Phillips believes unbeaten run can continue ahead of Robins' trip to Altrincham
Keeper Dillon Phillips insists the seven game unbeaten run can continue, starting with a result away to Altrincham this weekend. Following the Robins’ impressive Bank Holiday double over Torquay with a resounding 3-0 victory and a determined 2-1 win at home to Wrexham in front of live TV cameras, Cheltenham are one of three teams still yet to taste defeat this season along with Eastleigh and table-toppers Forest Green Rovers, and Phillips says the confidence from this will breed more results.
"At the moment, there’s a few unbeaten, it would be great if we were the last team to remain unbeaten,” he said. "If you’re not losing then you’re picking up points, that’s the main aim. Altrincham will be a tough test, teams now will think “We’re playing Cheltenham today, let’s get that three points”, we’re going to be one of the teams to beat if we stay up near the top.”
Phillips was voted man of the match after a string of superb saves against a Wrexham side who peppered the goal at times on Monday. If Phillips can keep clean sheets, then it’s down to the outfield 10 players to ensure they hold their end of the bargain and score. “I can only affect what’s going on at one end of the pitch, if we stay unbeaten for a long time then I’m doing my job right, it’s a big thing for me and the defence to keep clean sheets,” he said. "If we’re not conceding as many as we’re scoring, then we’ll win games.”
Due to George McLennan’s red card against Torquay, boss Gary Johnson has had to reshuffle his defence with Rob Dickie coming in to play right back, Jack Barthram moving to left back, neither playing in their favoured position. Phillips has been highly complimentary of his makeshift defence, paying tribute to all of his defenders who have played this season. "Rob’s a very good player, you’ve all seen that already. He’s comfortable on the ball, even though he’s a centre back by trade. He’s playing on the right at the moment, he’s come from a good club from Reading, he’s very big and strong,” he said. "George has done well and Jack has had to go over to the left, where he looks very comfortable in doing anyway, he’s a very talented player he’s got a left and right foot.”
Phillips, who had never played first team football before his move to Cheltenham, has expressed his delight to be playing regularly in a team who are competing at the top of the table. "Playing first team football is so much better than playing on a training pitch on Monday afternoon when there’s 30 people watching, I’m really enjoying my time here and hopefully there’ll be more good results to come.” he said.