Crewe boss Lee Bell told his players he expects more from them after a sixth home defeat of the campaign left Alex with an uphill battle to secure a play-off place.
Bell was livid after a tepid display from his side saw Cheltenham, who had lost on their previous four outings, claim a 3-2 victory to leave Crewe four points adrift of the top seven.
George Miller put Cheltenham ahead before Ryan Haynes missed a penalty for the Robins. Kne Hemmings levelled from the spot but late goals from Jordan Thomas and Liam Dulson settled matters before Calum Agius hit a stoppage-time consolation.
Bell said: “I’m really clear about what I need to do to move this club forward. The players have got to understand what they’ve done and what has got us in the position we are in. I’ve asked them to come and see me if they feel they’ve not got what we need to get there.
“I didn’t see enough effort out there, although they might also have been lacking a bit of confidence. We’ve lost six games at homes and some of them have not been narrow defeats.
“I fully appreciate how the fans will feel and I will stand and take the flak that is coming my way, but some of the players have to take responsibility – we’ve got senior players on the pitch.
“It needs to be made clear to the players as I am clear what I am going to do next season. It’s got to be a lot better than that.”
Crewe’s play-off push has been tailing off for several weeks now with just one win in eight games.
Cheltenham assistant manager Aaron Downes said: “We had done everything we needed to do away from home in the first half and at half-time the boys knew there was a game to be won.
“We showed our capabilities in the second half when the game got stretched.
“Credit to the subs who came on as they did a super job. I was pleased for Liam Dulson. We were speaking to Arkell Jude-Boyd about his crossing this week and his delivery and work rate was superb.
“He put in some really dangerous crosses and George got on the end of one them. And despite his penalty miss Ryan Haynes was excellent tonight.”
