We have to fight tooth and nail, insists Duff

CHELTENHAM Town boss Michael Duff admits his side will encounter some tough periods this season – but insists the Robins “will fight tooth and nail” in matches like today’s at home to Rotherham, as well as the games against the likes of Wigan and Sunderland.

The Robins have had a difficult time in the past week or so, losing 4-1 at Preston in the EFL Cup prior to successive League One defeats to the top two – 2-0 against the Latics and 5-0 at the Black Cats.

Ahead of today’s clash with the Millers, Duff, left, admitted: “We are going to go on runs. We’ve lost two in a row for the first time since December.

“There will always be some outside noise, people making mountains out of molehills, positive and negative.

“When you beat Ipswich you are the best team in the world.

“We know what we are so, yes, you want your players to stand up and compete better than Tuesday night (against Sunderland), but we will go on runs this season.

“Success for us is different against the teams we are playing at the minute, ultimately.

“We can’t judge our performances and results on theirs either. We have to fight tooth and nail to try to stay in this league, because of the level of quality we are coming up against.”

Rotherham are fifth in the table, with Cheltenham now 16th.

Forest Green Rovers head coach Rob Edwards expects Carlisle to be determined to respond to last week’s heavy defeat at Sutton when they take on the table-toppers at Brunton Park this afternoon.

The Green Devils lead League Two by four points despite being held to a goalless draw by Tranmere last time out, but the Cumbrians were beaten 4-0 by Sutton last Saturday.

Edwards said of Carlisle: “They’ve performed strongly at home, and they’ll be confident going into the game. But they’ll be disappointed with the result last week and they’ll be looking to bounce back, much like Stevenage did after our good result a couple of weeks ago.”