Baraclough: Massive belief that we can avoid relegation
ASSISTANT manager Ian Baraclough insists there is “massive belief” in the Cheltenham Town squad that they can stay in League One.
The former Northern Ireland boss joined Darrell Clarke’s backroom team after Adam Murray departed to become Eastbourne Borough’s manager, and, speaking after Saturday’s 1-0 win at Cambridge, he said: “We have good players in all areas, so we are competitive.
“Players don’t think that the position is theirs. For us, as a coaching staff, we have real decisions to make when it comes to game day and everyone is going to be needed because it’s a tough slog.
“You have seen the fixture backlog now and a couple of games have had to be rearranged as well, so it makes it a busy February and a busy April - but there is massive belief in the squad.”
Matty Taylor’s second goal in two games sealed the win as Clarke and Baraclough got the response they asked for after the disappointing 3-1 home loss to Wycombe Wanderers.
“Against Derby and Bolton we were excellent and should have come away with something,” said Baraclough. “We were a little bit off it last week so the perfect response to what could have been a tricky situation and a tricky game because Cambridge have been quite decent at home.”
Luke Southwood made three fine first-half saves before Taylor struck midway through the second half to secure the points.
“That’s when you want your keeper to stand up and make big saves and he’s done that,” said Baraclough. “It’s as much him with the winning goal as Tayls (Matty Taylor) because they are three big moments in the first half.
“I didn’t feel any trouble. In the middle of the park we tightened up, we won most of the second balls and we tried to play a little bit more.
“That’s where the goal from Taylor comes in and who do you want on the end of it other than him? On his left foot, it’s the only place he can put it, in that corner and he’s done it.
“That’s why we wanted to bring him in and it’s exactly why he is in the building. He’s a great lad and I think all the lads have worked so hard this week and they’ve got their just desserts from it.
“He has come in, settled really well, as all the new lads have.
“They’ve had to settle quickly and they have done. The two centre-halves, they’ve had moments where they could question themselves, but big moments they come out and defend well.
“Tom Pett had a super game and you need experienced heads in there. We have that down the spine of the team.
“Curtis Davies, done brilliant with two young lads either side of him. Tom Pett wins the ball, plays it simple and he can find a pass. (Liam) Kinsella has come in and he’s done that all his career as well. He rats around and wins the ball and Taylor down the middle.
“With young lads around them and it’s developing into a nice squad.
“It’s a big win and it’s a start. We talked about it being a big week, with nine points on offer.
“We go on Tuesday now, with three points in the bag. Many would have maybe looked at it and thought we wouldn’t get much from Cambridge. We now have to back that up.”
The gap was cut to five points with the win - but Baraclough said: “I’ve not looked at the league, I am not interested. Seriously. We look after ourselves. The manager has said seven or eight wins before the end of the season. Now it’s six or seven.”
Cambridge United: Stevens; L Bennett (Bonne 71), R Bennett (Rossi 71), Morrison, Andrew; Cousins, Digby (Thomas 71); Lankester (Brophy 71), Kachunga, Kaikai; Taylor. Subs not used: Mannion, May, Gibbons.
Cheltenham Town: Southwood; Smith (Bonds 73), Davies, Shepherd; Long, Pett, Kinsella, Sercombe (Harrop 90+4), Ferry; Lloyd, Taylor (Nuttall 78). Subs not used: Pardington, Keena, Thomas, Williams.
Referee: Ben Atkinson.
Attendance: 7,047 (207 away)