Cheltenham boss Johnson admits: “I need to find a striker in form”

(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)

By Alex Beard

Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson has conceded that he needs one of his strikers to quickly find form, after the Robins‘ wait for a league goal stretched to four-and-a-half hours in their defeat at Newport County last night.

The experienced boss is searching for answers but remains dumbfounded about his side’s dearth of goals. Cheltenham are now 22nd in the League Two table after last night’s loss.

Johnson maintained his trust in Danny Wright and Mohamed Eisa at Rodney Parade, but not for long as both players were hooked at half time with Cheltenham searching for that vital goal.

“I am frustrated again because we can’t get that elusive goal,” Johnson said.

“I made the two changes at half time because I felt we needed to get the goal. I could have left the two lads on, but I was trying to find something more potent.

“We did have two or three good opportunities in the second half but Newport defended for their lives and all we can do is keep working hard, and I need to find a striker in form, then someone else to play with him.”

The 61-year-old pushed midfielder Harry Pell up front in the second half last night, but says he’s unlikely to do so in future: “He’s a midfielder, isn’t he?” he said.

“We stuck him up there because if we do shooting sessions, he’s a good one and he finishes things. But there is a lot more to centre forward play.

“I was hoping something would fall to him, and he had one good chance when Stoz put him in but it got away from him.

“We played some decent football at times but it was the same old story, really.”

Cheltenham will be desperate to end their goal drought when they host Colchester United at Whaddon Road on Saturday.