After the shadow boxing of Cirencester, Stourbridge and Telford, it was time for the first visit to the Theatre of Shattered Dreams, Whaddon Road.
Time for the first big test.
Bristol City brought along a strong line-up and we started with, on paper, probably the strongest line-up available to us.
Steve Elliott was still out, Ethan Moore still sick and there was also no Russ Penn, while Sido Jombati was on the bench, but not risked as we opened up with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
It was a system which had served us well at times last season, particularly at Accrington, but on this occasion it was rather forced on us with our paucity of out and out strikers.
Scott Brown was back in goal (more of him later...) while Keith Lowe, Harry Hooman, Alan Bennett and Danny Andrew made up the back four. Marlon Pack and Theo Lewis were the two 'holders' with Josh Low and Kaid Mohamed out wide and Junior Smikle in the middle just off the lone front man Jeff Goulding.
But the start was not encouraging as we seemed to sit off City a little too much in the opening quarter.
This, of course, gave rise to some discontented mumblings around me in the Paddock - yes, at the FIRST pre-season friendly, and against a side two divisions above us.
It took ONE MINUTE for the first moan about Scott Brown, coming after his misjudged a clearance... 'nothing has changed then, you are bloody useless Brown' ... the helpful comment from our so-called fan.
Thanks for nothing.
Then when Damion Stewart's long ball was brought down and finished superbly by Nicky Maynard (a £4million rated striker) the criticism continued... 'I suppose you will blame the pitch for that one' was the verdict from nearby.
Honestly, does every club have fans like that? It does make me despair.
In truth, we were sluggish early on as City pinged the ball about nicely and pegged us back, but as the half wore on we gradually came into it.
A superb run from Kaid Mohamed down the left, showing his turn of pace for the first time in pre-season action, nearly carved out a chance - but a quick counter-attack saw Marvin Elliott score with a header from Jamal Campbell-Ryce's cross.
Jeff Goulding was then guilty of a bad miss - although in his defence I think he was expecting an offside flag, then Josh Low burst through and should have squared for Goulding before the chance was snuffed out.
At half-time I went up stairs and was told that the Echo's live text was lively in the first half as the doom mongers were having a field day.
One comment was apparently that Mark Yates should be sacked if we are in the bottom half after 10 games and I was told there was a healthy debate about his successor. Incredible.
By the end of the game, I would hope that they were shut up well and truly as we turned in our best pre-season display to date in what I thought was a hugely positive second-half display.
It was led by Kaid Mohamed, now pushed up front alongside Jeff Goulding.
Kaid had not pulled up any trees in the first three games, but he showed good pace and skill, with one superb turn on the edge of the box.
Goulding worked very hard all game as he played most of it as a lone striker and - having taken a lot of flak for his work rate last season, he more than answered those criticisms.
He was unlucky with a header from a Marlon Pack free-kick but stepped up to beat David James with a well-taken penalty after Keith Lowe was fouled.
Defensively, after the two goals, Lowe was his usual dependable self and I thought Danny Andrew has a decent game against a tricky winger in Albert Adomah.
Alan Bennett and triallist Harry Hooman worked well together keeping Jon Stead and Nicky Maynard quiet in the second half.
Bennett looks a good signing to me while Hooman has promise - but I do not think our budget will spread that far.
In midfield, Marlon Pack oozes quality and Theo Lewis worked hard alongside him without really standing out before giving way to Dave Bird.
Andy Gallinagh replaced Alan Bennett, while we also saw Kyle Haynes on the right wing when Josh Low went off - and Kyle had a decent effort which flew wide of the far post.
Michael Pook was the last sub to come on, more proof - if any were needed - of his position in Mark Yates' pecking order.
Junior Smikle was busy, and moved from central midfield out to the right after Josh Low went off and ended up in the attack after Goulding was replaced.
Theo Lewis was replaced by Bagasan Graham, the star of pre-season so far, who once again did himself no harm, and will have picked up a few more admirers among those seeing him for the first time.
He made one good run down the left - then when the ball came to him subsequently the noise grew appreciably - people sensing something could happen.
The other unknown arrival in the second half was Boubou Diallo, who replaced Goulding up front.
He is a rangy striker, spindly, yet tall and athletic and he produced one great turn and a howitzer of a shot with David James turned around the post.
His name just suddenly appeared on the team sheet with no warning, and assistant manager Neil Howarth served only to prolong the mystery afterwards when quizzed on his background.
'He's French' was all Neil was prepared to offer, saying that an agent had recommended him and that there was the feeling he could play at our level.
He didn't even want to tell us how old he is - 'he says he is 18 but his passport says he's 32' was the tongue in cheek response.
A Google search on Boubou Diallo unearths a left back with one game in the French fourth division and one goal for Le Havre B. Who knows whether that's our man or not.
Neil did not want to give much away - suggesting maybe that he and Mark think they might have found something, and maybe something will transpire in the coming days or weeks.
So that is an interesting one - my conspiracy theory mind even wondering if Boubou Diallo is even his real name - a spot of the Scottish 'A Trialist' maybe... who knows?
Elsewhere, Bagasan Graham was again spoken of highly by Neil, who said that Mick Jones, assistant manager at QPR to Neil Warnock, said they came very close to offering Bags a contract, and they felt he could go on and have a career somewhere.
I honestly do hope it is here as every time I see him I get more convinced that there is a player there somewhere and it would be a shame if he proved that somewhere else. A year's contract is, in my view, definitely a risk worth taking.
The much-famed loan striker is, we were told by Neil, still in the pipeline, while he also said that the name of our former loan winger Jake Thomson, the subject of a cryptic Twitter exchange earlier today with Marlon Pack, is still under consideration as another iron in the fire.
But we won't be able to sign the loan striker, loan keeper, Bagasan Graham, Boubou Diallo, Harry Hooman AND Jake Thomson as the budget will never stretch that far - unless someone comes in for Michael Pook.
All in all, an interesting evening which started in negativity and ended in optimism and a tinge of mystery.
So now off to Wales, and it will be fascinating to see who boards the coach, and what transpires when we take to the field at Newport next Saturday.
Things are definitely hotting up...
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Goal of the season...?
After the ridiculously over-the-top reactions on the net forums and elsewhere to the result at Stourbridge on Tuesday night, it was with some trepidation that I made the train journey to Telford.
Well, Wellington actually.
It was my first trip to the Buck's Head since it became the New Buck's Head, basically by being totally rebuilt.
Very impressive it is too, with an excellent playing surface although it does have a touch of the Nene Parks about it, and the Strongbow was warm in the bar.
My main focus was to see which of the triallists would take their last chance to impress and book a place on the bonding trip to Wales next week, and maybe beyond.
We were already without injured trio Steve Elliott, Sido Jombati and Russ Penn, and also Ethan Moore, who seems to have the longest-running virus in medical history, and is rapidly turning into the invisible man.
Add to that Scott Brown, Alan Bennett, Josh Low and Marlon Pack, who had a watching brief in the stand, and you can see that this side had a very 'fringey' look about it.
Mike Green had a second game in goal, with Kyle Haynes, Harry Hooman, Andy Gallinagh and Danny Andrew across the back.
In midfield, Dave Bird, Michael Pook and returning trialist Olumide Durojaiye (Oli from now on) formed a narrow trio with Kaid Mohamed and Bagasan Graham supporting Nathan Elder.
So from that line-up, I would say that only Danny Andrew would be a certainty to start at Gillingham in three weeks time, with possibly Kaid as well, depending on how many more strikers we bring in.
The first half was quite even, with Telford's Andy Brown having the best chance to score when he hit the post, and Mike Green making one save from Craig Farrell.
Our best chance was made by Bagasan Graham with his first real run after 21 minutes, and he stood a great cross up for Nathan Elder at the far post, but he seemed to lack the will to really attack it.
Danny Andrew had a couple of long-range efforts, and then had our first chance after the break which forced a good save from the Telford keeper Ryan Young.
Graham came more in to the game as time went on and was again the best of the triallists with his keenness to run at players, and had an experienced full-back in the former Hereford player Ryan Valentine to contend with.
In this game more than the other two, he also showed more awareness, looking to end his runs with a cross or shot, and had a couple of efforts which went over the bar.
I definitely feel he is worth persevering with, and would hope that Mark Yates will take him to Wales.
Of the others, I would not take Nathan Elder or Oli on their showings today, while Harry Hooman and Luke Bottomer are borderline.
Hooman did little wrong in the game but with Elliott, Gallinagh, Bennett and Keith Lowe who can all play at centre-half, I would question the need for a fifth-choice centre half when other areas are more pressing.
Bottomer was very good at Cirencester, less so at Stourbridge and even less so in the 27 minutes he had after replacing Kaid Mohamed on the right. My reservations with him is size and physicality.
That was one of four changes we made with Keith Lowe replacing Danny Andrew, Junior Smikle replacing David Bird and, most tellingly, Jeff Goulding coming on for Nathan Elder.
Within a minute of coming on, the ball fell for Goulding 35 yards out and he produced a sublime lob over Young into the net, the celebration afterwards as nonchalant as the goal itself.
More substitutions followed with scholar Matt Williams coming on for Andy Gallinagh, Theo Lewis replacing Oli and later on Scott Wilson replaced Bagasan Graham and another scholar Keiran Thomas came on for Michael Pook.
So the side that finished was Green; Lowe, Williams, Hooman, Haynes (switched to left back when Keith Lowe came on); Thomas, Smikle, Lewis; Wilson, Bottomer; Goulding.
The equaliser, scored by Adam Proudlock with the last kick of the game was a small downer, but all in all it was a satisfactory performance against a competitive Telford side with some decent players.
Aside from the triallists, I would pick out Kyle Haynes as having had a decent game both defensively and looking to get forward, and he also adapted well to switching sides.
The manager was pleased after the game and would not reveal at this stage which triallists would be staying on, saying probably one or two, so maybe Graham and one other may be heading for Wales.
It seems that the loan striker is still on schedule, and Mark also revealed that he has made an offer for another player, who is a free agent, but there was no clue on position, age or former club, the manager adding that he is waiting for an answer.
So it is clear that the recruitment drive is not yet over as the pre-season preparations roll on to Bristol City on Tuesday night.
Well, Wellington actually.
It was my first trip to the Buck's Head since it became the New Buck's Head, basically by being totally rebuilt.
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| The New Buck's Head |
Very impressive it is too, with an excellent playing surface although it does have a touch of the Nene Parks about it, and the Strongbow was warm in the bar.
My main focus was to see which of the triallists would take their last chance to impress and book a place on the bonding trip to Wales next week, and maybe beyond.
We were already without injured trio Steve Elliott, Sido Jombati and Russ Penn, and also Ethan Moore, who seems to have the longest-running virus in medical history, and is rapidly turning into the invisible man.
Add to that Scott Brown, Alan Bennett, Josh Low and Marlon Pack, who had a watching brief in the stand, and you can see that this side had a very 'fringey' look about it.
Mike Green had a second game in goal, with Kyle Haynes, Harry Hooman, Andy Gallinagh and Danny Andrew across the back.
In midfield, Dave Bird, Michael Pook and returning trialist Olumide Durojaiye (Oli from now on) formed a narrow trio with Kaid Mohamed and Bagasan Graham supporting Nathan Elder.
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| Olumide Durojaiye (right) |
So from that line-up, I would say that only Danny Andrew would be a certainty to start at Gillingham in three weeks time, with possibly Kaid as well, depending on how many more strikers we bring in.
The first half was quite even, with Telford's Andy Brown having the best chance to score when he hit the post, and Mike Green making one save from Craig Farrell.
Our best chance was made by Bagasan Graham with his first real run after 21 minutes, and he stood a great cross up for Nathan Elder at the far post, but he seemed to lack the will to really attack it.
Danny Andrew had a couple of long-range efforts, and then had our first chance after the break which forced a good save from the Telford keeper Ryan Young.
Graham came more in to the game as time went on and was again the best of the triallists with his keenness to run at players, and had an experienced full-back in the former Hereford player Ryan Valentine to contend with.
In this game more than the other two, he also showed more awareness, looking to end his runs with a cross or shot, and had a couple of efforts which went over the bar.
I definitely feel he is worth persevering with, and would hope that Mark Yates will take him to Wales.
Of the others, I would not take Nathan Elder or Oli on their showings today, while Harry Hooman and Luke Bottomer are borderline.
Hooman did little wrong in the game but with Elliott, Gallinagh, Bennett and Keith Lowe who can all play at centre-half, I would question the need for a fifth-choice centre half when other areas are more pressing.
Bottomer was very good at Cirencester, less so at Stourbridge and even less so in the 27 minutes he had after replacing Kaid Mohamed on the right. My reservations with him is size and physicality.
That was one of four changes we made with Keith Lowe replacing Danny Andrew, Junior Smikle replacing David Bird and, most tellingly, Jeff Goulding coming on for Nathan Elder.
Within a minute of coming on, the ball fell for Goulding 35 yards out and he produced a sublime lob over Young into the net, the celebration afterwards as nonchalant as the goal itself.
More substitutions followed with scholar Matt Williams coming on for Andy Gallinagh, Theo Lewis replacing Oli and later on Scott Wilson replaced Bagasan Graham and another scholar Keiran Thomas came on for Michael Pook.
So the side that finished was Green; Lowe, Williams, Hooman, Haynes (switched to left back when Keith Lowe came on); Thomas, Smikle, Lewis; Wilson, Bottomer; Goulding.
The equaliser, scored by Adam Proudlock with the last kick of the game was a small downer, but all in all it was a satisfactory performance against a competitive Telford side with some decent players.
Aside from the triallists, I would pick out Kyle Haynes as having had a decent game both defensively and looking to get forward, and he also adapted well to switching sides.
The manager was pleased after the game and would not reveal at this stage which triallists would be staying on, saying probably one or two, so maybe Graham and one other may be heading for Wales.
It seems that the loan striker is still on schedule, and Mark also revealed that he has made an offer for another player, who is a free agent, but there was no clue on position, age or former club, the manager adding that he is waiting for an answer.
So it is clear that the recruitment drive is not yet over as the pre-season preparations roll on to Bristol City on Tuesday night.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
All a bit sour at Stour
It was a strange evening from the off at the War Memorial Ground.
From the moment the man on the tannoy asked for helpers afterwards to 'demolish' the ground ready for tomorrow's cricket game, it was never going to be a normal evening.
Due to the cricket, they very rarely play home pre-season friendlies, which is probably why they were 'up' for it, and why a decent crowd of 328 were there to witness it.
We last played there in the Southern League in April, 1984 - and after the 2-0 defeat tonight, I am sure there are a few doom-mongers predicting that we will soon be back there again.
I was probably there in 1984 but can't remember it. Hopefully come May after a season where we defy the bookies again and maybe have a decent Cup run, the memory of this visit will have faded as well.
It would be fair to say that we weren't very good. People will look at 'Stourbridge 2 Cheltenham 0' printed on the net and in the papers and immediately jump to ridiculous conclusions that relegation is in the offing.
But it's July. No points were won and lost - all that matters is August 6, and what happens from then on. Keep telling yourself that and everything will be fine.
Yesterday, the team had a three-hour training session in the morning, then went to the Prince of Wales Stadium and ran eight lots of 800 metres round the track. That's four miles.
For the past two weeks, as Mark Yates had warned them, they have been worked very hard indeed, with daily double sessions and no days off, building up the core fitness that will see them through until May, and hopefully avoid a repeat of that slump we suffered after Christmas last year.
As I took up my position at deep fine leg (for the right-hander), the team sheet showed that our first half line up was Scott Brown in goal, Dave Bird, Alan Bennett, Andy Gallinagh and Danny Andrew across the back, Brian Smikle, Russ Penn, Marlon Pack and triallist Bagasan Graham across the middle, with trialist Nathan Elder and Kaid Mohamed up front.
Sido Jombati (ribs) was the latest absentee as he followed Ethan Moore (ill) and Steve Elliott (knee) to the sidlelines, but Kaid Mohamed got his first taste of action.
Following on from his little cameo at Cirencester, triallist Bagasan Graham was the bright spot of the first half, with three of four decent runs from deep.
What I like about him is his directness, and his being left-footed is another advantage.
He is very raw, but when he gets the ball, his first thought is to run at people and take them on.
One of his runs ended with a great cross which Brian Smikle just failed to reach with his head, although he was offside.
There were more good signs of a partnership forming between our quarterback Marlon Pack and the all-action Russ Penn, who was popping up everywhere before - slightly worryingly - going off with a thigh injury.
Interestingly, they were again paired together while other combinations were chopped and changed, more proof (if any were actually needed) that they will be the central pairing for Gillingham and beyond.
We fell behind to a 14th minute goal from Josh Craddock, who glanced in a corner but should have levelled when Elder was put in by Bird, but he very disappointingly failed to finish.
Elder, as with the other triallists, will be given another chance on Saturday at Telford, but he will have to show a lot more I feel to extend his stay beyond then.
Alongside him, Mohamed looked off the pace, not surprising after his slight injury, but did have one good run and shot early on.
Our other new arrival Alan Bennett was solid enough at the back again, while Penn's injury gave an earlier than expected outing to another triallist Luke Bottomer as Smikle moved more central.
Bottomer again showed his feistiness and fearlessness, both putting in and receiving some meaty challenges but was not as effective as on Saturday - he has a bit of the David Huttons about him and you wonder whether he will have the physicality for League Two.
The second half line-up saw Mike Green, formerly with Bristol Rovers and a loan spell with Gloucester, in goal with Kyle Haynes, triallist Harry Hooman, Keith Lowe and Josh Low across the back. In midfield Bottomer was on the right with Theo Lewis, Michael Pook and second-year scholar Jacob Morgan making up the midfield and Jeff Goulding up front with triallist Scott Wilson.
But early in the half, Goulding suffered a hamstring problem and went off, so we played the last 30-35 minutes with 10 men, which left young Wilson, from the Bristol City Academy, up front on his own.
I felt sorry for the lad - a slightly smaller version of Shaun Jeffers - as his big chance to impress now saw him ploughing a lone furrow, but he battled on gamely and I hope he gets a better opportunity at Telford.
At the back, Hooman did little wrong, as this time it was Josh Low's short back-pass which proved costly as Aaron Drake rounded Green for the second goal.
Theo Lewis was guilty of an incredible miss, finding the side netting after rounding the keeper, and no-one shone at all in the second half.
Morgan on the left tried hard, and credit to Josh Low for encouraging him throughout and almost talking him through the half. It was good to see a senior pro helping out a youngster in that way.
So that was that, and there is no getting away from the fact that is was a sluggish performance - although interviewing Marlon Pack afterwards you could see by looking at him that he was absolutely exhausted from the two weeks of double training sessions, running and games they have had.
After the game, Yatesy revealed the eight lots of 800 metres at the Prince of Wales that they had been subjected to yesterday, admitting that maybe they had got that a little wrong, and that they had gone into this game having been worked a little too hard.
But fitness and getting players time on the pitch is what these games are all about, so a 2-0 defeat is not the end of the world and should not mean too much in the grand scheme of things.
Doubts remain about the goal threat up front, especially as we have yet to see Moore this pre-season and now Goulding has limped off, so the news that our loan striker's arrival had been delayed is a disappointment.
But Mark said afterwards that he hopes it will go through this time next week, as it has all been agreed with the club and the player, but a couple of injuries mean he gets a pre-season tour with his club then should be heading this way.
So it's not all doom and gloom. Honest...
A team in red and white stripes did win the game, after all.
From the moment the man on the tannoy asked for helpers afterwards to 'demolish' the ground ready for tomorrow's cricket game, it was never going to be a normal evening.
Due to the cricket, they very rarely play home pre-season friendlies, which is probably why they were 'up' for it, and why a decent crowd of 328 were there to witness it.
We last played there in the Southern League in April, 1984 - and after the 2-0 defeat tonight, I am sure there are a few doom-mongers predicting that we will soon be back there again.
I was probably there in 1984 but can't remember it. Hopefully come May after a season where we defy the bookies again and maybe have a decent Cup run, the memory of this visit will have faded as well.
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| The main stand at Stourbridge's Amblecote ground |
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| The cricket pavilion and square on the other side of the unique three-sided War Memorial Ground |
It would be fair to say that we weren't very good. People will look at 'Stourbridge 2 Cheltenham 0' printed on the net and in the papers and immediately jump to ridiculous conclusions that relegation is in the offing.
But it's July. No points were won and lost - all that matters is August 6, and what happens from then on. Keep telling yourself that and everything will be fine.
Yesterday, the team had a three-hour training session in the morning, then went to the Prince of Wales Stadium and ran eight lots of 800 metres round the track. That's four miles.
For the past two weeks, as Mark Yates had warned them, they have been worked very hard indeed, with daily double sessions and no days off, building up the core fitness that will see them through until May, and hopefully avoid a repeat of that slump we suffered after Christmas last year.
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| Former West Brom and England striker Cyrille Regis was watching the game - I resisted the temptation to ask if he fancied a game up front ... |
As I took up my position at deep fine leg (for the right-hander), the team sheet showed that our first half line up was Scott Brown in goal, Dave Bird, Alan Bennett, Andy Gallinagh and Danny Andrew across the back, Brian Smikle, Russ Penn, Marlon Pack and triallist Bagasan Graham across the middle, with trialist Nathan Elder and Kaid Mohamed up front.
Sido Jombati (ribs) was the latest absentee as he followed Ethan Moore (ill) and Steve Elliott (knee) to the sidlelines, but Kaid Mohamed got his first taste of action.
Following on from his little cameo at Cirencester, triallist Bagasan Graham was the bright spot of the first half, with three of four decent runs from deep.
What I like about him is his directness, and his being left-footed is another advantage.
He is very raw, but when he gets the ball, his first thought is to run at people and take them on.
One of his runs ended with a great cross which Brian Smikle just failed to reach with his head, although he was offside.
There were more good signs of a partnership forming between our quarterback Marlon Pack and the all-action Russ Penn, who was popping up everywhere before - slightly worryingly - going off with a thigh injury.
Interestingly, they were again paired together while other combinations were chopped and changed, more proof (if any were actually needed) that they will be the central pairing for Gillingham and beyond.
We fell behind to a 14th minute goal from Josh Craddock, who glanced in a corner but should have levelled when Elder was put in by Bird, but he very disappointingly failed to finish.
Elder, as with the other triallists, will be given another chance on Saturday at Telford, but he will have to show a lot more I feel to extend his stay beyond then.
Alongside him, Mohamed looked off the pace, not surprising after his slight injury, but did have one good run and shot early on.
Our other new arrival Alan Bennett was solid enough at the back again, while Penn's injury gave an earlier than expected outing to another triallist Luke Bottomer as Smikle moved more central.
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| Jeff Goulding's appearance was brief before he suffered a hamstring injury |
Bottomer again showed his feistiness and fearlessness, both putting in and receiving some meaty challenges but was not as effective as on Saturday - he has a bit of the David Huttons about him and you wonder whether he will have the physicality for League Two.
The second half line-up saw Mike Green, formerly with Bristol Rovers and a loan spell with Gloucester, in goal with Kyle Haynes, triallist Harry Hooman, Keith Lowe and Josh Low across the back. In midfield Bottomer was on the right with Theo Lewis, Michael Pook and second-year scholar Jacob Morgan making up the midfield and Jeff Goulding up front with triallist Scott Wilson.
But early in the half, Goulding suffered a hamstring problem and went off, so we played the last 30-35 minutes with 10 men, which left young Wilson, from the Bristol City Academy, up front on his own.
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| Scott Wilson, on trial from Bristol City |
I felt sorry for the lad - a slightly smaller version of Shaun Jeffers - as his big chance to impress now saw him ploughing a lone furrow, but he battled on gamely and I hope he gets a better opportunity at Telford.
At the back, Hooman did little wrong, as this time it was Josh Low's short back-pass which proved costly as Aaron Drake rounded Green for the second goal.
Theo Lewis was guilty of an incredible miss, finding the side netting after rounding the keeper, and no-one shone at all in the second half.
Morgan on the left tried hard, and credit to Josh Low for encouraging him throughout and almost talking him through the half. It was good to see a senior pro helping out a youngster in that way.
So that was that, and there is no getting away from the fact that is was a sluggish performance - although interviewing Marlon Pack afterwards you could see by looking at him that he was absolutely exhausted from the two weeks of double training sessions, running and games they have had.
After the game, Yatesy revealed the eight lots of 800 metres at the Prince of Wales that they had been subjected to yesterday, admitting that maybe they had got that a little wrong, and that they had gone into this game having been worked a little too hard.
But fitness and getting players time on the pitch is what these games are all about, so a 2-0 defeat is not the end of the world and should not mean too much in the grand scheme of things.
Doubts remain about the goal threat up front, especially as we have yet to see Moore this pre-season and now Goulding has limped off, so the news that our loan striker's arrival had been delayed is a disappointment.
But Mark said afterwards that he hopes it will go through this time next week, as it has all been agreed with the club and the player, but a couple of injuries mean he gets a pre-season tour with his club then should be heading this way.
So it's not all doom and gloom. Honest...
A team in red and white stripes did win the game, after all.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Under way at last
So, after two months of waiting, hoping and - let's face it - utter boredom, Cheltenham Town are finally back in action.
The result against Cirencester at the Corinium Stadium was a 1-1 draw but that is the least important part of these pre-season games.
It certainly does not mean, like someone ridiculously commented as they walked past me after the game, that 'we will be in the Conference if we play like that'. Fool.
We saw 43 players over the 90 minutes, and only Cirencester's goalkeeper Danny Greaves got the whole game, so it is nowhere near the time to be making stupid, rash judgements on anything, or anyone - especially how the season will pan out with a month to go before the real kick-off.
Mark Yates was without Steve Elliott (knee injury), Ethan Moore (illness) and Kaid Mohamed, who took a knock after a kick from Marlon Pack in training.
We saw six traillists, while ex-Forest Green goalkeeper Ryan Robinson played for the second half, but Yatesy stressed he will not be signing - he is just doing us a favour (and vice versa, as he is looking for a new club).
The first half line-up was Scott Brown in goal, Kyle Haynes, triallist Harry Hooman and Alan Bennett and Sido Jombati across the back, traillist Luke Bottomer on the right, Marlon Pack and Russ Penn in the middle and Josh Low on the left, with Theo Lewis and Jeff Goulding up front.
The star of the first half was undoubtedly Marlon Pack. He was pinging passes from left to right, and linked up very well with Russ Penn, which augurs well for he season, even at this early stage.
Both were taking turns to get forward while the other took on the holding role, Penn doing so to good effect in the 23rd minute when he was in the right place to tap in a goal after Jeff Goulding's shot was saved.
Down the right hand side, Kyle Haynes linked up well with Luke Bottomer, who made up for what he may lack with height by showing plenty of feistiness and effort.
The former Coventry player could have had himself a couple of goals in the first half but looked to take players on and may be worth another look.
Alan Bennett looked very strong in the air and composed on the ground, but the former Shrewsbury player Harry Hooman alongside him made one big error (yes, a Hooman error - copyright James Young) which nearly cost a goal but for two good Scott Brown blocks.
Down the left, Sido Jombati got forward at every opportunity and looks a good athlete. He and Josh Low linked up well with Josh showing his skills to fool his full-back a couple of times and get some decent crosses in. He also hit the post just before half-time.
Theo Lewis buzzed about with some purpose alongside Jeff Goulding, who looked a bit isolated as Theo looked to drop off and Jeff also fell victim to a few offsides.
The second half saw us line up with Ryan Robinson in goal, David Bird at right-back, Keith Lowe and Andy Gallinagh in the middle and Danny Andrew at left-back. Junior Smike started down the right, with Michael Pook and triallist Ben Evans in the middle and another triallist Bagasan Graham on the left.
Two triallists were up front, the tiny Keir McSorley and the giant Nathan Elder.
Midway through the half, Smikle and McSorley swapped, with Junior supporting Elder up front.
The back four were solid enough, although Keith Lowe got the ball stuck under his feet a little to allow Tyler Sheppard to finish for Cirencester's equaliser with 15 minutes left.
Bagasan Graham, who used to be on QPR's books, looks to have good physique and bags (no pun intended) of pace, as he showed when he ran at people, but the doubt may be about the end product.
In the centre, the game seemed to pass Ben Evans and Michael Pook by a little, while Junior Smikle was busy, and set up some chances for Nathan Elder, but headed a good chance over.
Keir McSorley was also a bit-part player and missed a good chance from a good Danny Andrew cross, while Nathan Elder was more prominent.
Elder, who is a giant figure with a look of the Damian Spencers about him, had a good penalty shout turned down, then forced a save from Danny Greaves after Smikle set him up.
After Cirencester's equaliser, he was saved embarrassment after missing a sitter by the offside flag after a good move involving Graham and Smikle, but he showed decent touch and held the ball up well to bring others into play.
After the game, Yatesy said he was very pleased with what he had seen, especially in the first half, picking out the partnership between Russ Penn and Marlon Pack as a highlight.
On the triallists, Mark said he would be taking a decision on some quickly, so we may not see a few of them again on Tuesday at Stourbridge.
In my opinion, Luke Bottomer, Bagasan Graham and Nathan Elder are the ones I would have another look at.
Mark added that he hopes to tie up a loan signing for a striker on Tuesday or Wednesday this week "providing everything went well at his club today" - so hopefully we might see him next Saturday at Telford.
On the goalkeeper, Mark said the player he wants will not be here until very close to the start of the season, but will be "good competition" for Scott Brown.
The next game is on Tuesday at Stourbridge, and Mark said that he will again be looking to give players 45 minutes each, before things step up a bit, starting at Telford on Saturday.
The result against Cirencester at the Corinium Stadium was a 1-1 draw but that is the least important part of these pre-season games.
It certainly does not mean, like someone ridiculously commented as they walked past me after the game, that 'we will be in the Conference if we play like that'. Fool.
We saw 43 players over the 90 minutes, and only Cirencester's goalkeeper Danny Greaves got the whole game, so it is nowhere near the time to be making stupid, rash judgements on anything, or anyone - especially how the season will pan out with a month to go before the real kick-off.
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| Mark Yates watches the game at Cirencester with injured centre-half Steve Elliott sat behind him. |
Mark Yates was without Steve Elliott (knee injury), Ethan Moore (illness) and Kaid Mohamed, who took a knock after a kick from Marlon Pack in training.
We saw six traillists, while ex-Forest Green goalkeeper Ryan Robinson played for the second half, but Yatesy stressed he will not be signing - he is just doing us a favour (and vice versa, as he is looking for a new club).
The first half line-up was Scott Brown in goal, Kyle Haynes, triallist Harry Hooman and Alan Bennett and Sido Jombati across the back, traillist Luke Bottomer on the right, Marlon Pack and Russ Penn in the middle and Josh Low on the left, with Theo Lewis and Jeff Goulding up front.
The star of the first half was undoubtedly Marlon Pack. He was pinging passes from left to right, and linked up very well with Russ Penn, which augurs well for he season, even at this early stage.
Both were taking turns to get forward while the other took on the holding role, Penn doing so to good effect in the 23rd minute when he was in the right place to tap in a goal after Jeff Goulding's shot was saved.
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| Russ Penn (far left) has just scored for us |
Down the right hand side, Kyle Haynes linked up well with Luke Bottomer, who made up for what he may lack with height by showing plenty of feistiness and effort.
The former Coventry player could have had himself a couple of goals in the first half but looked to take players on and may be worth another look.
Alan Bennett looked very strong in the air and composed on the ground, but the former Shrewsbury player Harry Hooman alongside him made one big error (yes, a Hooman error - copyright James Young) which nearly cost a goal but for two good Scott Brown blocks.
Down the left, Sido Jombati got forward at every opportunity and looks a good athlete. He and Josh Low linked up well with Josh showing his skills to fool his full-back a couple of times and get some decent crosses in. He also hit the post just before half-time.
Theo Lewis buzzed about with some purpose alongside Jeff Goulding, who looked a bit isolated as Theo looked to drop off and Jeff also fell victim to a few offsides.
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| Marlon Pack gets ready to play a crossfield ball |
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| Alan Bennett plays a forward pass |
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| Triallist Bagasan Graham |
Midway through the half, Smikle and McSorley swapped, with Junior supporting Elder up front.
The back four were solid enough, although Keith Lowe got the ball stuck under his feet a little to allow Tyler Sheppard to finish for Cirencester's equaliser with 15 minutes left.
Bagasan Graham, who used to be on QPR's books, looks to have good physique and bags (no pun intended) of pace, as he showed when he ran at people, but the doubt may be about the end product.
In the centre, the game seemed to pass Ben Evans and Michael Pook by a little, while Junior Smikle was busy, and set up some chances for Nathan Elder, but headed a good chance over.
Keir McSorley was also a bit-part player and missed a good chance from a good Danny Andrew cross, while Nathan Elder was more prominent.
Elder, who is a giant figure with a look of the Damian Spencers about him, had a good penalty shout turned down, then forced a save from Danny Greaves after Smikle set him up.
After Cirencester's equaliser, he was saved embarrassment after missing a sitter by the offside flag after a good move involving Graham and Smikle, but he showed decent touch and held the ball up well to bring others into play.
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| Triallist Keir McSorley with Nathan Elder also in the picture |
On the triallists, Mark said he would be taking a decision on some quickly, so we may not see a few of them again on Tuesday at Stourbridge.
In my opinion, Luke Bottomer, Bagasan Graham and Nathan Elder are the ones I would have another look at.
Mark added that he hopes to tie up a loan signing for a striker on Tuesday or Wednesday this week "providing everything went well at his club today" - so hopefully we might see him next Saturday at Telford.
On the goalkeeper, Mark said the player he wants will not be here until very close to the start of the season, but will be "good competition" for Scott Brown.
The next game is on Tuesday at Stourbridge, and Mark said that he will again be looking to give players 45 minutes each, before things step up a bit, starting at Telford on Saturday.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Sido signs up
Last week, my blog post 'A deflating summer' told of my frustrations at our summer recruitment - but in the past 48 hours, things have definitely looked up.
I was worried about the fact that we seemed to be going into pre-season with several holes in our squad, and with a lack of experience.
But now we have two more new signings, taking us to 18 players signed on for the new campaign, and things are definitely looking more positive.
The first new arrival, as alluded to in yesterday's post, was Alan Bennett, a 29-year-old, six-foot-two-inch centre-half with experience at Brentford and Wycombe of getting out of this division.
While it may be stretching it a little to say that he will be going for the hat-trick this season, it is clear that he will know his way around this level.
Watching his video interview on the Echo website with Jon Palmer, it seems that this was a very quickly-arranged move - a call from Yatesy last week, a trip down and then pen to paper on a contract.
This signing seems to have poured water on the theory pursued by some Robins fans that Yatesy is unable to sell the club to potential signings.
Bennett had a decent offer from a club back in his native Ireland, from where he took the much-trodden route from Cork to Reading which Shane Long and Kevin Doyle took with a bit more success - costing the Royals £250,000.
He didn't play for Reading, but did turn out for Brentford, Southampton and Wycombe, picking up two Irish caps against Ecuador and Bolivia.
So, all in all, a decent pedigree - and just the sort of experience I was bemoaning the lack of in the previous blog post.
He played 20 games for Wycombe last season, and 23 for Wycombe and Brentford the season before - but whether that suggests a few injuries or just squad rotation is unclear.
Let's hope it is the latter, as the last thing we need is another Martin Riley - someone who will break every two or three games - especially as it seems that Bennett is emerging as a front-runner to be the captain next season.
The other new arrival, confirmed today, is a very interesting signing.
Sido Jombati is a Portuguese untility player from Bath City, signed on a one year deal for a nominal fee.
The feedback I have had on Twitter from Bath fans has been very positive - they are sorry to see him go, but viewed it as inevitable that he would leave for a League club.
Apparently, Crawley, AFC Wimbledon, Scunthorpe, Swindon and Northampton were all sniffing around, yet he has come to us, which proves to me that money is not his number one driver, as all the others would probably give him more dough.
It seems, from his website interview, that the great Archie Howells' words, along with those of a couple of our other ex-players at Bath - take your pick from Marley Watkins, Adam Connolly, Alex Russell and Scott Murray - may have swayed his decision.
Predictably, some of the comments I have seen on Facebook from our fans have been less positive, so what's new there, and someone I know described it as 'shopping at Poundland'.
We shall see, and I will be interested to see where he slots in, as he seems to be able to play at full-back, left or right, in midfield in a defensive or attacking role, or out wide as well
So following on from the Portuguese waiters who played for the reserves in a 4-3 thriller in the fog at Worcester under Steve Cotterill in the late 90s, we now have another player from Portugal...
The only slight disappointment is that we have given him a one-year contract - but I would imagine it is one of those which will trigger a second year if he plays a certain number of games.
Mark Yates said he wanted 20 players but hoped to squeeze in another, and it seems that Jombati is the 'bonus' signing as that makes 18 players. Now the question starts about how many more we can expect to arrive.
Scrutiny of the numbers on the training kit being worn by the players during pre-season has thrown up three gaps - numbers 9, 12 and 14.
Logical thinking then would say a striker, goalkeeper and a winger could still be in the pipeline, and Mark Yates has already said he is confident of bringing in a couple of six-month loans.
My bet is that they would be the goalkeeper and the striker, from higher-level clubs, and the winger would be the last permanent arrival - maybe Jake Thomson, as Mark has said he is under consideration.
Intriguingly as well, Mark said he would have to wait for one of the loanees as 'something had come up which was exciting for the lad'.
A theory that was put to me to explain this comment was that the player could be a member of one of the England age-group teams which have been competing this summer - most likely the under 19s, as the under 17s would be too young and, let's face it, we would be too small a club for an under 21 international to come to.
Now this could all be utter tosh, but there might be a little nugget in there somewhere heading our way...
That would mean nothing for any of the five triallists we have, Luke Bottomer, Bagasan Graham, Harry Hooman (who played for Bath at Cleeve the other night), Ben Evans and Keir McSorley, who are all young lads who seem to be here to make the numbers up for the friendlies and do some fitness work.
They would have to be pretty exceptional to get a contract, and we will probably find out at Cirencester... four days to go!
I was worried about the fact that we seemed to be going into pre-season with several holes in our squad, and with a lack of experience.
But now we have two more new signings, taking us to 18 players signed on for the new campaign, and things are definitely looking more positive.
The first new arrival, as alluded to in yesterday's post, was Alan Bennett, a 29-year-old, six-foot-two-inch centre-half with experience at Brentford and Wycombe of getting out of this division.
While it may be stretching it a little to say that he will be going for the hat-trick this season, it is clear that he will know his way around this level.
Watching his video interview on the Echo website with Jon Palmer, it seems that this was a very quickly-arranged move - a call from Yatesy last week, a trip down and then pen to paper on a contract.
This signing seems to have poured water on the theory pursued by some Robins fans that Yatesy is unable to sell the club to potential signings.
Bennett had a decent offer from a club back in his native Ireland, from where he took the much-trodden route from Cork to Reading which Shane Long and Kevin Doyle took with a bit more success - costing the Royals £250,000.
He didn't play for Reading, but did turn out for Brentford, Southampton and Wycombe, picking up two Irish caps against Ecuador and Bolivia.
So, all in all, a decent pedigree - and just the sort of experience I was bemoaning the lack of in the previous blog post.
He played 20 games for Wycombe last season, and 23 for Wycombe and Brentford the season before - but whether that suggests a few injuries or just squad rotation is unclear.
Let's hope it is the latter, as the last thing we need is another Martin Riley - someone who will break every two or three games - especially as it seems that Bennett is emerging as a front-runner to be the captain next season.
The other new arrival, confirmed today, is a very interesting signing.
Sido Jombati is a Portuguese untility player from Bath City, signed on a one year deal for a nominal fee.
The feedback I have had on Twitter from Bath fans has been very positive - they are sorry to see him go, but viewed it as inevitable that he would leave for a League club.
Apparently, Crawley, AFC Wimbledon, Scunthorpe, Swindon and Northampton were all sniffing around, yet he has come to us, which proves to me that money is not his number one driver, as all the others would probably give him more dough.
It seems, from his website interview, that the great Archie Howells' words, along with those of a couple of our other ex-players at Bath - take your pick from Marley Watkins, Adam Connolly, Alex Russell and Scott Murray - may have swayed his decision.
Predictably, some of the comments I have seen on Facebook from our fans have been less positive, so what's new there, and someone I know described it as 'shopping at Poundland'.
We shall see, and I will be interested to see where he slots in, as he seems to be able to play at full-back, left or right, in midfield in a defensive or attacking role, or out wide as well
So following on from the Portuguese waiters who played for the reserves in a 4-3 thriller in the fog at Worcester under Steve Cotterill in the late 90s, we now have another player from Portugal...
The only slight disappointment is that we have given him a one-year contract - but I would imagine it is one of those which will trigger a second year if he plays a certain number of games.
Mark Yates said he wanted 20 players but hoped to squeeze in another, and it seems that Jombati is the 'bonus' signing as that makes 18 players. Now the question starts about how many more we can expect to arrive.
Scrutiny of the numbers on the training kit being worn by the players during pre-season has thrown up three gaps - numbers 9, 12 and 14.
Logical thinking then would say a striker, goalkeeper and a winger could still be in the pipeline, and Mark Yates has already said he is confident of bringing in a couple of six-month loans.
My bet is that they would be the goalkeeper and the striker, from higher-level clubs, and the winger would be the last permanent arrival - maybe Jake Thomson, as Mark has said he is under consideration.
Intriguingly as well, Mark said he would have to wait for one of the loanees as 'something had come up which was exciting for the lad'.
A theory that was put to me to explain this comment was that the player could be a member of one of the England age-group teams which have been competing this summer - most likely the under 19s, as the under 17s would be too young and, let's face it, we would be too small a club for an under 21 international to come to.
Now this could all be utter tosh, but there might be a little nugget in there somewhere heading our way...
That would mean nothing for any of the five triallists we have, Luke Bottomer, Bagasan Graham, Harry Hooman (who played for Bath at Cleeve the other night), Ben Evans and Keir McSorley, who are all young lads who seem to be here to make the numbers up for the friendlies and do some fitness work.
They would have to be pretty exceptional to get a contract, and we will probably find out at Cirencester... four days to go!
Monday, 4 July 2011
Football is back!
July 4. 7.30pm. Kayte Lane, Bishop's Cleeve.
Football is back.
Real football. Not on the TV, not the Under 17 World Cup, the Women's World Cup, the North American Gold Cup, or the Copa America, but white-hot pre-season action.
Bishop's Cleeve v Bath City - and judging by the decent crowd which turned up to watch I am not the only person who has been missing their fix.
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| Scott Murray (foreground) at Kayte Lane for Bath v Bishop's Cleeve |
There was even a sprinkling of Cheltenham Town legends (and not so legends) on the pitch, dugouts and in the crowd - so many that it was almost possible to pick a team out of them.
Goalkeeper was a problem (Phil Church offered - and will probably get the job having played 11 and a half minutes once in a pre-season friendly at Smiths) but at right back would be (out of position) Michael Jackson, a sub for Cleeve.
At centre half, the pairing of Cleeve's (player) coach Steve Jones, and, among the crowd, Mark Buckland, with left-back being filled by Cirencester's assistant boss Kevin Willetts.
It will have to be a five-man midfield - Marley Watkins, who appeared in the second half for Bath, and Scott Murray, a sprightly first half performer at 37 years old, on the wings.
In the centre, a handy trio - Lee Howells, Bath's assistant manager, John Finnigan, an interested observer, and Bath's new recruit Alex Russell - those three edging out Bath's Adam Connolly. But only just (!!).
Up front would be the one and only Dave Lewis.
It was an honour as ever to be served my pint of Stowford Press by CTFC's 290-goal record goalscorer, who then informed us later that could we hurry up and leave as he wanted to get back home to catch up on his recorded episodes of Coronation Street. Legend.
Pre-season never started this early for the Flying Pig in his days leading the CTFC attack, but times have changed a bit, and Cleeve recorded a notable 3-2 win in a game where Bath totally changed their team for both halves, and Cleeve made about 8 substitutions.
Stuart Midwinter had the honour of scoring the first goal of my season in the second minute, and Lee Davis (once on CTFC's books and watched by his dad Mike, our former assistant boss) notched a penalty two minutes later making it 2-0.
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| Lee Davis scores a penalty to put Cleeve two up |
Gethin Jones pulled a goal back, then just before half-time Elliott Kennedy pounced on a horrendous error from the Bath keeper Glyn Garner to score the third for Cleeve.
Right on half-time, Lewis Hogg pulled one back, but there were no more goals in the second half.
But it's good to be back, and the roadshow has started.
Next stop Cirencester on Saturday as Cheltenham get their preparations under way, and it will be a first look at the new boys Russ Penn, Kaid Mohamed and the latest arrival Alan Bennett.
No, not the playwright, but the 29 year old former Cork milkman with Republic of Ireland caps against Ecuador and Bolivia.
Yes,THAT Alan Bennett.
From the feedback I have had on Twitter, he sounds like the experienced head we have been looking for at the back, and is also captaincy material by the sounds of it.
We have another new arrival coming tomorrow - but all I know about him is that he has a weird name, comes from non-League and Crawley and AFC Wimbledon wanted him, so watch this space.
He was at training today, wearing training kit number 22, so is already bedded in with us, which is a good thing, and seems to be in addition to the goalkeeper-winger-striker hunt Mark Yates has been on.
So that's two bits of positive news this week as we gear up for the pre-season fun to get under way in earnest.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
A deflating summer
Tomorrow, Cheltenham Town's players return to pre-season training. The 10-month slog starts here.
Among them, will be our two new faces, Russ Penn and Kaid Mohamed, our returning new face Marlon Pack and our young tyro Ethan Moore.
In May, we released Dan Lloyd-Weston, Martin Riley, Frankie Artus, JJ Melligan and Jake Lee, while Wes Thomas opted to increase his salary somewhat with a move to Crawley.
Add to that the position of Michael Pook, to all intents and purposes released, and more or less persona non grata, but still pulling in a decent wage given to him by the previous manager.
So that is six (and a half with Pook) players out, and, so far, four players in (one a youth team graduate).
So I think I am justified in calling 2011 a deflating summer. Another one.
It's not quite on a par with John Ward's summer of discontent when Lee Ridley arrived then we scrambled about to sign Andy Lindegaard, but forgive me if I don't get out the bunting.
Every summer the mantra is the same - there will be more players than ever looking for clubs this summer; there will be some real bargains out there; there will some top players up for grabs.
All that may be true - but they all go elsewhere.
They do that every summer as the same depressing pattern is repeated over and over again.
Cheltenham fans raise their hopes that this summer will be different - that the squad will look stronger come the start of pre-season than it did in May - but every summer that wish seems to be dashed.
I know that Mark Yates and Neil Howarth have been working tirelessly this summer talking to players and agents, but the cynic in me would suggest that the main reason Russ Penn signed for us as he has played for Mark before at Kidderminster.
Don't get me wrong though, I am delighted we got him.
My devil's advocate would suggest further that we got Marlon Pack solely because he was on loan with us - had that not happened, let's face it, no way would he have come to us. Same again, he is a great signing though.
But Kaid Mohamed is a gamble - probably a cheap one. A player who, at 26, is desperate for a shot at the Football League. Probably his last chance to make it.
Of course I hope he does well, and hope I end up eating my words, but I see him as a bigger gamble than Wes, as he is three years older and even less experienced at this level.
He might come off as Wes and Justin Richards (goals-wise if not attitude) did for Mark, and as James Constable and Matthew Barnes-Homer did for him at Kidderminster - but then again, he might not.
So here we sit, hours before pre-season, two players down on where we ended the season, and hoping that pre-season will see Mark pull some rabbits out of a hat.
I am sure there will be some triallists at Seasons hoping to catch Mark's eye, and already he has said that we are going to look at a couple of six-month loans - a sign, I am afraid, if we needed to be told, that Cheltenham Town cannot compete with their fellow League Two sides for experienced players.
Earlier this summer, I went through the retained lists and churned out a list of names who I felt represented the sort of players we needed.
There were about 60 or 70 names in that piece, we got one of them, Russ Penn.
Now, I don't know how many others we went for apart from two, Jack Midson, who ended up at AFC Wimbledon, and Ashley Grimes, who was too expensive and went to Rochdale in the league above, so fair enough.
Mark said in the Echo the other day that experience is the key to success in League Two - very true, but we can't afford any of it.
The players we had last season, the likes of Danny Andrew, Keith Lowe, Marlon Pack, Brian Smikle and Jeff Goulding, will come back more experienced - but they have not got five or six full seasons of League football behind them.
In most cases, last season was the first time they have played 30 or 40 games at this level.
Yes, we have Dave Bird, Steve Elliott and Andy Gallinagh, all with more than 100 games behind them.
A lot more in Bird and Elliott's case, but in an ideal world only Elliott would be classed as a first-team regular next season.
Scott Brown still does not have any competition for the goalkeeping spot, which I am sure will delight his legions of fans on the Whaddon Road terraces, we still don't have a partner for Elliott, no one to get down the flank, beat a man and whip in a cross, and no one to help Jeff Goulding stick them away.
It makes me laugh now when I think back to the play-off wins at the Millennium, when fans said we could establish ourselves in League One.
Back then, the board were castigated for not throwing money at it, for not spending big and trying to consolidate us at that level. Some still go back and point to that as the start of the problems.
Even now, I hear fans saying we should be competing with teams like Yeovil, with Rochdale, with Leyton Orient, all of whom have gone up and stayed there.
But when we were there the first time, we had an ageing team, lost our best-ever manager and could not build a new team overnight in our financial state.
The second time, we had to bust a gut for three seasons trying to chase an impossible dream.
John Ward and then Keith Downing performed heroics and ran themselves into the ground trying to keep us up - every week the players had to play at 120 per cent to scramble the points.
In Downing's case, three loans of Alex Russell, Richard Keogh and Steve Brooker (apparently at a combined £2000 a week) did the trick, but Keith was left drained and had nothing left to give the following season, hence our dreadful start.
Then we brought in the previous manager, threw money at him and nearly bankrupted ourselves, which has left us where are now, seemingly struggling to compete with teams like Hereford, Accrington, Barnet and Macclesfield.
So let's not run before we can walk - I'm afraid we have to forget promotion this season, forget the play-offs.
As of now I would rip your hand off for 22nd - and it takes a lot for me, one of the most optimistic CTFC fans you will find, and frequently criticised for my 'rose-tinted' views, to write that.
I can't remember a League Two which has looked so strong on paper, and where clubs seem to have been pushing the boat out to assemble squads.
We don't have a boat to push out (maybe one of those £3.99 inflatable dinghys you get from the beach) - that is the reality, and that is what Cheltenham fans must wake up to.
What this summer has been is a big reality check to where Cheltenham Town stand in the pecking order of League football.
It has rammed home the message that we are not a big club in Football League terms as some fans bang on that we are. In fact, we are one of the smallest.
There are still fans of other clubs who forget we are even in the League - and once again we have to battle against the odds, as the bookies, for the umpteenth season in a row, have us as favourites for the drop.
I hope against hope we can prove them wrong once again, but I see this season shaping up to be probably the toughest we have had in our Football League adventure.
Good luck to Mark, Neil and the players - please prove me wrong.
Among them, will be our two new faces, Russ Penn and Kaid Mohamed, our returning new face Marlon Pack and our young tyro Ethan Moore.
In May, we released Dan Lloyd-Weston, Martin Riley, Frankie Artus, JJ Melligan and Jake Lee, while Wes Thomas opted to increase his salary somewhat with a move to Crawley.
Add to that the position of Michael Pook, to all intents and purposes released, and more or less persona non grata, but still pulling in a decent wage given to him by the previous manager.
So that is six (and a half with Pook) players out, and, so far, four players in (one a youth team graduate).
So I think I am justified in calling 2011 a deflating summer. Another one.
It's not quite on a par with John Ward's summer of discontent when Lee Ridley arrived then we scrambled about to sign Andy Lindegaard, but forgive me if I don't get out the bunting.
Every summer the mantra is the same - there will be more players than ever looking for clubs this summer; there will be some real bargains out there; there will some top players up for grabs.
All that may be true - but they all go elsewhere.
They do that every summer as the same depressing pattern is repeated over and over again.
Cheltenham fans raise their hopes that this summer will be different - that the squad will look stronger come the start of pre-season than it did in May - but every summer that wish seems to be dashed.
I know that Mark Yates and Neil Howarth have been working tirelessly this summer talking to players and agents, but the cynic in me would suggest that the main reason Russ Penn signed for us as he has played for Mark before at Kidderminster.
Don't get me wrong though, I am delighted we got him.
My devil's advocate would suggest further that we got Marlon Pack solely because he was on loan with us - had that not happened, let's face it, no way would he have come to us. Same again, he is a great signing though.
But Kaid Mohamed is a gamble - probably a cheap one. A player who, at 26, is desperate for a shot at the Football League. Probably his last chance to make it.
Of course I hope he does well, and hope I end up eating my words, but I see him as a bigger gamble than Wes, as he is three years older and even less experienced at this level.
He might come off as Wes and Justin Richards (goals-wise if not attitude) did for Mark, and as James Constable and Matthew Barnes-Homer did for him at Kidderminster - but then again, he might not.
So here we sit, hours before pre-season, two players down on where we ended the season, and hoping that pre-season will see Mark pull some rabbits out of a hat.
I am sure there will be some triallists at Seasons hoping to catch Mark's eye, and already he has said that we are going to look at a couple of six-month loans - a sign, I am afraid, if we needed to be told, that Cheltenham Town cannot compete with their fellow League Two sides for experienced players.
Earlier this summer, I went through the retained lists and churned out a list of names who I felt represented the sort of players we needed.
There were about 60 or 70 names in that piece, we got one of them, Russ Penn.
Now, I don't know how many others we went for apart from two, Jack Midson, who ended up at AFC Wimbledon, and Ashley Grimes, who was too expensive and went to Rochdale in the league above, so fair enough.
Mark said in the Echo the other day that experience is the key to success in League Two - very true, but we can't afford any of it.
The players we had last season, the likes of Danny Andrew, Keith Lowe, Marlon Pack, Brian Smikle and Jeff Goulding, will come back more experienced - but they have not got five or six full seasons of League football behind them.
In most cases, last season was the first time they have played 30 or 40 games at this level.
Yes, we have Dave Bird, Steve Elliott and Andy Gallinagh, all with more than 100 games behind them.
A lot more in Bird and Elliott's case, but in an ideal world only Elliott would be classed as a first-team regular next season.
Scott Brown still does not have any competition for the goalkeeping spot, which I am sure will delight his legions of fans on the Whaddon Road terraces, we still don't have a partner for Elliott, no one to get down the flank, beat a man and whip in a cross, and no one to help Jeff Goulding stick them away.
It makes me laugh now when I think back to the play-off wins at the Millennium, when fans said we could establish ourselves in League One.
Back then, the board were castigated for not throwing money at it, for not spending big and trying to consolidate us at that level. Some still go back and point to that as the start of the problems.
Even now, I hear fans saying we should be competing with teams like Yeovil, with Rochdale, with Leyton Orient, all of whom have gone up and stayed there.
But when we were there the first time, we had an ageing team, lost our best-ever manager and could not build a new team overnight in our financial state.
The second time, we had to bust a gut for three seasons trying to chase an impossible dream.
John Ward and then Keith Downing performed heroics and ran themselves into the ground trying to keep us up - every week the players had to play at 120 per cent to scramble the points.
In Downing's case, three loans of Alex Russell, Richard Keogh and Steve Brooker (apparently at a combined £2000 a week) did the trick, but Keith was left drained and had nothing left to give the following season, hence our dreadful start.
Then we brought in the previous manager, threw money at him and nearly bankrupted ourselves, which has left us where are now, seemingly struggling to compete with teams like Hereford, Accrington, Barnet and Macclesfield.
So let's not run before we can walk - I'm afraid we have to forget promotion this season, forget the play-offs.
As of now I would rip your hand off for 22nd - and it takes a lot for me, one of the most optimistic CTFC fans you will find, and frequently criticised for my 'rose-tinted' views, to write that.
I can't remember a League Two which has looked so strong on paper, and where clubs seem to have been pushing the boat out to assemble squads.
We don't have a boat to push out (maybe one of those £3.99 inflatable dinghys you get from the beach) - that is the reality, and that is what Cheltenham fans must wake up to.
What this summer has been is a big reality check to where Cheltenham Town stand in the pecking order of League football.
It has rammed home the message that we are not a big club in Football League terms as some fans bang on that we are. In fact, we are one of the smallest.
There are still fans of other clubs who forget we are even in the League - and once again we have to battle against the odds, as the bookies, for the umpteenth season in a row, have us as favourites for the drop.
I hope against hope we can prove them wrong once again, but I see this season shaping up to be probably the toughest we have had in our Football League adventure.
Good luck to Mark, Neil and the players - please prove me wrong.
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