Downing suffers new setbacks
KEITH DOWNING's transfer market misery has continued with two more targets rejecting offers to join Cheltenham Town.
The Robins opened their third successive Coca-Cola League One campaign with an eventful 4-2 defeat at Northampton Town on Saturday.
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Cheltenham Town manager Keith Downing has suffered further frustrations in the transfer maket
On the eve of the season, Downing had attempted to capture former Wrexham, Coventry City and Blackpool striker Andy Morrell, who chose to join League Two Bury, and York City winger Martyn Woolford, who has signed for Scunthorpe United.
With Bristol City's Kevin Betsy opting to switch to Southend United and experienced front man Geoff Horsfield training with Hartlepool United, Downing has been forced to rethink his recruitment strategy once again.
He confirmed he was one of up to six managers hoping to sign Charlton Athletic's former Forest Green striker Stuart Fleetwood on loan.
"I will be back on the phone and we are putting the work in so by the end of August I am confident we'll see four new faces," Downing said.
"I have had two clubs ask me to wait until after the Carling Cup first round this week, so maybe we can get people in by next Saturday.
"We are in the mix for these players, but getting them is another thing. We are working hard to try and get them, but they are not going elsewhere for financial seasons.
"We are offering reasonable money, but we will go again this week. We are looking across the country to try and find the right players for this club, but it's hugely disappointing when some go to a lower level."
Downing felt his threadbare team performed well for 65 minutes at Sixfields before the home side were awarded two penalties in three minutes, both of which were converted by Adebayo Akinfenwa to transform the complexion of the match.
He said: "It was a good game with a lot of chances. We did okay for 65 minutes and then we conceded two penalties and I thought their second one was dubious.
"I was pleased with our response and we pulled one back, but their fourth goal finished the game.
"I thought we were the better side in the first half, but conceded just before half-time. There was a mad 10 or 15 minutes, but in the main I thought the defence did pretty well.
"In the end, it was a game that fell away from us a little bit, but it's not all about the opening day."
21 Comments
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by Matt Dunkley-Roberts, Cheltenham
Monday, August 11 2008, 7:09PM
“COME ON CHELTENHAM!!!”
by chelt bob, cheltenham
Monday, August 11 2008, 7:00PM
“we more than likely are offering the right kind of money.....but if you are looking for a place to live in Cheltenham or Hartlepool then Manor house V's Broom cupborad springs to mind....!!”
by Ad, Chelt
Monday, August 11 2008, 5:49PM
“I agree with all the positive fans who have written stuff below.
If you are going to moan after one game then why bl**dy bother. they wouldn't like if we all came to their place of work and slagged them off everytime they made a small mistake.
We're all human after all; get behind Conner and Ash and lets give them a go! Everyone else can stay at home and polish their Mondeos!
Good luck KD”
by Chris, Cheltenham
Monday, August 11 2008, 5:40PM
“Football is an emotional game - so I understand that some of the comments appearing are rather 'emotional' to say the least!
Let's try and remove this emotion for a moment.
It must be quite obvious to everyone that the current squad, regardless of it's best intentions, is probably incapable of sustaining League One Status - the odd injury will see the squad decimated! And we haven't exactly been lucky with injuries over the last few years have we!
We need to recruit 'tried and tested' players and we need to raise the profile of the Club, not only locally - but nationally. The problem is: any available 'decent' player appears to prefer to play at a lower level and the grass roots support of the Club are becoming very, very worried! Deep down, we all know that everyone is trying their best. However, there has to be something basically wrong!
If anyone has the answer, please let us know... Cheers.”
by Richard, Cheltenham
Monday, August 11 2008, 5:31PM
“Perhaps all the regular moaners on these comments pages could club together and bring new funds into the club. Baker always says he's keen to have new investors into the club. If the moners invested themselves, they could tell Baker exaclty where they wanted their cash invested.
Keep the faith Robins' fans - KD WILL KEEP US UP - AGAIN!!”
by Craig, Cheltenham
Monday, August 11 2008, 4:09PM
“I fully agree with those sticking up for Keith and the team. A true fan should be behind the team & manager at this stage, not slating them. Shame on the moaners!”
by Kalamity Keith, Shit Kreek
Monday, August 11 2008, 4:06PM
“My comments were obviously not based on one defeat. But the weeks and months of listening to one excuse after another. I am prepared to wait 2 weeks - but then what do we do when the window slams shut. Just rely on loan players and the Gillespie money will all be used up while we cover up the cracks with sticky back plastic. And what makes you so sure KD will achieve in 2 weeks what he has failed to do in 8 ??”
by tunnel vision, chelt
Monday, August 11 2008, 3:55PM
“I agree with that. Nice one Phil.”
by Phil, cheltenham
Monday, August 11 2008, 3:21PM
“I agree, the standard of our football is greatly improving! We have over 2 weeks to sign players, there will be alot of quality players without clubs that would beg to come to a lesser league 1 club than drop out of the game completely. Its crazy how fickle some so called robins fans can be, 1game in and you call for a change in manager?! If we haven't signed at least 2 strikers by the end of the month, then start complaining.”
by Ben, cheltenham
Monday, August 11 2008, 2:18PM
“Stating the obvious, they scored 2, but conceded 4. maybe the problem is not the forwards. To concede 4 and say "the defence played pretty well" is garbage. Successful teams are built on defence.”