Cheltenham vs Macclesfield match preview
- Joseph Cummings
- Jan 24, 2019
- 2 min read
When Sol Campbell’s Macclesfield Town side travel to Gloucestershire on Saturday they know that a third win on the spin would take them above their Cheltenham.
Cheltenham are two points and two places above their next opponent and will be desperate to end a run of three straight league defeats.
Robins manager Duff, however, thinks that it’s not “doom and gloom” yet, but is aware that “we know the position we are in.”
The away side come into the match having taken an impressive 14 points from the last 8 matches, and Duff admits while Campbell “raised a few eyebrows” when arriving at the club, he has proven himself.
Duff continued: “We’ve got to be better in both boxes, basically. We need to make better decisions with and without the ball in those critical areas of the pitch.
FACT PACK:
Cheltenham have won 4 of the last 5 meetings (1 draw) and haven’t lost to Macclesfield since April 2011, when current Robins forward Tyrone Barnett netted the winner.
The reverse fixture this season finished 1-1, with goalkeeper Scott Flinders saving a penalty against his former employers.
That result proved to be the last straw for Duff’s predecessor Gary Johnson, who was sacked after picking up 1 point from 4 matches, the same as Macclesfield who also fired their manager.
Macclesfield have picked up 14 points from the last 8 matches, more than they managed from their previous 21. (13 points)
TEAM NEWS
Cheltenham have no new injury concerns with the only absentees being William Boyle and Sean Long. Charlie Raglan has been signed on loan from Oxford United for defensive cover. Nigel Atangana is stepping up his return to match fitness.
Ryan Broom has impressed in his first season at Cheltenham and has drawn interest from League One side Burton Albion. The winger has 6 months left on his current deal and is stalling on a new contract with the Robins.
Macclesfield have no injury worries ahead of the match.
WHAT NEXT
Cheltenham are also at home in the next two matches after this, although they currently have the 2ndworst defensive record with just 13 points from 13 matches. 11 of those points have come in the last 6 matches, with the 3-1 defeat to Tranmere ending a 5 match unbeaten streak at Whaddon Road.