Loan deal done, Arkell Jude-Boyd redeems himself after late arrival and impressive home form - Cheltenham Town boss Michael Flynn after Chesterfield win
Four stoppage time winners at the EV Charger Points Stadium this season, what does that say about the team?
They'll start calling it 'Flynn time' instead of 'Fergie time', won't they! Something like that. It means we keep going and I am really pleased today because I didn't think we were at our best by a long stretch. It was quite even first half, but they looked a little more potent second half. We stuck to our task, we just gave up possession and territory, not easily, but we kind of let them have it. We weren't camped in our own half, but we were in our half a lot more than I would have liked against a very, very good Chesterfield team. They do have a lot of injuries, but I know their budget is much bigger than ours. That's a great win for us.
When the clock was coming around to 90 would you have taken a point?
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No because before that we'd scored three winners in 90+. What I wouldn't have taken is no points because to be honest, I think it had 0-0 written all over it.
You have played five League Two games in 2025 and kept three clean sheets. What's the change been to get those clean sheets?
The players have been concentrating, they been switched on. There is lots to improve on today. I look at ourselves first and we have been off it, maybe looked a bit flat at times, but we had a long trip Tuesday night to Accrington, tough game against Salford on the Saturday, so we have beaten two very good teams here now and it goes to show we are moving in the right direction.
Were you expecting your right-back to pop up in the middle of the goal?
He owed me one today because he was late. The old me would have dropped him, cut my nose off to spite my face, make a statement etc. He has repaid the boys today with the winning goal.
Late for the team get together?
Yes.
So what's changed in Michael Flynn then?
It's age, lot of reading, working on myself, the emotional intelligence part of it, I need to improve, I still need to improve. But I am trying and giving all my effort into that to help me help Cheltenham Town and these young players.
Since Colchester, performances have been consistent haven't they, what do you attribute that to?
Being together longer. We have another one over the line now. We are adding to the squad, but improving the squad. It'll be a loan.
You did want a permanent in, is that still likely to happen?
No. I had to prioritise where we needed, where I felt we needed. I have done that and the club have been excellent, Gary, Paul Godfrey, David, Clive. We've got it done.
Is that the end of your transfers in?
Never say never, but I am comfortable now with what we've got.
Are you expecting anybody to go?
I hope not. Unless they are not in the squad, or fringe players, no. Not anyone in the main group.
What's the situation with Ryan Bowman?
It's just me having to make a decision with the squad. It's unfortunate at the minute, but Ryan is missing out.
What does he have to do to get back into the squad?
Keep going, keep working hard and there are injuries and suspensions all the time. He's been training extremely well. His attitude has been excellent, so he is only an injury away from being back.
Have there been bids, or interest in your players during this window?
There have been quite a lot, yes. There have been bids and the board have been excellent in turning them down and they deserve a lot of credit for that.
You have now beaten two strong teams at home in succession, after previously giving good accounts of yourselves, but not really being able to get results over the line. How pleasing is that?
The importance of it was that even though we weren't at our best, we didn't make any mistakes, or limited the mistakes. Individual errors have killed us in a lot of games. Not pinpointing anyone, it's a mixture of the players, but those errors touch wood, we've definitely reduced them and that's why we are winning more games and improving.
How is Scot Bennett and is it his calf?
I am thinking it's not too bad, but it stiffened right up and it was a little bit awkward for him. We have to take precautions. He's been excellent for us, superb, him and Stubbsy (Sam Stubbs) together have got a good partnership together. We have to be careful and I am not going to risk him.
One defeat in 13 at home across all competitions since Swindon, which is some run isn't it?
Yes, it is some going, especially what we've had to put together. Myself, Gary, Aaron, Ash, the board, it's been a bit turnaround and I am really pleased, and I've just said it to them, you don't get it if they aren't together and working hard for each other, supporting each other and that's what those players are doing. Even Arks, who was late, he has gone out and had a good performance and scored the winning goal. I didn't punish him per se for it. I might hit him in the pocket. It goes to show that we have that respect for each other as a group and the players have bought into it.