Alan Bennett: 'Defeat was a wake-up call for Cheltenham Town'
SKIPPER Alan Bennett has demanded a positive reaction from Cheltenham Town at Macclesfield Town on Saturday.
The Robins suffered a disappointing 2-0 home defeat by Bristol Rovers last weekend as their ten-match unbeaten League Two run was brought to an end.
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DEMAND: Skipper Alan Bennett has called on the Robins to bounce back at Macclesfield on Saturday
A point would have seen them go top of the table, but they are now level on points with both leaders Southend United and second placed Crawley Town, who stand above them on goal difference.
Central defender Bennett was at fault for Rovers' second goal after a rare misjudgement and he knows a major all-round improvement is needed if the Robins are to maintain their title challenge.
"There has to be a reaction and there will be one," Bennett said.
"Our standards have maybe slipped slightly a little recently so the last match has to be a wake-up call for us.
"We weren't ourselves and they picked us off and did a job on us.
"We weren't up to our normal tempo and it's cost us.
"I don't think we were ever going to remain unbeaten for the rest of the season, but we'll respond now."
Bennett accepted blame for the goal that put Rovers 2-0 up in the 63rd minute after recent Cheltenham transfer target Chris Zebroski had opened the scoring on the hour.
Brown pushed away another powerful effort from Zebroski, and while Bennett attempted to shepherd the ball back to his goalkeeper, Eliot Richards stole in to double the lead.
"We are normally pretty good defensively and I realise I can't make mistakes like that," he said.
"I do a lot of the covering and the talking so if I make an error it really stands out and it was a bad decision from me.
"I tried to read Browny's body language but I didn't get much of a shout and before I know it the ball is in the net, which was disappointing.
"I sulked all night and I was a demon to live with, but we have got to react in the right way now."
â Blue Square Bet Premier club Mansfield Town are interested in signing striker Matthew Barnes-Homer.
Stags boss Paul Cox admits talks have taken place with the former Kidderminster Harriers forward, who was due to play for Cheltenham on trial in Tuesday's County Cup clash with Gloucester City.
Cox said: "Matthew is someone we are talking to but everything boils down to finance.
"He's one of a number of players we have in our sights with the deadline approaching."











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by ALChelt
Friday, January 27 2012, 7:21AM
“Yahoo 2010 LOL.....Never a fan of Book and not a fan of S B dont think a lot of Mohamed either,but I try really hard not to **** them off on the day,as for S B not putting in a transfer requesthe is leaving the dream of being a full time football pro,he would not want that shattered ,would he?”
by yahoo2010
Thursday, January 26 2012, 4:50PM
“Hannah makes a good point about Scotty. I guess if he had the natural ability and confidence to command his own area, take crosses, kick well etc, he would be playing at a much higher level! As I see it, but for Scotty it would have been Cheltenham 0 - 1 Shrewsbury and Cheltenham 1 - 1 Rotherham. I remember Booky was a great shot stopper but made the odd howler and his kicking was often woeful. Yet he was "England's number one" as far as the fans were concerned. So I have some sympathy for Scotty and I also admire his humility. I'm sure a lot of other keepers would have slammed in a transfer request when the new kid on the block, 19 yr old Jack Butland, came in and replaced him. But Scotty just swallowed his pride and got on with it as a professional. As for Alan Bennett, he hasn't really admitted full responsibility for his mistake otherwise he wouldn't have needed to blame someone else for not shouting! Come on Al - must do better!”
by ALChelt
Thursday, January 26 2012, 1:23PM
“"I tried to read Browny's body language but I didn't get much of a shout" that tells me A B thought S B should have took control,which was my opinion at the time and still is after watching the replay Albertofrog...Get over Butland not coming back,where in my comments suggest this, I am only pointing out J B would have taken control of the situation.
If has you suggest "Brown being made a scapegoat again" I was not suggesting this however theres no smoke without fire ,that is why M Y brought in Jack Butland and is still trying to bring in a keeper he can TOTALLY rely on.
Losing a game.. I was over it before I left the ground,you win,you lose,it's the manner of both results and how you either maintain or improve on either.”
by Hannah089
Thursday, January 26 2012, 10:38AM
“I think Benno meant a general shout from anyone - Brown included - who probably could see the situation better than anyone around Benno. And i believe Sido was the only other defender particuarly close, but I think a 'keeper should be telling his defenders what is going on constantly. But we are generally a quiet team, i barely hear a 'man on' shout.
This isn't me being harsh, as i've said i will support Brown, but i will point out his weaknesses, i don't think it was a fantastic save, solid good save yes. He was up on his feet again before the ball bounced but didn't really make a decision himself or aid Benno. And Benno was at fault - no question. Brown just looks like he lacks confidence and decision-making - perhaps in this League you have to accept you're going to get a goalkeeper with a few weak areas.
I did hear Yatesy's daughter say that her Dad has sorted Butland's return - but i took it with a large pinch of salt. I understand it must be annoying hearing people go on about a player who is and was a short term solution, but i think it highlighted SB's shortcomings.
Going back to my original point though, the team have to communicate more and it starts from the back.”
by AlbertoFrog
Thursday, January 26 2012, 9:55AM
“Brown had made a fantastic save, and was recovering from it. Bennett saying 'he didn't get a shout' isn't talking about Brown, he means no other defenders around warned him Richards was behind him. As usual Brown being used as the scapegoat!! As for Butland, he's not coming back, so get over it.”