Western Daily Press (Saturday)
We’ve got something to build on – Mooney
KELSEY Mooney believes that Cheltenham Town’s recent unbeaten run has built up confidence ahead of today’s Sky Bet League Two clash at Notts County.
The Aston Villa loanee has found the net twice since joining on loan, in wins over Northampton Town and Arsenal Under-21s, and has started all four of the Robins games in the club’s unbeaten run.
The Gunners and Coventry have been beaten in the Checkatrade Trophy, while draws have been secured against Ebbsfleet in the FA Cup and Mansfield in the League.
“Over the last few games we’ve got something to build on,” he told the official club website. “We’ve gone unbeaten in our last few games and got a good few clean sheets and we’re looking forward to the weekend and looking to get something out of the game.
“We haven’t got three points in a while, but once we get that it’ll lift the camp massively and it’ll be something to build on.
“Over the last few games and from the outside I think you can tell that performances are better. We’ve found a shape that suits us and I think it is only a matter of time before everything clicks.”
Meanwhile, Forest Green Rovers manager Mark Cooper is hopeful that both Joseph Mills and Isaac Pearce will be available for today’s home match with Morecambe.
Mills was unavailable for last Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Oxford after injuring his back picking up his baby, while Pearce took a knock in the Trophy game against Arsenal.
But boss Cooper is expecting the pair to be available this afternoon.
“Millsy’s okay,” Cooper said. “He’s had stick from the boys, he must have a really big baby, but he’s okay.
“Isaac Pearce trained as well, so he’ll hopefully be available provided he has no reaction, so hopefully we’ll have seven subs on the bench.”
Cooper, however, confirmed that Liam Shephard and Lee Collins remain on the sidelines.
Injuries to Mills and Shephard have presented opportunities for more players to get minutes on the pitch, though, and the Rovers boss emphasised the importance of players taking their chance.
“It throws up opportunities,” Cooper added. “(Theo) Archibald was at left-back, (Carl) Winchester at right-back. It gave Tav Campbell the chance to play too, so it always throws opportunities and it shows you’ve got to be ready.”
Elsewhere, new Swindon manager Richie Wellens says that the club’s players should be “embarrassed” to be 17th in League Two.
The 38-year-old signed a deal as Robins boss until 2020 on Tuesday, replacing Phil Brown, who was sacked on Sunday.
Swindon finished ninth in the fourth tier last season.
“If they look themselves in the mirror, 17th for a squad of this talent and a club of this size, in League Two, is pretty embarrassing,” former Oldham boss Wellens told the BBC.
“I spoke to the players on Tuesday and I said some will be disappointed Phil has gone, while some will see it as another opportunity.
“We’ll give them confidence, and a stage to play, but it’s all down to the players. Go and excite the fans and excite me.
“At the moment, we’re not scoring enough goals.”