DUFF DELIGHTED WITH COMEBACK
Raglan’s winner seals crucial win over relegation rivals Macclesfield,
IT wasn’t good for his blood presuure but Michael Duff hailed an important three points for Cheltenham Town after their 3-2 win over Macclesfield.
His side trailed 2-0 to a Michael Rose penalty and a Scott Wilson chip after two errors by goalkeeper Scott Flinders.
But with Macclesfield down to 10 men after Nathan Cameron was sent off, Luke Varney, Jacob Maddox and Charlie Raglan scored second-half goals to turn to game around.
“I could do without those games, to be honest,” said Duff. “But it’s a win.
“We can’t start games like that, we’ve gifted them two goals, after that we were good.
“Their goalkeeper had an absolute ‘worldy’ and we’ve scored three goals.”
Duff was delighted with the reaction of his players after the first-half setbacks.
“It looked like it was going to be one of those days,” he said.
“The sending off affected them, but even after that we’ve given them another goal.
“We can’t legislate for mistakes like that, but we kept going, made a change at half-time and then kept going, with people coming off the bench and affecting it.
“We just need to tune in and start turning up for 90 minutes, that is apparent.
“We can’t start halves like we are at the moment. I don’t know what it is, but it’s up to me and the staff to try and find out why.”
But Duff was not pleased with some of his team’s defending as they let two goals in - meaning they have only kept four clean sheets this season, the lowest in the division.
He said: “I am pleased with the result and aspects of the performance, but we are shipping too many goals.
“Defensively we’ve not been good enough as a team.
“That’s not a slant on any individuals and we are open at times because of the way we want to play, but we need to tune in a little bit more.
“Two clean sheets in 21 games and one of those was in my first game.
“It’s a difficult one and a fine balance because we changed the shape because we didn’t look a threat with the ball.
“Something had to give so we could have more of the ball and create more chances, but on the flip side we are conceding, so it’s not a case of winning 1-0 every week, but it is something we need to address.”
Duff felt the referee Anthiny Backhouse was right to award Macclesfield’s penalty against Flinders, and also to send off Cameron for the foul on Jacob Maddox.
“It was a stone wall penalty and Scott (Flinders) has made a poor decision, no argument with that,” he said.
“He summed up his 20 minutes because the penalty hit the post and went in off him and then he gifted them another one.
“But he’s saved us plenty of times, particularly in the early part of the season.
“The Macclesfield away game he was the hero, keeping it down to one.
“So that’s what it’s about, it’s a team game and his mates have dug him out of a hole, which is pleasing.”
Duff was full of praise for Varney, who has eight goals in 16 starts for Cheltenham after his goal started the fightback.
Duff said: “Luke has been brilliant for us since he’s come in.
“People don’t see is how he is behind the scenes.
“He digs people out when they need it and he’s the ultimate professional.
“He is a big kid. He drives in from Loughborough every day and he’s one of the first in.
“Sometimes you see young lads who
almost seem to hate football, but he’s the opposite. He lives and breathes the game.”
Maddox hit the equaliser and Duff revealed the on-loan Chelsea midfielder won a bet with him.
“I had a bet with him on Friday, so it’s going to cost me a tenner,” said Duff.
“I thought he was outstanding. He looked to get on the ball, play forward and he didn’t just play in the pocket, he ran forward and ran in the box.
“We have worked quite hard on him for the last couple of weeks.”
The winner came from Oxford loanee Raglan, his first for the coub in his second appearance.
“Charlie is an out and out defender, who can pass the ball,” said Duff.
“For his goal, I am not sure where he’s taken off from, but he’s towered over two or three and was always going to win it.“
With crucial home games to come against fellow basement battlers Cambridge on Saturday and Yeovil next Tuesday, Duff hailed a significant three points.
He said: “The crowd were brilliant because they could have gone at 2-0 and there were a few boos at half-time, but they could see the intent from the players.
“It was horrible to watch to be honest but suppose that’s why you do it.
“It’s like a drug and you are mental at times and they do drive you mad sometimes, the players.
“But then you love them again. I am pleased for everyone, the supporters and the players because they’ve been top class.”