Match Thread Away V Cheltenham Saturday 20th February @ 3.00pm

3 wins in 4 since they lost to Manchester City. 10 points.

A nice run of 4 games after Cheltenham, with 3 at home.

Whilst not under playing our credentials, keep Alfie May quiet.

 

Matty Blair's a good player, too.

What's massive about Cheltenham's form is, prior to the Man City cup tie is they didn't win a single game out of the 7 prior league games. It would be easy to add 1 + 1 together and say that's the distraction of the cup, ala our promotion season out of League Two back in the day, but actually only two of those games were played with knowledge of the City game. Both draws.

Since that game, they seem to have come to life with three wins from four - but against sides I personally don't rate.

The issue for us is Cheltenham feel like the team MOST similar to Exeter - and we weren't good in that game. However, for me, we didn't have a 'real' forward in that game. I like Vernam, he even scored in that game, but I like him better in the position he occupied against Morecambe.

If Rowe is back, I'd say we're going to get a draw down there. If Cook remains up front, slightly less optimistic, but certainly doable.

I honestly think having a good centre forward will correct the long ball issue (we'll play it less, because we're less desperate and concerned about the ball coming back at us, but when we do play it we've a chance), and it will help out the defence as we'll be competing in a top-to-bottom fashion.

If we're really lucky, we might stun 'em like we stunned Tranmere.

 

I think we were unlucky in our home game with Cheltenham it was one of our better performances under Stuart. Difficult game without doubt but that applies to both sides

 

I think Cheltenham will be more worried about us than we are of them.

 

I agree actually, games against the top half are free hits for us now. Realistically our goal is 16 more points in 20 games even then we might not need that to stay up. Cheltenham probably need double that or more to achieve their goal. Let’s go and play with no fear in every game and see where we end up because realistically it shouldn’t be bottom two.

 

It’s been 2 to 3 years since I could say roll on Saturday, simply can’t come quickly enough.

 

Another big test for the squad and T&S we're going well both home and away and only the one defeat under their tenure.

 

I believe heavy rain forecast in the South West on Friday and Saturday. Let's hope not too bad in Cheltenham to threaten another postponement

 

I heard an interview with Mark Trueman this week where he said there were some 'issues' prior to the Exeter match that meant the team weren't as fully prepared for that game as they could be.

 

What's the COVID protocol situation there? Is it a case of if you have any symptoms you isolate pending test results? If so, possibly a case of having a few players isolate pending a test result.

 

Yep - that's how I understand it. If you show any of the underlying symptoms you have to isolate. That's why Rowe didn't travel to Exeter. His test came back the same day as the game, but of course it was too late to travel.

 

As long as we apply ourselves then we are capable of getting a result anywhere.
I would look to bring O Donnell back in and maybe Rowe for Cooke.
Cooke has been quality but nothing wrong with a little rotation to keep the squad fresh.
Apart from that same as Tuesday.

 

Wouldn't leave Cooke out, he's buzzing. Even though him and Evans haven't haven't scored many, the front 4 on Tuesday looks to have more goals than the 2 we scored.

 

I think Andy Cook will make way for Danny Rowe in the starting lineup. I don't think Callum Cooke will be rested - he's on fire at the moment.

O'Donnell is a good shot stopper except, bizarrely, from distance. But his distribution is woeful - he's forever coughing up possession with sliced kicks into touch or mis-hit clearances that barely reach the half way line. Hornby gets the ball out quicker to our defenders and his kicking is more accurate. Given our current preference for playing from the back and retaining possession, rather than hoofing it, Hornby look much the better fit to me. He is also more secure under the high ball. The freak goal that went over his head on Tuesday would have fooled most keepers.

 

Don't get the clamouring to bring ROD back.
Woeful captain, woeful organiser, woeful long shot stopper.
Very good at blaming others for his errors though.

 

If we're talking safety only I think we need 19 points, given the congested nature of L2. I know two are a bit adrift but Stevenage have got points recently and others might. Hopefully we are really looking up not down.
As to this Saturday, I fear we may face another postponement, the weather is poor and forecast to rain constantly right through to early next week. Having seen how bad their pitch can get it isn't going to favour our passing game at all unless the forecast is wrong. We got bogged down at Southend and Exeter and although I appreciate our fixture chaos I would rather play on a decent surface than the bog I fear it may be.

 

On the other hand, Cheltenham are a passing team too, aren't they? So a boggy pitch won't suit them either.

 

Exeter didn't get bogged down. I've seen far worse pitches at this level. Our own pitch on Tuesday night was sodden and it wasn't a problem. This is league 2 - we're not going to play on bowling greens every week.