is out there who could fit is probably Chris Martin released by Bristol Rovers. He doesn't have the legs to run but scores goals and can hold the ball up. Callum Morton and Lucas Aitkens two other potential options.
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