Steve Cotterill: Cheltenham's Defeat at Swindon…

Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill criticized Swindon Town's soft goals and questioned his team's confidence after a 2-1 defeat. He praised defensive composure but highlighted Jordan Shipley's lack of confidence and squad depth challenges.

Soft Goals and Tactical Concerns

Cotterill admitted Swindon Town capitalized on two soft goals, including a throw-in mishap and a defensive switch-off. Despite Cheltenham's dominance, he argued the team deserved a better result. 'We were the better team all-round,' he said, though conceded penalties might have swung the game.

Confidence Issues with Jordan Shipley

The manager acknowledged Jordan Shipley's recent confidence struggles, noting his inconsistent play over 18 months. Cotterill referenced coaching advice from Don Howe to reignite Shipley's touch and composure. 'He looks short of confidence,' Cotterill said, adding Shipley remains a 'deep kid' with untapped potential.

Squad Depth and Transfer Targets

Cotterill emphasized the impact of missing key players like Shaun McWilliams, George Miller, and James Wilson. He praised Freddy Willcox's loan return and hinted at potential transfer targets for a defender and midfielder, though timelines remain unclear. 'We have to make sure performances stay good,' he insisted.