“We’re going to need everyone” was the key remark made by Cheltenham Town captain Sean Long after speaking to the press yesterday ahead of their relegation six-pointer against Wycombe Wanderers later today.
This doesn’t just mean all the players but “The staff, the players, the fans, the whole club are needed for a big push to try to achieve what we want to achieve”
Although the former Reading man believes that the first step is on the players as it is “Up to us as a group to embed the new signings as quick as we can.”
Long also believes it is those same groups that are due credit by still being in the fight despite giving the rest of the league a quarter of a season head start, “That’s a testament to the manager, the players, and the staff to bounce back, it’s good for the group, but we still have a lot of work to do”
With 8 additions since the turn of the turn of the new year, Cheltenham will be looking to get their players all on the same page quicker than other teams who have brought in significant additions, this includes today’s opponents Wycombe.
“Some teams will gel quicker than others. We just need to focus on ourselves to be honest. Get our game right and give it a give it a right good go.” explained the wing-back.
“We need to focus on ourselves because if we look after our own performances which we have done in the last couple of games then the results will come” he continued.
“We need to beat these teams if we want to get out of the position we’re in” stressed the captain, “the group’s well aware of how big the games are coming up and if they’re not they’ll be made aware of it by the bosses, maybe older players, and more senior lads”
Although that left the group one question explained Long “Can we all deal with the pressure and get results on the board?”
The new additions provide sudden competition for the Wycombe game, something the former Ireland youth international thinks will only benefit the squad.
“It’s exciting, might be a bit nerve-wracking but look the players now to step up and show that they can deal with this type of pressure” and if they can’t “then there’s someone there waiting on the sidelines to take your spot”
Although the importance of having each other’s back remains within the squad explained Long “A couple of senior boys will help these young lads through it but they all also need to give us a dig out.”
“It’s going to be a group effort and the challenge that I’m looking forward to personally” rounded off the defender
Cheltenham are yet to play the Choirboys this season, with the Robins rounding off their month with an away trip to Wycombe on February 27
