Cheltenham Town players are totally committed says hero Pook
HAT-TRICK hero Michael Pook says that Cheltenham Town's extraordinary 6-5 victory over Burton Albion answers any questions over the players' commitment.
The Robins have been criticised for a lack of effort at times this season as they have struggled perilously close to the Coca-Cola League Two drop zone.
Their fighting spirit was clear to see at the Pirelli Stadium as they battled back from 2-0, 4-2 and 5-3 down to snatch an amazing win.
It was the first time any side has won 6-5 away from home in a Football League game since Manchester United defeated Chelsea by the odd goal in 11 in 1954. The last team to win a League fixture 6-5 were Grimsby Town, who edged out Burnley in October 2002.
"There is no question in my mind about the attitude of the lads and all we want to do is play well and give it 100 per cent," Pook said.
"We haven't clicked at times, but it's never through lack of trying and it was belief that helped us come back."
Pook had only scored fourLeague goals in his career before his 10-minute hat-trick.
His first was a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area that he drove through a crowd of players in the 84th minute to make it 5-4 to Burton.
The 23-year-old tried his luck from long range three minutes later and admits he was fortunate to see his heavily deflected shot loop over goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, but there was nothing lucky about his 94th minute winner that earned him the match ball.
"I couldn't help but laugh when the second went in," he said.
"There was nothing around me so I shot and it flicked up off the defender and went in.
"I think the third goal was fate because a few have dropped to me in that position this season and I have watched them go over the bar, so it was great to see it go in."
9 Comments
by KNIGHTY, cheltenham
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 3:33PM
“whoever gave um the "hairdryer"treatment at halftime,deserves a medal.yatesey must take some blame for his team selection & tactics in the 1st half.justin richards as the lone target man! i don't think so! the blokes body language is all wrong,he aint bovvered.jules must start againist vale,hopefully yatesey can get a goal scorer to play off him.if i was yatesey i'd give um the hairdryer treatment before the game.tell him to ring fergie and find out how its done!”
by dan, churchdown
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 2:09PM
“to be fair clive....(and I am in no way shape or form supporting hoofball because it is awful) but Justin Richards' equaliser to make it 5-5 was a flick from Jules from a hoofball from SB. But the first 2 chelt goals came from us working the line and getting balls played into the box!!! With the lumps we've got, getting balls into the box will produce goals. Simples”
by Clive, Winchcombe
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 12:05PM
“Hallelujah! Hoofball is dead.
Long live Pook-ball.....”
by Richard lll, Cheltenham
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 11:54AM
“Well done Pook - a fantastic hat-trick!
Now the lads now the way to goal (quite spectaculary!), let's shore up the defence again (it was pretty tight before Sat's game) + continue the 2nd half attacking performance at home to Vale this Sat.
BTW: Does anyone know what the fastest hat-trick record is for Chelt? Has Pook now got the record??”
by Swindon Fan, Swindon
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 11:18AM
“Well done Michael Pook from an STFC fan.. you used to be shot shy for us but it was good to see your result last Saturday”
by Edwards45, here, there, EFW
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 10:31AM
“Rome wasnt built in a day and it will take some time for Yatesie to get to where he wants to be, but apart from a 20+goals a season striker we're not far off. The players he has got in are definitely making a difference and hopefully can galvanise the team and start to play like we know they can, just please not another goal thriller(only if its 5 to us without reply), I dont think anyone could take it again, as Charlie has said a scrappy 1-0 will do.”
by drewks, FoDean
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 9:34AM
“Unfortunately the Pookster is forgetting there have been too many performances this season where different players' commitment have been in question. This isn't erased after one 45min slot - but it's a flippin good start! The main 'lack of effort' culprit has now left the club and you could argue that the 11 that played most of the 2nd half on Saturday HAVE generally been genuine. Let's make this the norm - they ARE after all playing for their contracts as well as for this club”
by charlie, cleeve the heart of cheltenhamshire
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 8:56AM
“agree wideboy last saturday will go down in history but we need a performance this week i would be happy with a scrappy 1-0 win, now we have a 6 point cushion again lets just get the job done and look forward and upwards.”
by wideboy, Chelt
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 8:31AM
“The first half performance was easily questionable but fair play the lads turned it around..... A big performance needed this Saturday against Vale!”