Put me on the spot again (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Put me on the spot again

JAMIE Cureton has stressed that one defeat 'doesn't make a crisis' after Town's disappointing opening to the campaign at Barnsley.

On a personal level, the 31-year-old has vowed to step forward and take the spot-kicks should Andy King's men be awarded any against Oldham Athletic at the County Ground tomorrow night.

Cureton saw his 57th-minute penalty saved by Barnsley goalkeeper Nick Colgan on Saturday, moments after Robbie Williams had been sent off for handling the Town striker's shot.

The visitors trailed 2-0 at that stage and a successful strike from 12 yards would have hauled them back into contention.

However, Cureton points to his strength of character in such situations and he won't now shy away from shouldering the responsibility.

He said: "I don't lose confidence when I miss. I've missed a penalty in a match before and then later scored from the spot in the same game. I just get very annoyed with myself.

"I'll always put myself in that position to score or miss and if another opportunity comes along in that situation against Oldham then I'll put myself forward again.

"It won't affect my season in terms of the targets I have for myself and the team. You try and take the positives out of any situation.

"Tony Thorpe and myself could have come away from the game with three goals between us. Hopefully we'll score more than we miss this season.

"We've lost the first one, of course the players and the supporters are disappointed but one game doesn't make a crisis. All I'd ask for is a little bit of time."

Manager Andy King has also pointed out the importance of keeping matters in perspective and is not about to start panicking because of a single setback.

He said: "We've had one football match. Chelsea might get beaten on Saturday.

"Does that mean Mourinho will be out of a job?

"I'm big, brave and I've bounced out of worse situations than this."