The Opposition View - Cheltenham Town

Following Boxing Day`s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Cheltenham Town, here are the thoughts on the game from Robins' manager Mark Yates, Blues boss Gareth Ainsworth and a few of their supporters.


Yates said: "It was a case of the boys putting right what was very evidently wrong on Friday night (at Rochdale). We've had a tough couple of days since then but the boys have responded in the right way, as I knew they would. As bad as we were on Friday, we were good here."

"We showed grit and determination and what it takes to win matches. On Friday we looked like we thought we just could turn up and win matches."

"We gifted Rochdale chances and didn't heed the warnings, carrying on in the same lethargic manner. But against Wycombe we showed aggression, tempo and more pressing in the opening two minutes than we did in 95 minutes at Rochdale."

"That's pleasing and when we play on the front foot and like we did here we look a half decent side. As long as we perform with same energy and purpose, we'll be fine."


His opposite number was phlegmatic in defeat. Ainsworth said: "It was a disappointing day, we`ve done really well lately and we can't win every game. It's brought us back to down to earth and Cheltenham played very well."

"We had three second-year apprentices on the pitch at the end. I am still buzzing about the way we are, the way we do things and I am still confident that we can go to Plymouth on Saturday and give them a game, that's the way we are. There will be nobody down and there is plenty of passion in the dressing room."

"It`s put us right back on our feet and down to earth. It was a fair result and we`ll take it on the chin. I gave the fans the chin up sign as we went off. We have to take it together and hopefully we`ll take a win that`s just round the corner together as well."

"I`m still buzzing about the way we are and the way we do things. There`s passion in that dressing room. We believe we can win every game, instead of three months ago where we were accepting we`ve lost another one."

"People are passionate and are throwing their boots down. It`s really good to see - it means they all really want to win."


The Cheltenham Town fans were understandably delighted by their side's performance but weren`t impressed with the showing from their visitors.

The following extracts are taken from the Robins Nest forum and Twitter.

SteveBurnsTV wrote
"Fantastic performance and very entertaining game. Wish Darren Carter`s volley would have went in! Well done lads. Proud."

R_Payney wrote
"Everyone gets a 10/10 from me. Flawless performance!"

Admin wrote
"Fantastic game and result. My one and only gripe is why did it take ten minutes to get settled at the start?"

Trickster wrote
"Great performance throughout, got to be honest when he started with Darryl Duffy and Jeff Goulding up front I wasn`t sure but it worked a treat, everyone played well even the subs when they came on they wanted to get involve straightaway, Wycombe must have wondered what hit them."

Asl wrote
"Was that really the same Gareth Ainsworth who has torn us apart in the past? Jermaine McGlashan caused no end of problems and scored a shocking tap-in for any defence to conceed at any level from the Dog 'n' Duck 2nd Sunday XI, upwards."

Shade wrote
"Just read Wycombe had one shot on target - in the 88th minute."

Robin wrote
"Really disappointing crowd in my view. I was hoping it would be pushing 4500 but even Wycombe brought a lot more than they normally do. Just not sure how the club can win the old fans back now, tough times."

Cinderford robin wrote
"Nice to see Ainsworth say when you look at their bench and they have the likes of Kaid Mohammed and Chris Zebroski, that's strength. He also said we are the best team to play them this season."

Shade wrote
"Ainsworth is a cheating bugger when the ball's at his feet, but a fair man when he talks. He was having a word with someone at the front of the In2print stand today just after he told his team to let us take the throw-in uncontested and we ballsed it up. Anyone know what he said? I know he was getting some abuse for diving."

wnorbmas wrote
"Respect to Wycombe fans for supporting an awful team but how can you sit there chanting 'Chairboys barmy army` and take yourself seriously?"

BSCurtisUK wrote
"Have to say the Wycombe Wanderers fans were on top form today. The team played their hearts out. The cheer 'We want One` - respect."


Next: Plymouth Argyle v Wycombe Wanderers - Home Park
Saturday 29th December 2012 - Kick off 3pm

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.