"They did to us what we usually do to teams" - Cheltenham Town boss Michael Flynn after Harrogate Town defeat
Thoughts on that?
Disappointing. It sums it up that we scored two own goals. They had more intensity than us, they were stronger in individual duels and they deserved to win tonight. We were poor.
You couldn't seem to get going at all
READ MORE: Harrogate Town v Cheltenham Town RECAP: Poor Robins slump to away defeat
No, we didn't get going. You can use excuses in everything. First and foremost, we weren't good enough. But before their first goal, there was a clear foul on Arkell (Jude-Boyd), where it should have been a yellow card and a free-kick to us. They go down the other end, get a corner and score. It's not good enough really because it's right in front of their face. But we didn't deserve anything from the game because we were way below standard.
What disappointed you the most?
We didn't win enough individual battles. It was only three or four who can hold their heads up. Too many off days. These are tough places to come, Harrogate - we have Accrington and Fleetwood away coming up. If you are not up for the fight, first and foremost, you can have all the ability and attention around you, but if you don't win an individual battle or break lines with a pass or a run, then you are going to be in trouble.
They were intense with their press and direct, knocking it into the channels, which caused you problems didn't it?
They did the basics a lot better than us. There have not been many times I've had to say that this season. It's probably the third time, Swindon first half and Fleetwood at home. It was a disappointing evening and they know that because I've just told them.
A tough baptism for some of the new arrivals?
Very tough. We obviously missed Tom Bradbury and Tom Pett, who were unavailable tonight with injuries, hopefully not too bad. The likes of Val, probably a bit too early for Darragh to be honest, but I thought he had a solid game. There weren't enough good games out there tonight.
Were there words at half-time?
Yes because we were way below anything that's required to win a football match here, or any match. There were too many off games and a team like us, if you get four, five or six having an off day, you tend to lose.
Especially your senior players, some of whom had off days
I will say I thought Scot Bennett was excellent, but he's ended up with an own goal - the ball has come straight off him. Luke Young, free header, frustrating. Their set piece delivery was very good, putting us under pressure most of the time, while ours wasn't.
You made four changes on the hour, with a lot of choice over who to take off?
Yes, I did. That's why I took four off.
Can you take any positives out of it?
Darragh had a solid debut and Scot Bennett was good. Ethan Williams showed glimpses. We were way off it with the intensity and aggression. They did to us tonight what we do to teams usually. That's the frustrating part.
Ethon Archer had that half chance with about 10 or 15 minutes left
Yes, that summed Ethon up tonight.
Will it take time for the new signings to settle in?
It will and we can only pick up goods from a certain shop. We can't get 10 ready made top League Two players, or League One players. It is what it is. We've done all right with them so far and they are going to have off days. I've said that after we've won games. We've had an off day.
Is there scope for further signings?
We'll have to see. I'll sit down with Gary and we'll go through it.
Anybody going out?
Yes it's finding the right place for them and teams taking them.
What's the situation with Harrison Sohna?
He's not been good enough. He's a good footballer, technically good, but nights like this, that's where he needs to improve.
Is it a case of moving players out before you sign anyone experienced now?
If people come in for them and do they want to go etc etc. It's not just so and so, let's get rid of him. You have to have a suitor. It's not easy, but we have to come back from this, bounce back and kick on against Salford on Saturday.
How excited are you about Ethan Williams?
He is highly regarded and tonight was a tough one for him. A baptism of fire, away to Harrogate, which is blood and thunder. He showed some good qualities. There are things I've seen tonight I can improve him on and he can improve on. What I've seen tells me he is a very good footballer.
Were Tom Pett and Tom Bradbury close to being available tonight?
Tom Bradbury had to come off Tuesday night, he is really sore around the hip, but should be fine for Saturday. Tom Pett had come off with a dead leg, which still hasn't recovered. You bring these loans in and new signings, ideally you'd like to bring them on from the bench and get them up to speed, we weren't quite able to do that tonight.
You brought in 19 in the summer and it didn't take that long to settle them in, so with five now do you hope it'll be quick?
Yes, it will and we have all had bad games, off days, none of them have done it on purpose. They are a good group, but it's an off day and I am not going to hammer them or dig anybody out. We don't want too many more of them. We'll dust ourselves down, honest group and we go again.
How is Joe Day and did you think you might have to put young Mamadou Diallo on for his debut?
I was worried because of their set piece delivery, it'd be the last place I wanted to give him his debut. But I would have and he wouldn't have been fazed. Thankfully Joe was all right. I thought it was something a little worse than that. He has rolled his ankle - took the ball, was pulled in the air and that's another little trick of experience, shall we say, but there was no need for it.
