Cheltenham Town we're top of the League and can't wait for Plymouth Argyle test

We're top of the League and can't wait for Plymouth Argyle test,

We are top of the League and can't wait for our new-look team to face their toughest test so far.

Cheltenham Town boss Gary Johnson said he can't wait for his table-toppers to face Plymouth Argyle, even if the table he is referring to is just one game old and less than official.

After assembling a new-look team with some early dealing in the January transfer window, the Robins boss has also built a new League Two table.

He has challenged his team to be at the top of the pile in the second half of the season, knowing that a strong performance will see them climb out of the drop zone in the actual standings.

"We spoke about having a new table for the second half of the season and that's what I have done," Johnson said.

"We're top of the League at the moment, on goal difference after winning and scoring three in the first game of that new season, only Exeter matched us.

" Now we need to keep that going for as long as we can and be top of that new League for the rest of the season if we can.

"We need to stay in the top 10 of that come what may, to be sure that we keep out of relegation trouble."

The Robins boss knows the test provided by second-placed Plymouth will be up there with the toughest his side will face all season.

But he has been delighted with the way his new-look side have adapted to what has been asked of them so far and admits the visit of the Pilgrims will be a good gauge of his side's progress.

Derek Adams' side head to Whaddon Road on the back of a short 65 hour turnover following their FA Cup exploits against Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Two battling performances against the Premier League heavyweights saw Plymouth gain plenty of credit and Johnson believes those two games highlight what a powerful side they are.

"They were beaten in the play-off final last year and are right up there this year and in good form. They have good support and finances and we're hitting them at their peak," he said.

"That's good for us, as we're the underdogs – just like they were underdogs against Liverpool when they gave a really good account of themselves.

"We now have to do the same and if we can perform like we have being we can create problems for them.

"I want to make sure that we have a group that can compete and this is the biggest test, because they have players who will do well in League One if they get what they deserve.

"I am looking forward to seeing where we are on that scale. We did well down there earlier in the season and could have scored a winner late on, and then they scored even later in the game.

"There wasn't too much between us then, but they know that and know that we won't give them an easy game. We have to make sure we don't disappoint them.

"We've only played two or three games together so far as a team and it's a big test, a good test.

"It's one I am looking forward to, to see how we cope with it. It will be good to see us be solid, get some possession and create chances.

"We did that against Bradford, we created chances against them, probably enough to win the game if not force penalties and it will be good to see if we can keep that up."

From online media

What a cock he is!

It was a cow field - Bradford City boss blasts Cheltenham Town's problem pitch

Tuesday night's game was the 37th game played on the overworked pitch since the start of the season.
Cheltenham Town have played 23 games and Gloucester City 13. The Robins' youth team also played an FA Youth Cup game.

He said: "It was all about the determination of the players to give everything they had. We won't play on a worse pitch – it was a cow field.

"I felt first half we were bright but they caused us problems second half with the long throw and big boys. It was always going to be a physical encounter.

"There are a lot of tired bodies but it was a determined effort. The tackles were flying in and we stood up to it.

quotes from web

come on crewe who are playing doncaster today.

Very difficult today

Cheltenhan Town 2-0 Argo

Routine 2 nil win for the boys in green.

pitch is in a shocking state apparently

Johnson bizarrely makes sense, a strong finish could see them in the play offs.

You're as good as your last game is always a worthwhile truism. Where's Dixie Dean ? Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher ?
No one stays second from top for ever.

1 nil Bradley

crewe 1 doncaster 1

Wouldn't bet against Exeter going up this season - playoffs for certain, maybe even autos. What we could do with a striker like their Reuben Reid.

slew and jervis off

blissett ans czech guy on

change of formation 3 at the back 2 up front

Non-league no goals Nathan. Why should Argo tremble.

I hear Argo have a scout at Blackpool looking at that guy who has scored 6 or 7 this season including today. Miller? Mellon? Merrol? Got it now .... Mellor ... K Mellor!

Inevitable. Cheltenham should go on to get the winner now.

thankyou sonny bradley

There's only one Sonny Bradley la la la

Freathy wrote:

Inevitable.  Cheltenham should go on to get the winner now.

Wrong yet again

we won

we have a week and a bit till our next game away to Yeovil (31st) as the Blackpool game has been postponed due to there FA Cup 4th round game being held on saturday. So Del Bhey has lots of time to add 2-3 good additions to the squad before the window shuts as im sure he wont be making any on the 31st due to our game.

Angry wrote:

we won

we have a week and a bit till our next game away to Yeovil (31st) as the Blackpool game has been postponed due to there FA Cup 4th round game being held on saturday. So Del Bhey has lots of time to add 2-3 good additions to the squad before the window shuts as im sure he wont be making any on the 31st due to our game.

Best tell the reluctant bidder.

akagreengull wrote:

Angry wrote:

we won

we have a week and a bit till our next game away to Yeovil (31st) as the Blackpool game has been postponed due to there FA Cup 4th round game being held on saturday. So Del Bhey has lots of time to add 2-3 good additions to the squad before the window shuts as im sure he wont be making any on the 31st due to our game.

Best tell the reluctant bidder.

I looked into his eyes and i knew he was genuine when he bought this club

im sure loan signings (his and starnes preferred mode of signing players) will be what del bey will bring.

Lucky for Garita that Bradley spared his blushes.

9 points ahead of Pompey in 4th. That's the only stat that matters going forward, but our strikers general non-scoring could yet hurt us.