‘Mental toughness’ sees smiles return
Johnson delighted by resilience as Robins claim shootout triumph,
MANAGER Gary Johnson praised his players’ mental strength as Cheltenham Town reached tonight’s second round draw for the Carabao Cup with their first win of the season over Colchester United.
Ryan Broom put them in front after less than a minute and Conor Thomas’ 71st minute penalty made it 2-0.
A Colchester side including ex-robins midfielder Harry Pell hit back with two goals in as many minutes to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out which the Robins won 6-5.
“I am just pleased the lads have won a game,” he said. “That’s very important and I felt we won it twice.
“I was pleased with most of the game. Some of the boys are at least showing what they can do and some of them aren’t quite ready fitness wise as they didn’t come until late.
“There are a lot of things I was pleased with and the mental toughness after being 2-0 up and then having to go to penalties.”
He continued: “I thought most of our penalties were very good, all bar one and I am pleased for the boys that they can have a few days enjoying a win.”
“Some have been non-league, like Alex Addai, while Kalvin Kalala has never played at this level. I thought they were a threat all day, which I knew they would be.”
Here are five things we learned from the match
Gary Johnson needed that
The pressure remains on the Cheltenham Town manager, but the strain has been alleviated by a much-needed first victory of the season.
His team made it harder for themselves than it should have been, surrendering a commanding and deserved lead by conceding two quick goals as a disappointing Colchester United side forced penalties with substitute Sammie Szmodics (79) and Luke Norris (80) their scorers.
But after some recent problems from the spot, Cheltenham converted seven out of eight kicks on the night, including six in the shootout.
That takes some mental strength, which is what will have pleased Johnson the most.
Conor Thomas, Ben Tozer, Ryan Broom, Kalvin Kalala, Johnny Mullins and Jordon Forster were the six players to score in the shootout with Norris and Courtney Senior unsuccessful for Colchester.
Only Tom Smith missed the target for Cheltenham, firing over the bar, but he was quickly given some words of encouragement from Mullins, who continues to impress both at centrehalf and in as captain.
With five changes to the starting XI, Cheltenham looked a far more effective and organised team than they had in their opening pair of League Two matches, buoyed by Ryan Broom’s goal in the opening 60 seconds.
It was a shame there were not more there to see it, with only 1,047 home fans present.
Johnson has seen his team reach the second round of the Carabao Cup in each season since their return to the Football League in 2016.
After previous occasions to savour against Newcastle United and West Ham United, they will be hoping for another favourable draw, although there are no seedings this time around.
Jordon Forster’s return adds some nastiness
In came Forster, Thomas, Broom, Alex Addai and Kalvin Kalala, who were all among the substitutes for the 1-0 defeat by Tranmere Rovers
Aden Baldwin, Tozer, Liam Mcalinden and Kevin Dawson made way, while striker Manny Duku was ruled out after dislocating his shoulder at Prenton Park.
Forster was making his first appearance for nearly a year and only his seventh for the club, battling back from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in the 4-3 home defeat by Exeter City.
The Scotsman adds aggression along with a fearsome competitive streak and while he would rather be playing at centre-half, he is a solid enough standin at right-back with Sean Long facing several more weeks on the sidelines.
Forster has worked extremely hard over the past 12 months to regain fitness and while his match sharpness may not quite be there, he has moved ahead of Bristol City loanee Aden Baldwin in the pecking order for now.
Midfield transformation
Thomas’ inclusion in the middle of the pitch was perhaps the key change for Cheltenham.
Not only did he score both his penalties on his first competitive appearance, he showed quality and composure on the ball.
Based on this performance it is likely to be one of Nigel Atangana or Tozer alongside him against Carlisle United on Saturday.
Atangana and Tozer both have something to offer, but they have not performed well as a partnership yet and the more creative Thomas, who was once wanted by Liverpool, could complement either one of them.
Broom scored less than a minute into his full debut, giving him a noticeable lift in confidence which saw him demonstrate his attributes on the right wing.
The former Bristol Rovers youngster is another who will have done his
chances of a regular in the side place no harm at all.
On the other wing, Chelsea youngster Jacob Maddox gave another bright performance out of position and the more Cheltenham can involve him in their attacking play, the better.
He was brought down by goalkeeper Dillon Barnes in the 71st minute, allowing Thomas to make it 2-0 with a well taken penalty.
Cheltenham’s new-look attack shows promise
Addai and Kalala were paired together in attack and they showed individual flashes of brilliance.
Kalala, one of the most unpredictable players seen in a Cheltenham shirt, is hard to shake off the ball and can weave past defenders.
He is not yet fit enough and is need of some intensive work on the training pitch, but there is definitely some talent there
Addai, who has stepped up four levels from Merstham FC, is all about explosive pace.
He was given a rousing reception after being substituted in the second half, with Cheltenham looked far more of a threat going forward.
The front end of the team is almost certain to be strengthened before the end of the month, but it will have been a major relief for Johnson to see his team asking questions of a defence from the first whistle.
A genuine step forward or papering over cracks?
A penalty shootout triumph is one of the best ways to give the players a lift in belief and supporters will have exited the ground feeling more hopeful.
But it is imperative that Cheltenham pick up their first points of the season against Carlisle, who were thrashed 5-1 at home by Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday.
The Cumbrians have picked up one point and Tuesday’s events will be quickly forgotten if Cheltenham suffer a third successive League Two defeat.
Cheltenham Town: S Flinders; J Forster, J Mullins, W Boyle, J Debayo; R Broom, N Atangana (B Tozer 80), C Thomas, J Maddox (T Smith 73); A Addai (G Lloyd 76), K Kalala. Subs not used: K Dawson, L Mcalinden, A Baldwin, R Lovett.
Colchester United: D Barnes; R Jackson, F Kent, T Eastman, B Dickenson; C Senior, H Pell, B Comley, A Collins (S Szmodics 67); L Norris, M Mandron (F Nouble 67). Subs not used: L Prosser, A Barnes, D Wright, R Gondoh, B Vose.
Referee: C Sarginson
Attendance: 1,179 (132 away)