Gary Liddle on the Cheltenham game
We spoke to defender Gary Liddle shortly after full time on Tuesday following the away defeat at Cheltenham.“We’re disappointed,” he said. “We’d seen the game out for as long as possible then we got done by the sucker punch at the end.
“We knew what to expect on a really difficult pitch but it was the same for both teams. They play on it every second week, which does mean they have an inkling of what it’s going to be like. We were prepared for it and we changed our game plan to combat it.
“We didn’t quite create the chances we wanted to and they put us under a bit of pressure. They missed some good chances themselves.
“We knew they’d be fighting for their lives and that they wouldn’t make it easy for us. They fought for every ball and that’s exactly what we expected. The sucker punch at the end makes it heart-breaking for us.
“I think the cross took a nick off Macca [Macaulay Gillesphey] on the way in, which meant it found it’s way to the back post, and the lad just put everything into it. He fell into the net himself so they’ll be overjoyed with that."
Speaking about his role on the right hand side of a back three, he said: “I don’t mind where I play. We played a back three tonight and I’m comfortable as a centre back.
"Wherever I’m asked to play, I’m happy - I’ve played one half in midfield this season as well, so I'll do whatever I’m asked to do."
“It wasn’t a game for the neutral but we had a fantastic following as always. For them to come all the way down here on a Tuesday night, the least we could do was go over there and clap them home. We’re just disappointed we couldn’t send them away with three points."
Ahead of the game against second placed Plymouth on Saturday, he said: “It’s a big game, we’ve got a really good chance to close the gap, and we’ll certainly be looking for a reaction.
“We can’t hide away from the fact we’ve lost our last two games so it’s a challenge now. It’s one we need to take head on. Saturday is a big game and one we’re all looking forward to."
"We’re staying down from tonight until we go to Plymouth, so preparation is going to be key," he commented. "There won’t be any travelling involved so we’ve got plenty of time to get the work in for Saturday.
“There will be a lot of swings and roundabouts during the rest of the season. Other teams will have little blips and I think Plymouth are having a little winless run themselves.
"Teams will win a few and teams will lose a few, as we have in the last couple of games, and it's down to how you react. That is what will determine whether you’re at the top end of the table come the end of the season or not."
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