Cheltenham Town manager Darrell Clarke implied that Christmas would not be jolly for everyone at Whaddon Road as the club “have got to trim the squad” this January window.
Since landing the Cheltenham job in October, Clarke has become aware of the fact he will need to deal with the repercussions of a trigger-happy summer window.
Clarke was clear that The Robins’ financial situation could be in better spirits as they head into the festive transfer window.
“The fact of the matter is we must work around the budget that we’ve spent before I have got here, so we have got to trim the squad. The squad has been too big, having quantity and not quality.
“We need to make changes because of that, there will be players moving on. In a perfect world, I would like to bring in two or three experienced players which we will try and do but players have got to go as well.” Clarke Said.
Despite the pressure of the January window coming up, Clarke was still fixated on the packed period throughout December foremost.
“It is a busy period for us as footballers and as managers. We are working hard and that is how it has to be around this Christmas period. I am used to it and without a doubt some of my players are used to it, as well as my staff.
“We want everyone to enjoy the Christmas period, but we have big points to play for and big games to play for. We are working hard to try and maximise as many points as we possibly can.”
The first of the frantic run of games comes at The Completely Suzuki Stadium this Saturday where Cheltenham host Leyton Orient.
Clarke and Orient manager Richie Wellens have shared the stage many times before, clashing both as players and after their careers from the side line.
“Richie is a very talented manager, he did great to get them up last year and they are finding their feet at this level.
“They are on a little bit of a dip in form but that is always going to happen when you have just been promoted. They have got some good players in their squad and some players coming back from injury now as well, which will strengthen them.
“We must take care of our own business. I say it week in week out, it does not matter who it is against, it is what it is; 11 men versus 11 men on a football pitch. We are respectful of their strengths, but we want to hurt their weaknesses. The consistency we want to work at does not change for us.”
https://uogjmag.co.uk/i-dont-think-he-will-be-daunted-by-standing-next-to-pep-guardiola-in-the-dug-out-sky-sports-jeremy-langdon-on-michael-duffs-attitude-towards-cheltenham-towns-big-fa-cup-clash-with-manche/The idea of being back at home was also exciting for The Robins’ boss as before his side had a couple away trips on the bounce, they picked up four points in their last two home games.
“Winning games both home and away is important but it is nice to get back in front of our home fans.
“Our form has been good as of late with the fans behind us. We are going to need them for the rest of the season to get behind the boys and jump on the bandwagon that we are trying to build.”
Clarke will hope that bandwagon gets a grip on the winter frost to gain momentum through for the rest of the season.
In a time where his side is now in touching distance of teams around them in the table, it could be a pivotal period in the campaign where they will hope for some Christmas magic.
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