“It was a massive confidence boost”: Cheltenham Town Under-18s player Brandon Liggett on the FGR win that could change the Robins' season
Cheltenham Town Under-18s player Brandon Liggett believes that their 3-0 local derby victory over Forest Green Rovers “was a massive confidence boost”, heading into a crucial game at home to the league leaders, AFC Bournemouth.
The Cherries have already beaten the Robins this season, winning 4-0 back in September. When discussing the upcoming game, he told reporters, “We’ve just got to keep that same mentality for the rest of the season, I think sometimes we struggle with that.
“We turn up for the big games like Forest Green, but when it comes to the nitty gritty ones, like Bournemouth away, we need to show that mentality.”
The young Robins were yet to win in the league before the local derby on October 15, conceding 11 times in the four league games leading up to FGR.
Both teams were in need of a win, with Town just one point above the Rovers 18’s, who were also winless.
“Going into that game we knew we couldn’t lose, and every single lad on the pitch was up for it, to 3-0 as well was great, but we’ve just got to keep that same mentality for the rest of the season.
On his team’s start to the season, Liggett expressed his opinion: “It wasn’t the greatest, we lost a fair few and got to the point where we knew it couldn’t happen anymore, experiencing it every week wasn’t good.
“In some games, the scoreline went against us, against Exeter we dominated but drew 2-2, and then finally we got the win against Forest Green.
The midfielder who has been in the Cheltenham set-up since the age of 13 has seen plenty of people come and go over the years.
“When you’re around the age of 15 or 16 most of the lads are local and are from the area, some were my friends as well so to see them go was weird/
“But getting new people in is actually kind of refreshing, you see new personalities.
“It’s a bit better because it’s about performance at the end of the day so you want to get the best players you possibly can in.”
Liggett has played against a fair few big academies as he’s grown up, naming Everton, Manchester United and Arsenal as his three toughest opponents.
He then went on to list some players to look out for in the years to come; “In my year, it’s got to be Caleb Roberts from Plymouth, I’ve known him for quite a while as well, he scored for the first team the other night.
“Also, Tyler Dibling from Southampton, look out for him, he’s an absolute player.
Discussing fellow players then turned the conversation towards the age-old debate in football, who was better Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Messi” Liggett proclaimed, “I was a Ronaldo fanboy when I was younger, but when you grow up and look at Messi, and some of the stuff he does, I just think he’s incredible. I get lost for words with him sometimes.”
Up next for Liggett and the Cheltenham Under-18s is that tough test against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, December 3, before they travel to Newport County on December 17.