I suppose many Cheltenham fans would have gone home from the Theatre of Shattered Dreams cursing the name of Jock Waugh after his decision not to give a foul as Kevin Ellison burst through for the winner.
Yes, it looked to me too like he blatantly shoved Russ Penn out the way before going through and firing a blinding shot into the corner, but that was only part of the story.
It was a great finish by Ellison, whose arrival at half-time was a tactical masterstroke by his manager Jim Bentley, who in an instant negated our best attacking threat in the first half - Keith Lowe.
Lowe had been marauding almost at will down their right hand side and fired in some decent crosses which we failed to make the most of, and ultimately paid the price for wasting. In the second half, with Ellison to deal with, he barely crossed the halfway line.
Territorially we had the better of the first half but we failed to score when we were on top, frequently over-elaborating around the box, and seemingly lacking the conviction to pull the trigger.
Yes, we sent balls across, played some nice moves around their box, hit the bar with a deflected Russ Penn shot, but how many times was Barry Roche properly tested?
In the first half, the only goalkeeper to make a real flying save was Scott Brown - a brilliant effort to keep out Phil Jevons' header.
Darryl Duffy came close a couple of times, as did Marlon Pack, and we nearly got on the end of a couple of corners, but we didn't really extend Roche.
After the break we continued in the same confident vein, and it seemed that surely we had to go in front. But no - as so often happens in these situations - we fell behind.
Jeff Goulding missed his kick on the edge of the box, then criminally pulled out of a challenge with Izak Reid - and his cross was headed in by Nick Fenton.
How would we react to this? Well, the answer was to completely lose our shape, drop the work rate and start shirking challenges all over the field.
Goulding lost the ball on the halfway line then bizarrely appeared to almost walk off the pitch, while Josh Low and Kaid Mohamed were equally culpable - and Scott Brown's save stopped Danny Carlton putting us two down.
Mark Yates withdrew Low and Mohamed and Goulding woke up sufficiently to fire an equaliser, and that woke us back up again - in fact we looked like we might snatch a winner but Bagasan Graham's cross was inches away from Duffy's toe.
Then came that late sucker punch. A great run topped off by a brilliant finish - albeit with a foul in between, and let's hope it was also a wake up call for one or two of our players who think they can coast casually through games that you can't, not in this league.
Games in League Two are won with application, effort and work rate for 90 minutes, like they displayed on Saturday. You do not win games playing pretty stuff for an hour and you certainly cannot carry any passengers.
Blame the referee all you like for not giving the foul - and I thought it was the only thing he got wrong all night - but some of the keys to this defeat lie a bit closer to home.
Player by player
Scott Brown: Superb save in the first half from Jevons' header and in the second from Carlton's shot. No chance with either goal.
Keith Lowe: Excellent in the first half with some great crosses and good defensively all night. Threat negated by Ellison's arrival at half-time and hardly crossed halfway line after the break.
Danny Andrew: Did well but got ragged towards the end. Set pieces still not of same quality as last season. Not to blame for winner - left exposed and tried to force Ellison wide.
Steve Elliott: Very good again, winning his headers and looking after Jevons and Carlton well. Again a threat in their box as well from set-pieces.
Alan Bennett: See above.
Josh Low: Still not started the season. Four games now, and contribution in each has been at best negligible. One or two flashes but that was it. Most of the time too casual and ineffective.
Marlon Pack: Superb in first half, winning tackles and prompting our best moves. Shaky in second as midfield lost shape after their first goal.
Russ Penn: Also excellent in first half, breaking up play with usual commitment. Deflected shot hit the bar and fouled for the winner, also set up the equaliser. Picked up third booking.
Kaid Mohamed: One-trick pony whose trick (to get the ball and run head long at defenders) is not working at the moment. Needs to cut out the fancy dan stuff and up his application and work rate.
Jeff Goulding: Horrendous air shot followed by bottling out of a challenge led to their first goal. Then lost the ball on halfway line and seemed to almost give up and walk off the pitch. Good equaliser, yes, but needs to cut out the petulant stuff. Fortunate that Jimmy Spencer has 2 games of his ban left and we have no other strikers.
Darryl Duffy: With a bit more luck could have had a hat-trick. Good awareness and movement and I am convinced the goals will come, just needs one to set him off.
Subs
Bagasan Graham (for Josh Low 74): Good to see Bags getting a run out. Looked a bit overawed at times, but one great turn and cross was inches from being turned in by Darryl Duffy.
Brian Smikle (for Kaid Mohamed 79): More effort and application in 11 minutes than Kaid showed in 79. Not everyone's cup of tea I know, but at least he battles and puts it in for the team.
Positives: The first hour, when we put together some great moves and were unlucky not to be a goal or two up. Darryl Duffy was bright again, and in the first half, Keith Lowe, Russ Penn and Marlon Pack were dominant.
Negatives: The way heads went down and some players disappeared between their first goal and our equaliser, which was sadly reminiscent of some games last season. We just lost our shape and, more disappointingly, our appetite for those 20 minutes or so. Lack of threat from our wide men throughout. We relied too much on our full-backs to give us width. We created lots of openings - but sometimes seemed to lack the conviction and confidence to pull the trigger and have a shot, almost wanting to score the perfect goal. Crowd was 2035, our lowest ever FL attendance, with 44 from Morecambe. Not a great reward after Sat's win, but I suppose it was the third game in a week at home.
Summary: A real kick in the teeth after the way we played for the first hour. But you have to take your chances, or it will come back to bite you. Worried by the way our heads dropped and with it the work rate and application after their goal - some players definitely need to buck their ideas up quickly or Mark needs to take some action and bench them. Over the 90 minutes, we did not deserve to lose the game, but we have to be prepared to battle throughout the game, not just for parts of it.
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Derby day delight
After the on-off-on again shenanigans of Thursday, this 1-0 win over Swindon Town tastes more sweet than any 'normal' win would.
Quite ridiculously that was our first Saturday home win in the league since October 9 last year, when Junior Smikle's goal beat Northampton - such has been our appalling form on our own patch.
Most of the defeats since then were tame surrenders but there was none of that today and it was good to see us battling tooth and nail for every ball, especially in the second half.
We even scored from a corner, and that simply NEVER happens - and let's face it nothing was going to stop Steve Elliott's progress towards that ball from Marlon Pack.
But it was good to see our centre-halves getting on the end of one at last - and that is what we need, more goals from different areas and I would hope Elliott and Alan Bennett could aim for eight goals between them this season.
Bennett nearly got one too, his header producing a great save from Phil Smith near the end of the first half after we had weathered Swindon's early storm.
I must admit that after 15-20 minutes I was worried that we were going to be on the end of a two or three goal hammering as Alan McCormack hit the post, while Oliver Risser and Raffelle De Vita went close as well and we were struggling to get to grips with them.
But from then on we competed much better - and eventually won the battle and with that, the game.
Mark Yates made a couple of changes after the defeats at Gillingham, with Russ Penn finally getting his start but I thought it a little harsh on Luke Summerfield and that Josh Low was lucky to stay in the side.
Up front, Darryl Duffy started ahead of Jeff Goulding, which was fair enough as Jeff hadn't really shone in the opening two games.
But Swindon started better and we could not have complained if they had gone one, or maybe two up early on, but we finished the half strongly with the Bennett save and Danny Andrew's free-kick going close as well.
Having conceded early in the second half on Tuesday it was good to see us starting strongly this time and getting the goal early on.
After that you could visibly see us grow in confidence and while Swindon tried to throw everything at us after that, Scott Brown in truth had few direct saves to make.
A big reason for that was the defence in front of him who were outstanding, especially Elliott, who probably had his best game for us.
Brown's only alarm was when he failed to meet a cleverly-worked free kick and Aden Flint beat him to it but headed over.
However, I feel Swindon could be aggreived at the referee's decision not to give them a penalty when Billy Bodin went over in the box. It certainly looked stonewall from where I was.
Jimmy Spencer's red card made the last eight minutes a bit more awkward, as Swindon went to three up front with £100,000 man Alan Connell coming on, but they seemed a bit lightweight in attack.
On the red card, Spencer definitely led with his arm but there didn't seem to be much contact despite Flint holding his face - at least until the red card went up, then he seemed perfectly alright again. Strange that.
But the red card should not distract from the performance, one of our best at home for a long time and a display which definitely gives us something to build on.
Managers' views
Mark Yates: "There were two committed and decent teams on the field today so we had to battle, scrap and dig in at times. Marlon Pack and Russell Penn were excellent in central midfield against two very competitive and very good players. They dominated and got onto the ball very competitively and were the heartbeat of the team. We've been working hard on the set-pieces and the quality of the run and the delivery for the goal was spot on. I thought we deserved to come out on top and it was a well deserved victory."
Paulo di Canio: "I was happy for the first 25 minutes because the team did what we wanted. We put them under pressure. If you don't take your chances at any level it's difficult. We didn't believe in ourselves, we lost the confidence."
Player by player
Scott Brown: Recovered from Tuesday's error with a good display. Handling was good under pressure and did what he had to with confidence. Just one slight worrying moment but otherwise safe and secure.
Keith Lowe: Yet another steady display. Coped well with Matt Ritchie and then Etienne Esajas down Swindon's left and got forward well to aid our attacks when needed.
Danny Andrew: Good game. Positioning was much better and nearly scored with a free-kick. Has made a good start to the season.
Steve Elliott: Outstanding. Won just about every header and made some great blocks and interceptions. Fabulous header for the goal. In my opinion, his best game for us.
Alan Bennett: A great foil for Elliott, sweeping up what little the big man missed. Nearly scored with a header, denied by a great save.
Josh Low: Better than in opening two games, but that's not saying much. Still not on top of his game, but was up for the battle and put in a good shift.
Russ Penn: Showed why he had to be in the side with a gutsy display. Never shirked out of anything and with Marlon Pack won the battle in midfield.
Marlon Pack: Very influential in the second half as he and Penn dominated McCormack and Risser. Great corner for the goal.
Kaid Mohamed: Disappointing going forward as he was unable to get much change out of Paul Caddis. But put in a decent shift with some good defensive work.
Jimmy Spencer: Worked hard again, and could have had a goal in the second half but shot saved. Led with his arm for red card although I don't think there was much contact, but red was probably fair enough.
Darryl Duffy: Did well I thought. Showed good touch and willingness to work hard and I am confident goals will come from him.
SUBSTITUTES
Jeff Goulding (for Duffy 61): A few good touches and a couple of shots when he came on, left on his own when Spencer was sent off. Will get place back now..!
Junior Smikle (for Mohamed 77): Put in some good, strong tackles and helped shore things up late on.
Positives: The three points of course! A goal from a corner, which has been a rarity, and the central midfield pair of Pack and Penn showing great battling qualities. Defensively we looked very solid and it was good to see us grinding out a result.
Negatives: Very few, if any. Was a bit disappointed by the attendance figure, 4402, minus 1582 from Swindon means around 2820 CTFC fans. Would have liked to have seen the crowd top 4500, but hopefully if we play like that more regularly, crowds will increase. Spencer's red card was a shame but he is only 19 and it's part of his learning process.
Summary: A great way to start the home league campaign. Elliott, Bennett, Pack and Penn all outstanding, but everyone did their bit. Something to build on - hopefully more of the same on Tuesday against Morecambe.
Quite ridiculously that was our first Saturday home win in the league since October 9 last year, when Junior Smikle's goal beat Northampton - such has been our appalling form on our own patch.
Most of the defeats since then were tame surrenders but there was none of that today and it was good to see us battling tooth and nail for every ball, especially in the second half.
We even scored from a corner, and that simply NEVER happens - and let's face it nothing was going to stop Steve Elliott's progress towards that ball from Marlon Pack.
But it was good to see our centre-halves getting on the end of one at last - and that is what we need, more goals from different areas and I would hope Elliott and Alan Bennett could aim for eight goals between them this season.
Bennett nearly got one too, his header producing a great save from Phil Smith near the end of the first half after we had weathered Swindon's early storm.
I must admit that after 15-20 minutes I was worried that we were going to be on the end of a two or three goal hammering as Alan McCormack hit the post, while Oliver Risser and Raffelle De Vita went close as well and we were struggling to get to grips with them.
But from then on we competed much better - and eventually won the battle and with that, the game.
Mark Yates made a couple of changes after the defeats at Gillingham, with Russ Penn finally getting his start but I thought it a little harsh on Luke Summerfield and that Josh Low was lucky to stay in the side.
Up front, Darryl Duffy started ahead of Jeff Goulding, which was fair enough as Jeff hadn't really shone in the opening two games.
But Swindon started better and we could not have complained if they had gone one, or maybe two up early on, but we finished the half strongly with the Bennett save and Danny Andrew's free-kick going close as well.
Having conceded early in the second half on Tuesday it was good to see us starting strongly this time and getting the goal early on.
After that you could visibly see us grow in confidence and while Swindon tried to throw everything at us after that, Scott Brown in truth had few direct saves to make.
A big reason for that was the defence in front of him who were outstanding, especially Elliott, who probably had his best game for us.
Brown's only alarm was when he failed to meet a cleverly-worked free kick and Aden Flint beat him to it but headed over.
However, I feel Swindon could be aggreived at the referee's decision not to give them a penalty when Billy Bodin went over in the box. It certainly looked stonewall from where I was.
Jimmy Spencer's red card made the last eight minutes a bit more awkward, as Swindon went to three up front with £100,000 man Alan Connell coming on, but they seemed a bit lightweight in attack.
On the red card, Spencer definitely led with his arm but there didn't seem to be much contact despite Flint holding his face - at least until the red card went up, then he seemed perfectly alright again. Strange that.
But the red card should not distract from the performance, one of our best at home for a long time and a display which definitely gives us something to build on.
Managers' views
Mark Yates: "There were two committed and decent teams on the field today so we had to battle, scrap and dig in at times. Marlon Pack and Russell Penn were excellent in central midfield against two very competitive and very good players. They dominated and got onto the ball very competitively and were the heartbeat of the team. We've been working hard on the set-pieces and the quality of the run and the delivery for the goal was spot on. I thought we deserved to come out on top and it was a well deserved victory."
Paulo di Canio: "I was happy for the first 25 minutes because the team did what we wanted. We put them under pressure. If you don't take your chances at any level it's difficult. We didn't believe in ourselves, we lost the confidence."
Player by player
Scott Brown: Recovered from Tuesday's error with a good display. Handling was good under pressure and did what he had to with confidence. Just one slight worrying moment but otherwise safe and secure.
Keith Lowe: Yet another steady display. Coped well with Matt Ritchie and then Etienne Esajas down Swindon's left and got forward well to aid our attacks when needed.
Danny Andrew: Good game. Positioning was much better and nearly scored with a free-kick. Has made a good start to the season.
Steve Elliott: Outstanding. Won just about every header and made some great blocks and interceptions. Fabulous header for the goal. In my opinion, his best game for us.
Alan Bennett: A great foil for Elliott, sweeping up what little the big man missed. Nearly scored with a header, denied by a great save.
Josh Low: Better than in opening two games, but that's not saying much. Still not on top of his game, but was up for the battle and put in a good shift.
Russ Penn: Showed why he had to be in the side with a gutsy display. Never shirked out of anything and with Marlon Pack won the battle in midfield.
Marlon Pack: Very influential in the second half as he and Penn dominated McCormack and Risser. Great corner for the goal.
Kaid Mohamed: Disappointing going forward as he was unable to get much change out of Paul Caddis. But put in a decent shift with some good defensive work.
Jimmy Spencer: Worked hard again, and could have had a goal in the second half but shot saved. Led with his arm for red card although I don't think there was much contact, but red was probably fair enough.
Darryl Duffy: Did well I thought. Showed good touch and willingness to work hard and I am confident goals will come from him.
SUBSTITUTES
Jeff Goulding (for Duffy 61): A few good touches and a couple of shots when he came on, left on his own when Spencer was sent off. Will get place back now..!
Junior Smikle (for Mohamed 77): Put in some good, strong tackles and helped shore things up late on.
Positives: The three points of course! A goal from a corner, which has been a rarity, and the central midfield pair of Pack and Penn showing great battling qualities. Defensively we looked very solid and it was good to see us grinding out a result.
Negatives: Very few, if any. Was a bit disappointed by the attendance figure, 4402, minus 1582 from Swindon means around 2820 CTFC fans. Would have liked to have seen the crowd top 4500, but hopefully if we play like that more regularly, crowds will increase. Spencer's red card was a shame but he is only 19 and it's part of his learning process.
Summary: A great way to start the home league campaign. Elliott, Bennett, Pack and Penn all outstanding, but everyone did their bit. Something to build on - hopefully more of the same on Tuesday against Morecambe.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Thugs 0 Fans 1
Well, well. What a surreal evening it has been.
I was still lamenting the calling off of the Swindon game on Saturday, when a tweet from Jon Palmer (Echo CTFC reporter) pops up saying the game is back on.
My initial reaction is 'What?' and the fact that Jon sent it meant it had to be true - and it is!
Police statement is here: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150255593706245
Whatever the whys and wherefores, I am glad that common sense has prevailed and well done to the club for persevering and for anything they did to cause the police's U-turn.
It will save the club from losing a decent crowd and a lot of money, and has also saved a lot of credibility for Glos Police - as ours was to have been the only game bar Tottenham's called off.
Now we need all CTFC fans who can get there to reward the club by going to WR on Saturday and getting behind the team.
I was still lamenting the calling off of the Swindon game on Saturday, when a tweet from Jon Palmer (Echo CTFC reporter) pops up saying the game is back on.
My initial reaction is 'What?' and the fact that Jon sent it meant it had to be true - and it is!
Police statement is here: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150255593706245
Whatever the whys and wherefores, I am glad that common sense has prevailed and well done to the club for persevering and for anything they did to cause the police's U-turn.
It will save the club from losing a decent crowd and a lot of money, and has also saved a lot of credibility for Glos Police - as ours was to have been the only game bar Tottenham's called off.
Now we need all CTFC fans who can get there to reward the club by going to WR on Saturday and getting behind the team.
Thugs 1 Fans 0
So the thugs have won.
My initial reaction to Gloucestershire Police's decision to withdraw their resources from Saturday's game with Swindon is that it is a complete joke.
Yes, that may be knee-jerk, but when you look around the country and see other police forces able to help other forces stretched by the actions of the sub-human in our society yet not have to call off games, it is very annoying indeed.
There has been trouble in Nottingham this week, yet the Forest-County Carling Cup game went ahead on Tuesday night with 20,000 in the ground. Never even a hint of that game being called off. Same goes for Leeds v Bradford in midweek.
Yet in Bristol, where there had also been trouble, City and Rovers' games went by the wayside, as Avon and Somerset Police were unable to police it.
On Saturday, Portsmouth play Brighton at Fratton Park, going ahead, no problem. Birmingham v Coventry at St Andrews, going ahead, no problem.
Tottenham v Everton is the ONLY other game that has been called off. Understandable as that was the seat of this outbreak of criminality and probably the scene of the only legitimate public anger.
The High Road has been closed most of the week so there is no complaints from me on that one - same for the London Carling Cup games that were off in the week as the situation remained volatile.
But the Premier League and Football League games are on in London tomorrow. They are on in Birmingham over the weekend, and Manchester, and Liverpool. All places where disorder has been far greater than here.
Where is the consistency? It all smacks of double standards and almost of our police force looking for an excuse.
Almost a case of 'It's only football'. If it had been a race day, would that have been called off? I doubt it. Gloucester rugby would still have played as well.
There is trouble in Cheltenham town centre every Friday and Saturday night. So are all the pubs and clubs closing this weekend? No? Thought not.
We had a few windows put through in Barton Street and the old Gloscat building set on fire. Bad yes, but hardly Beirut is it?
We should be sending a message out to these scumbags that they will not win, but this sends the other message. Things need to get back to normal.
It suggests to me that our police force are being sent elsewhere in the country so other areas are protected - and so other football clubs who don't need the money as much as we do can get their games played.
It makes our police force look like a laughing stock - and leaves the football club with a massive financial shortfall.
Swindon had sold more than 1,500 tickets - add that to maybe 2,500-3,000 of our fans, and we were looking at a 4,000-plus crowd.
Add to that bar, food and programme takings, sales of the new shirt, hospitality and sponsorships sold and other things - our club loses out and I expect (and I hope) that Paul Baker is absolutely spitting.
Are the police force going to compensate us for this loss of vital revenue? Are they going to discount this off their over-inflated policing bill? Of course they are not.
The game will now be played on a Tuesday night, when the crowd will probably be 800 or so down on what it would have been this weekend, probably competing with Champions League football, so that will also rule out the armchair Man U fans from coming.
Less gate money, less bar takings, less hospitality, less everything. It was a premium game, so you can probably take something like £10,000 off what we might have been expecting to make when everything is considered. We can't afford to lose that sort of money.
I know some will say 'it's just a football match, look at all the devastation' and I see that point.
But if games in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Nottingham can go ahead - big cities where there has been real devastation this week can go ahead, then why can't a game in 'sleepy' Gloucestershire??
My initial reaction to Gloucestershire Police's decision to withdraw their resources from Saturday's game with Swindon is that it is a complete joke.
Yes, that may be knee-jerk, but when you look around the country and see other police forces able to help other forces stretched by the actions of the sub-human in our society yet not have to call off games, it is very annoying indeed.
There has been trouble in Nottingham this week, yet the Forest-County Carling Cup game went ahead on Tuesday night with 20,000 in the ground. Never even a hint of that game being called off. Same goes for Leeds v Bradford in midweek.
Yet in Bristol, where there had also been trouble, City and Rovers' games went by the wayside, as Avon and Somerset Police were unable to police it.
On Saturday, Portsmouth play Brighton at Fratton Park, going ahead, no problem. Birmingham v Coventry at St Andrews, going ahead, no problem.
Tottenham v Everton is the ONLY other game that has been called off. Understandable as that was the seat of this outbreak of criminality and probably the scene of the only legitimate public anger.
The High Road has been closed most of the week so there is no complaints from me on that one - same for the London Carling Cup games that were off in the week as the situation remained volatile.
But the Premier League and Football League games are on in London tomorrow. They are on in Birmingham over the weekend, and Manchester, and Liverpool. All places where disorder has been far greater than here.
Where is the consistency? It all smacks of double standards and almost of our police force looking for an excuse.
Almost a case of 'It's only football'. If it had been a race day, would that have been called off? I doubt it. Gloucester rugby would still have played as well.
There is trouble in Cheltenham town centre every Friday and Saturday night. So are all the pubs and clubs closing this weekend? No? Thought not.
We had a few windows put through in Barton Street and the old Gloscat building set on fire. Bad yes, but hardly Beirut is it?
We should be sending a message out to these scumbags that they will not win, but this sends the other message. Things need to get back to normal.
It suggests to me that our police force are being sent elsewhere in the country so other areas are protected - and so other football clubs who don't need the money as much as we do can get their games played.
It makes our police force look like a laughing stock - and leaves the football club with a massive financial shortfall.
Swindon had sold more than 1,500 tickets - add that to maybe 2,500-3,000 of our fans, and we were looking at a 4,000-plus crowd.
Add to that bar, food and programme takings, sales of the new shirt, hospitality and sponsorships sold and other things - our club loses out and I expect (and I hope) that Paul Baker is absolutely spitting.
Are the police force going to compensate us for this loss of vital revenue? Are they going to discount this off their over-inflated policing bill? Of course they are not.
The game will now be played on a Tuesday night, when the crowd will probably be 800 or so down on what it would have been this weekend, probably competing with Champions League football, so that will also rule out the armchair Man U fans from coming.
Less gate money, less bar takings, less hospitality, less everything. It was a premium game, so you can probably take something like £10,000 off what we might have been expecting to make when everything is considered. We can't afford to lose that sort of money.
I know some will say 'it's just a football match, look at all the devastation' and I see that point.
But if games in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Nottingham can go ahead - big cities where there has been real devastation this week can go ahead, then why can't a game in 'sleepy' Gloucestershire??
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Dumped out by Dons
It all started so well...
So the Carling Cup adventure is over quickly once again as we lost to a decent MK Dons side.
Over the 90 minutes, I am not sure we deserved to lose 4-1, but we really only got going for a half-hour spell between the 10th and 40th minutes - and you don't win games playing well for half an hour.
In the opening 10 minutes, we seemed to be chasing shadows.
Mark Yates picked the same starting 11 from Saturday's defeat at Gillingham, but they were moving the ball around very nicely, cutting through us almost at will, and I was worried that we were on the way to a pasting.
Gleeson and Potter in central midfield seemed to have a lot of space and we were not closing them down sufficiently and they seemed to have licence to move the ball wide and cause us problems.
But gradually Marlon Pack and Luke Summerfield got to grips with them and we pushed higher up the pitch and started to put more pressure on - and got on top for the middle section of the half.
Summerfield will claim the goal - his shot hit Gary McKenzie and despite a valiant effort David Martin couldn't keep it out, and probably on balance we deserved to lead.
Jimmy Spencer could have scored a couple of times, once getting the ball caught under his feet and then having a shot saved by Martin, and the keeper tipped over Marlon Pack's shot.
But all that good work was undone after 40 minutes when Keith Lowe let Antonio Balanta get onto his right foot 20 yards out, and Scott Brown spilled the shot for Sam Baldock to tap in.
We were right behind it and it looked a routine shot for Browny to save - no deflection from our vantage point - and it is no good our players asking for offside. He should have caught it, end of.
That rocked us back on our heels and to be honest we never really recovered from it.
If we had managed to get to half-time at 1-0 up, things might have been different, but to be pegged back after having them on the back foot for a period of time was deflating.
Karl Robinson then sent his side out early after half-time, while we emerged late - and they were right on the money from our kick off as they went ahead after 27 seconds of the half.
Balanta got the ball on the left and the cross and finish from Jabo Ibehre (who I thought was impressive throughout and a real handful) was all to easy I'm afraid.
So we had gone from leading, and looking like increasing that lead, to trailing in the space of five and a half minutes either side of the break, and never recovered from it.
If that wasn't bad enough, we then let in two more in three minutes around the hour mark, and that killed the game totally.
The first came when Kaid Mohamed stopped, expecting a foul to be given - but the referee waved play on, the Dons broke and won a corner, from which Dean Lewington had an all-too-simple header to make it 3-1.
Then Ibehre attacked Danny Andrew and his cross was headed in by Balanta, returning the favour from goal number two.
All three goals were clinical, but scored a little too easily for my liking.
Russ Penn came on for Jeff Goulding and injected some fire into us, creating chances for himself and Kaid Mohamed by his sheer persistence.
Junior Smikle also came on, for Josh Low (again pretty anonymous) and could have had a goal but lifted his shot over the bar - and at least we created something towards the end, although the Dons had very much stepped off the gas.
It is understandable that we lost the game as the Dons have some quality players all over the pitch, but the manner of the goals we conceded was disappointing, especially as we got ourselves into a good position as half-time approached.
Player-by-player
Scott Brown - Horrendous error for equaliser. No chance with other three goals and also had communication breakdown with Keith Lowe early in the game which forced him to make a good save from Sam Baldock.
Keith Lowe - Allowed Balanta to get shooting chance which led to equaliser. Otherwise steady as ever. Some good moments coming forward with crosses which we didn't make most of.
Danny Andrew - Let cross into box for fourth goal a little too easily and struggled when Ibehre drifted on to his flank. Otherwise did OK, but again disappointing set-pieces. Picked up a booking.
Alan Bennett - Another solid game as I think Baldock is a handful. Some good interceptions and showing he will be a decent signing in time. But free headers for goals 3 and 4 a concern.
Steve Elliott - Did well I thought with Ibehre, but again free headers a concern as with Bennett above. Lack of pace exposed a couple of times.
Josh Low - Again anonymous until replaced midway through the half. One decent chance to cross wasted terribly. Place in side has to be under threat for Swindon.
Marlon Pack - Ran the game for 25 minutes in middle of first half. Unlucky when shot saved by Martin and showed quality touches. But largely anonymous after break as Dons swamped midfield.
Luke Summerfield - Claiming goal but it took huge deflection. Same with Pack - big influence in first half but not in second. Unsure if the two of them can play together in four-man midfield.
Kaid Mohamed - Direct and exciting at times, frustrating at others. Thought he had the beating of Adam Chicksen but not given ball enough. One great first half run nearly created a goal. Could have had two goals at the end - should definitely have scored one.
Jeff Goulding - Good link play including one great ball for Jimmy Spencer, but no real goal threat in their box. Two games now without a shot on goal.
Jimmy Spencer - As on Saturday, a willing runner and chaser of lost causes but cannot do it alone. Had two great chances, shame he could not take one as would be great boost for him. Sure he will be an asset when he beds in properly.
Subs
Russ Penn (for Goulding, 67 mins) - Made a big difference straight away. Got in their faces and made chances for himself and Kaid in last 20 minutes. HAS to start on Saturday.
Junior Smikle (for Low, 67 mins) - Worked hard as usual but again with little end product. Sent a good chance over the bar - should have at least hit the target.
Darryl Duffy (for Spencer, 84 mins) - Short cameo from Darryl, but little time to make an impact on the game.
Managers' view
So the Carling Cup adventure is over quickly once again as we lost to a decent MK Dons side.
Over the 90 minutes, I am not sure we deserved to lose 4-1, but we really only got going for a half-hour spell between the 10th and 40th minutes - and you don't win games playing well for half an hour.
In the opening 10 minutes, we seemed to be chasing shadows.
Mark Yates picked the same starting 11 from Saturday's defeat at Gillingham, but they were moving the ball around very nicely, cutting through us almost at will, and I was worried that we were on the way to a pasting.
Gleeson and Potter in central midfield seemed to have a lot of space and we were not closing them down sufficiently and they seemed to have licence to move the ball wide and cause us problems.
But gradually Marlon Pack and Luke Summerfield got to grips with them and we pushed higher up the pitch and started to put more pressure on - and got on top for the middle section of the half.
Summerfield will claim the goal - his shot hit Gary McKenzie and despite a valiant effort David Martin couldn't keep it out, and probably on balance we deserved to lead.
Jimmy Spencer could have scored a couple of times, once getting the ball caught under his feet and then having a shot saved by Martin, and the keeper tipped over Marlon Pack's shot.
But all that good work was undone after 40 minutes when Keith Lowe let Antonio Balanta get onto his right foot 20 yards out, and Scott Brown spilled the shot for Sam Baldock to tap in.
We were right behind it and it looked a routine shot for Browny to save - no deflection from our vantage point - and it is no good our players asking for offside. He should have caught it, end of.
That rocked us back on our heels and to be honest we never really recovered from it.
If we had managed to get to half-time at 1-0 up, things might have been different, but to be pegged back after having them on the back foot for a period of time was deflating.
Karl Robinson then sent his side out early after half-time, while we emerged late - and they were right on the money from our kick off as they went ahead after 27 seconds of the half.
Balanta got the ball on the left and the cross and finish from Jabo Ibehre (who I thought was impressive throughout and a real handful) was all to easy I'm afraid.
So we had gone from leading, and looking like increasing that lead, to trailing in the space of five and a half minutes either side of the break, and never recovered from it.
If that wasn't bad enough, we then let in two more in three minutes around the hour mark, and that killed the game totally.
The first came when Kaid Mohamed stopped, expecting a foul to be given - but the referee waved play on, the Dons broke and won a corner, from which Dean Lewington had an all-too-simple header to make it 3-1.
Then Ibehre attacked Danny Andrew and his cross was headed in by Balanta, returning the favour from goal number two.
All three goals were clinical, but scored a little too easily for my liking.
Russ Penn came on for Jeff Goulding and injected some fire into us, creating chances for himself and Kaid Mohamed by his sheer persistence.
Junior Smikle also came on, for Josh Low (again pretty anonymous) and could have had a goal but lifted his shot over the bar - and at least we created something towards the end, although the Dons had very much stepped off the gas.
It is understandable that we lost the game as the Dons have some quality players all over the pitch, but the manner of the goals we conceded was disappointing, especially as we got ourselves into a good position as half-time approached.
Player-by-player
Scott Brown - Horrendous error for equaliser. No chance with other three goals and also had communication breakdown with Keith Lowe early in the game which forced him to make a good save from Sam Baldock.
Keith Lowe - Allowed Balanta to get shooting chance which led to equaliser. Otherwise steady as ever. Some good moments coming forward with crosses which we didn't make most of.
Danny Andrew - Let cross into box for fourth goal a little too easily and struggled when Ibehre drifted on to his flank. Otherwise did OK, but again disappointing set-pieces. Picked up a booking.
Alan Bennett - Another solid game as I think Baldock is a handful. Some good interceptions and showing he will be a decent signing in time. But free headers for goals 3 and 4 a concern.
Steve Elliott - Did well I thought with Ibehre, but again free headers a concern as with Bennett above. Lack of pace exposed a couple of times.
Josh Low - Again anonymous until replaced midway through the half. One decent chance to cross wasted terribly. Place in side has to be under threat for Swindon.
Marlon Pack - Ran the game for 25 minutes in middle of first half. Unlucky when shot saved by Martin and showed quality touches. But largely anonymous after break as Dons swamped midfield.
Luke Summerfield - Claiming goal but it took huge deflection. Same with Pack - big influence in first half but not in second. Unsure if the two of them can play together in four-man midfield.
Kaid Mohamed - Direct and exciting at times, frustrating at others. Thought he had the beating of Adam Chicksen but not given ball enough. One great first half run nearly created a goal. Could have had two goals at the end - should definitely have scored one.
Jeff Goulding - Good link play including one great ball for Jimmy Spencer, but no real goal threat in their box. Two games now without a shot on goal.
Jimmy Spencer - As on Saturday, a willing runner and chaser of lost causes but cannot do it alone. Had two great chances, shame he could not take one as would be great boost for him. Sure he will be an asset when he beds in properly.
Subs
Russ Penn (for Goulding, 67 mins) - Made a big difference straight away. Got in their faces and made chances for himself and Kaid in last 20 minutes. HAS to start on Saturday.
Junior Smikle (for Low, 67 mins) - Worked hard as usual but again with little end product. Sent a good chance over the bar - should have at least hit the target.
Darryl Duffy (for Spencer, 84 mins) - Short cameo from Darryl, but little time to make an impact on the game.
Managers' view
| Mark Yates - "The scoreline was a little harsh but that's what happens when you play decent teams sometimes. We coped with a five minute period of pressure and then for 40 minutes we had them by the throat but we didn't score a couple of goals that we should have done." Positives - The half-hour spell between the 10th and 40th minutes of the game was excellent. We played some good stuff and created some good chances. Jimmy Spencer's performance was another plus. Negatives - Scott Brown's error for the equaliser, and Kaid Mohamed not playing to the whistle, which led to goals 1 and 3. They knocked the stuffing out of us. Slow start to second half - and we never got going again until we were 4-1 down. Summary - A game we probably were expected to lose, but after causing them problems we shot ourselves in the foot with some preventable goals. Brown has to look at himself for the equaliser and Yates must look more urgently at competition for him after that. We have to work harder to stop players running at us, and also to stop crosses coming into our box, then runners being allowed free headers. It happens too often. We have also to look at the balance of our midfield - can Pack and Summerfield play together? We HAVE to get Penn in the starting line-up on Saturday, while Low has to be in danger of the drop after two poor games where he has not had any influence. Mohamed has genuine pace and worries players, so give him the ball more and stop him drifting inside - keep him out wide where he can cause problems. I have concerns about where the goals will come from. Thomas was a striker who could make goals for himself, now it seems we have three strikers who all rely on service - so the onus is on the midfielders and wide men to provide it - Duffy especially is a 'box' player who relies on scraps. No scraps, no goals. Now for a big derby game with Swindon in front of what will be a decent crowd and a good atmosphere at WR on Saturday. Both games so far have had decent spells and some positives, but have also shown up a few flaws and weaknesses with individual errors and maybe also some tactical decisions not working. It promises to be an interesting game - and an important one as starting the season with three defeats would not be good. |
Sunday, 7 August 2011
One goal at Gills
In summary, our game at Gillingham was 90 minutes of low quality between two sides, neither of whom created very much, settled by a half-chance.
We weren't terrible, and we weren't great either - just sort of 'OK' really, and as you would expect after the first game of the season, there is plenty for Mark Yates to work on, and plenty to improve.
Gillingham were the same - I thought it was an even game where neither side can say they had a concerted spell of pressure and neither side can say they really got on top.
My main worry was that we failed to create a real clear-cut chance in the 90 minutes.
I can't remember Ross Flitney having a shot to save until a Danny Andrew shot in the last few minutes.
Scott Brown wasn't exactly over-employed - he saved a free header from Andrew Frampton and turned two Curtis Weston shots round the post and that was about it.
The journey to Kent was horrendous. We left at 9.30am and it was plain sailing until we hit the anti-clockwise M25, and at 1.30pm we were stuck in the queue for the Dartford crossing.
We were slightly fearful about missing kick-off and therefore the start of the commentary, but managed to get through and reached Priestfield at about 2.15pm - before the poor supporters' bus, which had to stop for the driver to take a break.
We arrived to the team news, which had two real surprises for me - Russ Penn being on the bench and Kaid Mohamed getting the nod.
Our newest recruit Luke Summerfield's selection ahead of Penn can only have been due to Penn's recent lack of match practice after his thigh injury - and I feel that might also have given Kaid his chance.
I thought Yatesy might have played Marlon Pack, Penn and Summerfield, and thought he might have tried 4-5-1 to match Gillingham's set-up, with Smikle and Josh Low joining them.
But the back five which picked itself - Brown, Keith Lowe, Alan Bennett, Steve Elliott and Danny Andrew - lined up with Low and Kaid wide, Pack and Summerfield in the middle and Jeff Goulding with Jimmy Spencer up front.
There was no goalkeeper named on the bench, with Dave Bird, Darryl Duffy, Penn, Smikle and Sido Jombati getting the nod, while Bags Graham, Harry Hooman and Theo Lewis also travelled.
In the first half, I felt the front two were left a little isolated, with at times a gap of 20-25 yards between them and the midfield.
We struggled to get the ball wide, hence Low and Kaid had little impact in the game, bar one run from Kaid which saw Flitney come out and save at his feet.
Pack and Summerfield have not played together much in pre-season and it looked that way as their passing was off radar and they struggled at times against Gillingham's three-man centre midfield.
It was an off-target Pack pass which led to the goal.
He tried to find Summerfield, but the pass went behind him and Gillingham exploited that space with Summerfield taken out of the game to break on us.
Joe Martin got the ball wide, the initial cross was cleared, then the ball was played into the box by Jack Payne and Danny Kedwell's dummy attempt rebounded off Bennett's legs straight to our former loanee Lewis Montrose. He turned and evaded Elliott's attempted block to steer it past Scot Brown.
Our first-half goal attempts were few and far between, a Pack free-kick went wide and Spencer had a volley attempt which he didn't catch properly and it skewed wide off the outside of his foot.
We were the better side in the second half, but Gillingham were happy to let us have the ball 30 yards from goal and soak up the pressure.
Again, our possession was bitty and were unable to string a move together and did not have the nous to find that killer ball to give our strikers any decent service.
Spencer had been booked in the first half and was taken off - probably to save him from being sent off - and Russ Penn came on.
To be honest, I thought this was a slightly strange change - I felt Darryl Duffy should have come on as it left us looking slightly unbalanced for a few minutes.
But Duffy did come on with Smikle for the last 12 minutes and we were back at 4-4-2 - and played against 10 for the last eight minutes.
Gillingham sub Luke Rooney sent Smikle flying on the edge of the box and it looked a bad challenge. Our players - especially Alan Bennett - were furious and Rooney was sent off.
Junior got straight up and did not make a meal of it, but was still ridiculously booed for the last few minutes.
However- we did not look like exploiting our one-man advantage despite winning a few corners and free-kicks and Gillingham held on quite comfortably - Brown's two saves from Weston saving us from losing by more.
Player-by-player
Scott Brown - No chance with the goal and did everything he had to. Kicking was better than it has been and made two good late saves.
Keith Lowe - His usual steady self. Had one chance with a header from a corner but could not get it on target.
Danny Andrew - Coped adequately with Danny Spiller and made some good forward runs. A bit rusty with his corner and free-kick delivery.
Alan Bennett - Thought he had a solid game. He and Elliott only had one striker in Kedwell to deal with, but think their partnership worked well.
Steve Elliott - See Bennett.
Josh Low - Disappointing. Never really got into the game at all. Can't remember him having a decent run or getting a cross in.
Marlon Pack - Unable to influence the game as we would have hoped. Passing a bit 'off' and gave away possession which led to the goal. Also off radar from set-pieces.
Luke Summerfield - Started with a cracking tackle in the opening 15 seconds of the game, but faded as the game went on - a match-fitness issue.
Kaid Mohamed - One or two decent runs and sent a shot over the bar, but had few chances to use his pace and get behind his full-back to cause problems.
Jimmy Spencer - Willing worker and got under the skin of the Gills' defenders, which wasn't a bad thing. Picked up a needless booking in frustration and was taken off partly for his own good.
Jeff Goulding - Worked hard but unable to influence the game or provide the link-up between midfield and attack, and didn't have a shot in the 90 minutes.
Subs - Russ Penn - replaced Spencer, 67 - Keen to make up for lost time when he came on! Flew into tackles from the off, notably one on Jack Payne which may have been a little too exuberant...
Junior Smikle - replaced Low, 79 - Usual effort when he came on. Was fouled for the sending-off.
Darryl Duffy - replaced Summerfield, 79 - Didn't really get into the game.
Managers' views
Mark Yates - "I thought we were the better team and very unlucky not to get anything from it. We had a couple of shots on the break but we dominated in the second half but we fell into the trap of just slinging it into the box when we had that extra man. But overall I'm pleased with the performance and the effort and some of the football we played."
Andy Hessenthaler - "Nice to get off to a winning start. We didn't really get our passing game together but at times you have to grind results out. They came and made it very difficult for us. To keep a clean sheet and three points, we're delighted. We're delighted for Lewis Montrose. He said he could get goals and he did that today. Second half they played from back to front quickly and made it difficult for us. We're not going to throw negatives at them, but you have to give the opposition credit."
Positives - I thought we competed well and there was good effort and commitment throughout. Defensively, we looked sound and defended better from set-pieces.
Negatives - Lack of threat out wide, hence lack of service for the front two, who looked isolated at times. Passing not good in midfield so we struggled to put many good moves together.
Summary - Disappointing to lose of course, but it's only the first game. We had four debutants in the side (one of whom only signed on Thursday) and two more came off the bench, so it will take a bit of time to gel. Yes, I know they have played together in pre-season, but this is a different intensity. Biggest worry was our lack of goal threat but that will improve as time goes on. I feel Gillingham will still be up near the top as they too get used to each other (they had 6 debutants in the starting side), and I felt we matched them for the majority of the game so I don't feel there is a need to be too downhearted.
We weren't terrible, and we weren't great either - just sort of 'OK' really, and as you would expect after the first game of the season, there is plenty for Mark Yates to work on, and plenty to improve.
Gillingham were the same - I thought it was an even game where neither side can say they had a concerted spell of pressure and neither side can say they really got on top.
My main worry was that we failed to create a real clear-cut chance in the 90 minutes.
I can't remember Ross Flitney having a shot to save until a Danny Andrew shot in the last few minutes.
Scott Brown wasn't exactly over-employed - he saved a free header from Andrew Frampton and turned two Curtis Weston shots round the post and that was about it.
The journey to Kent was horrendous. We left at 9.30am and it was plain sailing until we hit the anti-clockwise M25, and at 1.30pm we were stuck in the queue for the Dartford crossing.
We were slightly fearful about missing kick-off and therefore the start of the commentary, but managed to get through and reached Priestfield at about 2.15pm - before the poor supporters' bus, which had to stop for the driver to take a break.
We arrived to the team news, which had two real surprises for me - Russ Penn being on the bench and Kaid Mohamed getting the nod.
Our newest recruit Luke Summerfield's selection ahead of Penn can only have been due to Penn's recent lack of match practice after his thigh injury - and I feel that might also have given Kaid his chance.
I thought Yatesy might have played Marlon Pack, Penn and Summerfield, and thought he might have tried 4-5-1 to match Gillingham's set-up, with Smikle and Josh Low joining them.
But the back five which picked itself - Brown, Keith Lowe, Alan Bennett, Steve Elliott and Danny Andrew - lined up with Low and Kaid wide, Pack and Summerfield in the middle and Jeff Goulding with Jimmy Spencer up front.
There was no goalkeeper named on the bench, with Dave Bird, Darryl Duffy, Penn, Smikle and Sido Jombati getting the nod, while Bags Graham, Harry Hooman and Theo Lewis also travelled.
In the first half, I felt the front two were left a little isolated, with at times a gap of 20-25 yards between them and the midfield.
We struggled to get the ball wide, hence Low and Kaid had little impact in the game, bar one run from Kaid which saw Flitney come out and save at his feet.
Pack and Summerfield have not played together much in pre-season and it looked that way as their passing was off radar and they struggled at times against Gillingham's three-man centre midfield.
It was an off-target Pack pass which led to the goal.
He tried to find Summerfield, but the pass went behind him and Gillingham exploited that space with Summerfield taken out of the game to break on us.
Joe Martin got the ball wide, the initial cross was cleared, then the ball was played into the box by Jack Payne and Danny Kedwell's dummy attempt rebounded off Bennett's legs straight to our former loanee Lewis Montrose. He turned and evaded Elliott's attempted block to steer it past Scot Brown.
Our first-half goal attempts were few and far between, a Pack free-kick went wide and Spencer had a volley attempt which he didn't catch properly and it skewed wide off the outside of his foot.
We were the better side in the second half, but Gillingham were happy to let us have the ball 30 yards from goal and soak up the pressure.
Again, our possession was bitty and were unable to string a move together and did not have the nous to find that killer ball to give our strikers any decent service.
Spencer had been booked in the first half and was taken off - probably to save him from being sent off - and Russ Penn came on.
To be honest, I thought this was a slightly strange change - I felt Darryl Duffy should have come on as it left us looking slightly unbalanced for a few minutes.
But Duffy did come on with Smikle for the last 12 minutes and we were back at 4-4-2 - and played against 10 for the last eight minutes.
Gillingham sub Luke Rooney sent Smikle flying on the edge of the box and it looked a bad challenge. Our players - especially Alan Bennett - were furious and Rooney was sent off.
Junior got straight up and did not make a meal of it, but was still ridiculously booed for the last few minutes.
However- we did not look like exploiting our one-man advantage despite winning a few corners and free-kicks and Gillingham held on quite comfortably - Brown's two saves from Weston saving us from losing by more.
Player-by-player
Scott Brown - No chance with the goal and did everything he had to. Kicking was better than it has been and made two good late saves.
Keith Lowe - His usual steady self. Had one chance with a header from a corner but could not get it on target.
Danny Andrew - Coped adequately with Danny Spiller and made some good forward runs. A bit rusty with his corner and free-kick delivery.
Alan Bennett - Thought he had a solid game. He and Elliott only had one striker in Kedwell to deal with, but think their partnership worked well.
Steve Elliott - See Bennett.
Josh Low - Disappointing. Never really got into the game at all. Can't remember him having a decent run or getting a cross in.
Marlon Pack - Unable to influence the game as we would have hoped. Passing a bit 'off' and gave away possession which led to the goal. Also off radar from set-pieces.
Luke Summerfield - Started with a cracking tackle in the opening 15 seconds of the game, but faded as the game went on - a match-fitness issue.
Kaid Mohamed - One or two decent runs and sent a shot over the bar, but had few chances to use his pace and get behind his full-back to cause problems.
Jimmy Spencer - Willing worker and got under the skin of the Gills' defenders, which wasn't a bad thing. Picked up a needless booking in frustration and was taken off partly for his own good.
Jeff Goulding - Worked hard but unable to influence the game or provide the link-up between midfield and attack, and didn't have a shot in the 90 minutes.
Subs - Russ Penn - replaced Spencer, 67 - Keen to make up for lost time when he came on! Flew into tackles from the off, notably one on Jack Payne which may have been a little too exuberant...
Junior Smikle - replaced Low, 79 - Usual effort when he came on. Was fouled for the sending-off.
Darryl Duffy - replaced Summerfield, 79 - Didn't really get into the game.
Managers' views
Mark Yates - "I thought we were the better team and very unlucky not to get anything from it. We had a couple of shots on the break but we dominated in the second half but we fell into the trap of just slinging it into the box when we had that extra man. But overall I'm pleased with the performance and the effort and some of the football we played."
Andy Hessenthaler - "Nice to get off to a winning start. We didn't really get our passing game together but at times you have to grind results out. They came and made it very difficult for us. To keep a clean sheet and three points, we're delighted. We're delighted for Lewis Montrose. He said he could get goals and he did that today. Second half they played from back to front quickly and made it difficult for us. We're not going to throw negatives at them, but you have to give the opposition credit."
Positives - I thought we competed well and there was good effort and commitment throughout. Defensively, we looked sound and defended better from set-pieces.
Negatives - Lack of threat out wide, hence lack of service for the front two, who looked isolated at times. Passing not good in midfield so we struggled to put many good moves together.
Summary - Disappointing to lose of course, but it's only the first game. We had four debutants in the side (one of whom only signed on Thursday) and two more came off the bench, so it will take a bit of time to gel. Yes, I know they have played together in pre-season, but this is a different intensity. Biggest worry was our lack of goal threat but that will improve as time goes on. I feel Gillingham will still be up near the top as they too get used to each other (they had 6 debutants in the starting side), and I felt we matched them for the majority of the game so I don't feel there is a need to be too downhearted.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Cheltenham Town - defying the odds since 1999
I am not a betting man.
My only foray into the betting market comes for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National, and even then I am useless. I would never bet on the Boat Race as I would always pick the wrong one.
But I had a check on the betting sites for the relegation odds, and found exactly what I expected - Cheltenham Town are just about everyone's tip for the drop.
Take your pick from 11-4, 100-30 or 3-1 among the 10 or 11 firms I checked.
No surprise there. Well, we've proved them wrong before, so we will just have to go out and do it all again.
I have also been checking the blogs and previews doing the rounds - and yes, you guessed it, most place us in the bottom two.
So what do our fans think? I made a Twitter appeal for a straw poll, asking a few fellow Rubies where the realistically thought we could finish. Here's what they said:
Steve Burns: I think we'll finish top 5. Very optimistic about this season.
Simon Gardiner: I think we could genuinely surprise this season. 9th.
Healer: 14th
Richard Preen: I will be disappointed if we don't get top 10 and think the play-offs are realistic
Tarquin Symonds: I would like to think we have the squad to sustain a top 6 finish. Need to get off to a good start though.
James Baker: 12th to 15th - nice and comfortable in mid table.....
CJS: 14th - and would be pleased with it
Barbara Curtis: 7th place. Wish for better but better to be sensible and not overstretch.
Ian Pain: with what I have seen to date I think we will improve on last year and flirt with a final play off spot. Realistically 10th
Lord Richard: a hard one .. Realistically happy with 15th-16th.
Laurence Horton: realistically...at best, 10; at worst 17th again. Feeling optimistic though for a good season. All depends on the home form.
James Gwyer: I'm going with mid table, possibly pushing for the play offs.
Mark Hitchman: Very strong league this year, think we'll just fall short of play offs. 9th.
8.6 Seconds: 10th
So there you are - a polarisation of opinions from top five to 16th - meaning no one in this small straw poll is worried about the threat of relegation, rightly so I feel after the signings we have made this summer.
But as one of the tweeters above mentioned, it is a very tough league on paper and I am going to go through each side and assess how I think they will fare - leaving Cheltenham until last.
AFC Wimbledon
A little bit of an unknown quantity. Yes, it's a great story how they were formed in the Combined Counties League and have come all the way to the Football League, and I am delighted they have made it (especially at Luton's expense). They have lost Danny Kedwell, their main source of goals last season, but have replaced him with Jack Midson, a CTFC target who should get amongst the goals. Relegation won't be a worry for them, but I can't see them troubling the top spots.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety.
Accrington Stanley
Had a fantastic season last term as John Coleman carried on his record of finishing higher in the league every season since he took charge. However, I can see that record coming to an end in this campaign. They have lost Terry Gornell to Shrewsbury and Sean McConville to Stockport, while Jimmy Ryan has gone to Scunthorpe, and despite signing experience in Kevin McIntyre and Danny Coid, I can't see them hitting anywhere near the heights of last season.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six.
Aldershot Town
Not sure what to make of Aldershot, as Dean Holdsworth embarks on his first full season in charge. He has made use of his non-League knowledge to pick up some potential bargains, but my worry for them is who will score the goals. They have ex-Tamworth man Alex Rodman and Bradley Bubb from Farnborough and if they can step up they should be OK. They are tough to break down, and will be skippered by our ex-loanee Darren Jones.
CTC Prediction: Bubbling under.
Barnet
Managed to stay up at the death thanks to Lincoln's slide and I suspect they will be down there again. But they have Izale McLeod, Steve Kabba and new signing Jason Price - so you would think goals will not be a problem. But they have lost Joe Devera to Swindon and so the problem may be stopping them at the other end. So new goalkeeper Dean Brill might have to have a good season to stave off trouble.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six.
Bradford City
With the size of their crowds, Bradford should not be in the division, but their money troubles and some poor managerial appointments have kept them down here. But there is nothing to suggest Peter Jackson will be able to take them out, having lost some good players due to financial constraints, notably Gareth Evans to Rotherham. Guy Branston, from Torquay, will be a key man at the back, but I cannot see him leading them to glory.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety.
Bristol Rovers
After a disastrous four-manager campaign last season, Paul Buckle has come from Torquay and simply HAS to get them promoted. They have spent big money for this division and their board and supporters will not accept anything else but a top three finish. The arrival of players like Scott Bevan, Matt Harrold, Chris Zebroski, Craig Stanley, Joe Anyinsah and Adam Virgo should make it happen.
CTC Prediction: Top three.
Burton Albion
Another side who flirted with danger last season, for whom I cannot see much improvement this time. They are still struggling to replace Shaun Harrad, and I cannot see our ex-striker Justin Richards being the answer. They have also lost Russ Penn to us and goalkeeper Adam Ledzgins to Derby. Paul Peschisolido has a big job on.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six
Crawley Town
With the two 'M's behind them - momentum and money - League One is the only place I can see them ending up. I know they have the most odious manager in the division, but he has decent players from goalkeeper Michael Kuipers through the spine to Hope Akpan from Everton, to a forward quartet of Matt Tubbs, John Akinde, Tyrone Barnett and the man nabbed from us, Wes Thomas, that just spells goals. Not sure if they will win the title, but they will go straight up.
CTC Prediction: Top three
Crewe Alexandra
Ripped us to bits at Gresty Road a few months ago, but the two hat-trick men, Joel Grant and Clayton Donaldson, have both gone, to Wycombe and Brentford. That puts the onus on Shaun Miller, in my book one of the division's best players, to take on the goalscoring. They have not always been the best at the back, and that may be an Achilles heel and stop them troubling the top seven.
CTC Prediction: Bubbling under.
Dagenham and Redbridge
Came back down after one season in League One, and I can't see them getting back there. Ex-CTFC loanee Medy Elito is one of their signings, and they have added experience with Kevin Maher in midfield and Richard Rose at the back, but I don't think it will be enough for them to make a challenge. But in John Still they have one of the wiliest managers in the division and must be respected.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety.
Gillingham
Improved after a poor start last season and went close to going up. Andy Hessenthaler (a Watford FC legend...) has signed Danny Kedwell from AFC Wimbledon and the prolific Adam Birchall from Dover, although the latter will miss six months with a knee injury, to replace Bayo Akinfenwa and Cody McDonald's goals. Other good signings like Andy Frampton, Chris Whelpdale and Charlie Lee will give them a solid look.
CTC Prediction: Play-offs
Hereford United
Like us, their main problem last season was winning games at home. Manager Jamie Pitman has tried to strengthen their spine with defender Stefan Stam, midfielder Harry Pell (superb in their win at WR last season) and striker Delroy Facey. But I cannot see them escaping from the struggle zone as they will be too reliant on Stuart Fleetwood for goals and Adam Bartlett for saves. Pitman faces a tough season.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six.
Macclesfield Town
Along with ourselves, the bookies have Macc as the other drop favourites and they might have this one right. They have lost their two best players - Tyrone Barnett to Crawley and Hamza Bencherif, who for some reason joined Martin Allen at Notts County. They still have the likes of Emile Sinclair and Colin Daniel ( who is out for the first month at least) but it won't be enough, I fear.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six.
Morecambe
The Shrimps are another team who I fear may face a battle. They seem to have gone for the cheap option with Jim Bentley as manager to replace Sammy McIlroy and new arrivals Nick Fenton and Kevin Ellison will be key for them, as will the goals of Phil Jevons and new arrival from Oldham, Lewis Alessandra. I don't think they will finish in the bottom two, but they won't be much higher than that.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six.
Northampton Town
Another team with a big budget and a chairman who wants promotion yesterday. Unfortunately, he has decided that Gary Johnson is the manager to provide it for him, and I fear that may be his undoing. Johnson has re-signed Bayo Akinfenwa and hopes to get the best out of Shaun Harrad, while Michael Jacobs is one of the best young talents in the division. He has also signed Jake Robinson from Shrewsbury via Torquay, but I cannot see them maintaining a top-seven challenge.
CTC Prediction: Bubbling under
Oxford United
Another side who appear to have pushed the boat out this season in an attempt to escape the division. Players such as Michael Duberry, Liam Davis (from Northampton, good player in my book), John-Paul Pittman, Peter Leven (from MK Dons), Andy Whing and Deane Smalley have come in, all with experience from a higher level and it will be a big surprise if they are not right up there.
CTC Prediction: Play-offs
Plymouth Argyle
With all their financial problems, there is no real telling what the season holds for Argyle. Peter Reid has lost a lot of experienced players and we have benefitted with Luke Summerfield's arrival today. But he has ex-Wales international Carl Fletcher and Northern Ireland's Warren Feeney up front as well as Frenchman Romain Larrieu in goal. So even with their financial millstone, I can see a season of stablilty, on the field at least, which will be welcomed at Home Park.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety
Port Vale
Last season started well until Micky Adams left, then Jim Gannon's arrival saw things implode spectacularly. Our 1-0 win there was Gannon's first game and they were shouting for his removal then! Now Adams is back, but is battling against off-field strife with fans disgruntled with the board. After Justin Richards' departure for Burton, Tom Pope has arrived from Rotherham to join Marc Richards and Louis Dodds up front. I see a season similar to the last one for them - just underneath the top seven.
CTC Prediction: Bubbling under.
Rotherham United
With their new stadium on the horizon, manager Andy Scott will be under some pressure to take the side back up. Much pre-season focus has been on Adam Le Fondre's future, and it seems he will at least start the season at the Don Valley. Chris Holroyd, Lewis Grabban and Gareth Evans have joined as well, so goals won't be a problem. That quartet should ensure the Millers will go close this term, but might have to use the play-offs to try and escape from the division.
CTC Prediction: Play-offs
Shrewsbury Town
Another club whose board and fans are demanding nothing else but promotion. They missed out last season, and have been active in the summer market with players like Terry Gornell, Marvin Morgan, Reuben Hazell, Joe Jacobson and Matt Richards joining young talent like Tom Bradshaw and Jon Taylor at the Greenhous Meadow. It's an impressive squad and should be good enough to make the leap.
CTC Prediction: Top three.
Southend United
A bit like Aldershot in that I can't work out what to make of them. If they come off, they will challenge, if not they will fade into the middle of the table. I can see them being a 15-15-16 team - inconsistent but able to beat anyone on their day. Paul Sturrock has landed Millwall legend Neil Harris, and he joins Liam Dickinson, Blair Sturrock and Barry Corr as striking options. Bilel Moshni is a solid defender and Ryan Hall a young talent but they will not have enough to worry the top.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety
Swindon Town
With Paolo Di Canio in charge, life won't be dull in Wiltshire. After last season's disaster, he has gutted the squad and brought in Italians, Algerians, Namibians, Ghanaians and Jonathan Smith, the ex-Forest Green midfielder from York City. So it will be a cosmopolitan squad, and they could take the division by storm. However, I think they will take some time to gel, and if Di Canio can stick it out I think they will be in the mix.
CTC Prediction: Play-offs
Torquay United
Went so close last season before going down to Stevenage in the play-off final, but it's difficult to see them going anywhere near that again. Paul Buckle's departure along with Guy Branston, Scott Bevan, Chris Zebroski, Jake Robinson and Craig Stanley, and don't see the likes of Robert Olejnik, Brian Saah and Taiwo Atieno filling the gap sufficently for manager Martin Ling.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety.
And finally...
Cheltenham Town
I can see our season hingeing on the success of three partnerships in the spine of the team. First, Alan Bennett and Steve Elliott at the back have to find a way to stop us leaking so many goals, especially from set-pieces and crosses (it's not all Scott Brown's fault...). They need to dominate back there, while the full-backs need to stop the crosses coming into the box so often, helped by the wide midfielders tracking back.
Then, in midfield, Russ Penn and Marlon Pack will be expected to add some steel which we badly missed last year, and some style to get us moving in the final third. Penn has already shown his box to box qualities, while Marlon will be our quarterback, the dictator of our play to make us tick. Luke Summerfield's arrival gives us, I feel, one of our best midfields since we joined the league.
Up front, it will be down to two of Jimmy Spencer, Jeff Goulding and Darryl Duffy to form a potent partnership. Duffy is more of a goal poacher, while we know Goulding is adept at linking the play and Jimmy Spencer looks a strong player who will work all day and run the channels well (I must say he looks older than 19!).
Elsewhere, we will need another consistent season from Keith Lowe, more progress defensively for Danny Andrew, without blunting his attacking worth, and more of Josh Low's game-running displays like we saw at Bury and Lincoln.
I hope Scott Brown has some competition for his place and shows improvement in dominating his area if he is to keep his place in the side while again displaying his strength in shot stopping.
For a change, we also have good strength in depth, with impact players such as Kaid Mohamed and Bagasan Graham, hungry youngsters like Sido Jombati, Kyle Haynes, Theo Lewis and Harry Hooman and the ever-reliable and hard-working David Bird, Andy Gallinagh and Junior Smikle all wanting a place in the side.
Of course there will be ups and downs, and we will have another rollercoaster season, but like those fans at the top of this piece I am not worried about the prospect of relegation this season.
I think we will see another season of gradual improvement - we might get excited about the play-offs at some point during the season, but I don't see us mounting any concerted challenge for the top seven.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety
So there you are - my neck is on the line ready to be shot at as we get ready for another season - a historic one as we don our new ruby kit to celebrate 125 years of Cheltenham Town. Scary to think I have been watching them for nearly a quarter of that time!
First stop Gillingham...
My only foray into the betting market comes for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National, and even then I am useless. I would never bet on the Boat Race as I would always pick the wrong one.
But I had a check on the betting sites for the relegation odds, and found exactly what I expected - Cheltenham Town are just about everyone's tip for the drop.
Take your pick from 11-4, 100-30 or 3-1 among the 10 or 11 firms I checked.
No surprise there. Well, we've proved them wrong before, so we will just have to go out and do it all again.
I have also been checking the blogs and previews doing the rounds - and yes, you guessed it, most place us in the bottom two.
So what do our fans think? I made a Twitter appeal for a straw poll, asking a few fellow Rubies where the realistically thought we could finish. Here's what they said:
Steve Burns: I think we'll finish top 5. Very optimistic about this season.
Simon Gardiner: I think we could genuinely surprise this season. 9th.
Healer: 14th
Richard Preen: I will be disappointed if we don't get top 10 and think the play-offs are realistic
Tarquin Symonds: I would like to think we have the squad to sustain a top 6 finish. Need to get off to a good start though.
James Baker: 12th to 15th - nice and comfortable in mid table.....
CJS: 14th - and would be pleased with it
Barbara Curtis: 7th place. Wish for better but better to be sensible and not overstretch.
Ian Pain: with what I have seen to date I think we will improve on last year and flirt with a final play off spot. Realistically 10th
Lord Richard: a hard one .. Realistically happy with 15th-16th.
Laurence Horton: realistically...at best, 10; at worst 17th again. Feeling optimistic though for a good season. All depends on the home form.
James Gwyer: I'm going with mid table, possibly pushing for the play offs.
Mark Hitchman: Very strong league this year, think we'll just fall short of play offs. 9th.
8.6 Seconds: 10th
So there you are - a polarisation of opinions from top five to 16th - meaning no one in this small straw poll is worried about the threat of relegation, rightly so I feel after the signings we have made this summer.
But as one of the tweeters above mentioned, it is a very tough league on paper and I am going to go through each side and assess how I think they will fare - leaving Cheltenham until last.
AFC Wimbledon
A little bit of an unknown quantity. Yes, it's a great story how they were formed in the Combined Counties League and have come all the way to the Football League, and I am delighted they have made it (especially at Luton's expense). They have lost Danny Kedwell, their main source of goals last season, but have replaced him with Jack Midson, a CTFC target who should get amongst the goals. Relegation won't be a worry for them, but I can't see them troubling the top spots.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety.
Accrington Stanley
Had a fantastic season last term as John Coleman carried on his record of finishing higher in the league every season since he took charge. However, I can see that record coming to an end in this campaign. They have lost Terry Gornell to Shrewsbury and Sean McConville to Stockport, while Jimmy Ryan has gone to Scunthorpe, and despite signing experience in Kevin McIntyre and Danny Coid, I can't see them hitting anywhere near the heights of last season.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six.
Aldershot Town
Not sure what to make of Aldershot, as Dean Holdsworth embarks on his first full season in charge. He has made use of his non-League knowledge to pick up some potential bargains, but my worry for them is who will score the goals. They have ex-Tamworth man Alex Rodman and Bradley Bubb from Farnborough and if they can step up they should be OK. They are tough to break down, and will be skippered by our ex-loanee Darren Jones.
CTC Prediction: Bubbling under.
Barnet
Managed to stay up at the death thanks to Lincoln's slide and I suspect they will be down there again. But they have Izale McLeod, Steve Kabba and new signing Jason Price - so you would think goals will not be a problem. But they have lost Joe Devera to Swindon and so the problem may be stopping them at the other end. So new goalkeeper Dean Brill might have to have a good season to stave off trouble.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six.
Bradford City
With the size of their crowds, Bradford should not be in the division, but their money troubles and some poor managerial appointments have kept them down here. But there is nothing to suggest Peter Jackson will be able to take them out, having lost some good players due to financial constraints, notably Gareth Evans to Rotherham. Guy Branston, from Torquay, will be a key man at the back, but I cannot see him leading them to glory.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety.
Bristol Rovers
After a disastrous four-manager campaign last season, Paul Buckle has come from Torquay and simply HAS to get them promoted. They have spent big money for this division and their board and supporters will not accept anything else but a top three finish. The arrival of players like Scott Bevan, Matt Harrold, Chris Zebroski, Craig Stanley, Joe Anyinsah and Adam Virgo should make it happen.
CTC Prediction: Top three.
Burton Albion
Another side who flirted with danger last season, for whom I cannot see much improvement this time. They are still struggling to replace Shaun Harrad, and I cannot see our ex-striker Justin Richards being the answer. They have also lost Russ Penn to us and goalkeeper Adam Ledzgins to Derby. Paul Peschisolido has a big job on.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six
Crawley Town
With the two 'M's behind them - momentum and money - League One is the only place I can see them ending up. I know they have the most odious manager in the division, but he has decent players from goalkeeper Michael Kuipers through the spine to Hope Akpan from Everton, to a forward quartet of Matt Tubbs, John Akinde, Tyrone Barnett and the man nabbed from us, Wes Thomas, that just spells goals. Not sure if they will win the title, but they will go straight up.
CTC Prediction: Top three
Crewe Alexandra
Ripped us to bits at Gresty Road a few months ago, but the two hat-trick men, Joel Grant and Clayton Donaldson, have both gone, to Wycombe and Brentford. That puts the onus on Shaun Miller, in my book one of the division's best players, to take on the goalscoring. They have not always been the best at the back, and that may be an Achilles heel and stop them troubling the top seven.
CTC Prediction: Bubbling under.
Dagenham and Redbridge
Came back down after one season in League One, and I can't see them getting back there. Ex-CTFC loanee Medy Elito is one of their signings, and they have added experience with Kevin Maher in midfield and Richard Rose at the back, but I don't think it will be enough for them to make a challenge. But in John Still they have one of the wiliest managers in the division and must be respected.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety.
Gillingham
Improved after a poor start last season and went close to going up. Andy Hessenthaler (a Watford FC legend...) has signed Danny Kedwell from AFC Wimbledon and the prolific Adam Birchall from Dover, although the latter will miss six months with a knee injury, to replace Bayo Akinfenwa and Cody McDonald's goals. Other good signings like Andy Frampton, Chris Whelpdale and Charlie Lee will give them a solid look.
CTC Prediction: Play-offs
Hereford United
Like us, their main problem last season was winning games at home. Manager Jamie Pitman has tried to strengthen their spine with defender Stefan Stam, midfielder Harry Pell (superb in their win at WR last season) and striker Delroy Facey. But I cannot see them escaping from the struggle zone as they will be too reliant on Stuart Fleetwood for goals and Adam Bartlett for saves. Pitman faces a tough season.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six.
Macclesfield Town
Along with ourselves, the bookies have Macc as the other drop favourites and they might have this one right. They have lost their two best players - Tyrone Barnett to Crawley and Hamza Bencherif, who for some reason joined Martin Allen at Notts County. They still have the likes of Emile Sinclair and Colin Daniel ( who is out for the first month at least) but it won't be enough, I fear.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six.
Morecambe
The Shrimps are another team who I fear may face a battle. They seem to have gone for the cheap option with Jim Bentley as manager to replace Sammy McIlroy and new arrivals Nick Fenton and Kevin Ellison will be key for them, as will the goals of Phil Jevons and new arrival from Oldham, Lewis Alessandra. I don't think they will finish in the bottom two, but they won't be much higher than that.
CTC Prediction: Bottom six.
Northampton Town
Another team with a big budget and a chairman who wants promotion yesterday. Unfortunately, he has decided that Gary Johnson is the manager to provide it for him, and I fear that may be his undoing. Johnson has re-signed Bayo Akinfenwa and hopes to get the best out of Shaun Harrad, while Michael Jacobs is one of the best young talents in the division. He has also signed Jake Robinson from Shrewsbury via Torquay, but I cannot see them maintaining a top-seven challenge.
CTC Prediction: Bubbling under
Oxford United
Another side who appear to have pushed the boat out this season in an attempt to escape the division. Players such as Michael Duberry, Liam Davis (from Northampton, good player in my book), John-Paul Pittman, Peter Leven (from MK Dons), Andy Whing and Deane Smalley have come in, all with experience from a higher level and it will be a big surprise if they are not right up there.
CTC Prediction: Play-offs
Plymouth Argyle
With all their financial problems, there is no real telling what the season holds for Argyle. Peter Reid has lost a lot of experienced players and we have benefitted with Luke Summerfield's arrival today. But he has ex-Wales international Carl Fletcher and Northern Ireland's Warren Feeney up front as well as Frenchman Romain Larrieu in goal. So even with their financial millstone, I can see a season of stablilty, on the field at least, which will be welcomed at Home Park.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety
Port Vale
Last season started well until Micky Adams left, then Jim Gannon's arrival saw things implode spectacularly. Our 1-0 win there was Gannon's first game and they were shouting for his removal then! Now Adams is back, but is battling against off-field strife with fans disgruntled with the board. After Justin Richards' departure for Burton, Tom Pope has arrived from Rotherham to join Marc Richards and Louis Dodds up front. I see a season similar to the last one for them - just underneath the top seven.
CTC Prediction: Bubbling under.
Rotherham United
With their new stadium on the horizon, manager Andy Scott will be under some pressure to take the side back up. Much pre-season focus has been on Adam Le Fondre's future, and it seems he will at least start the season at the Don Valley. Chris Holroyd, Lewis Grabban and Gareth Evans have joined as well, so goals won't be a problem. That quartet should ensure the Millers will go close this term, but might have to use the play-offs to try and escape from the division.
CTC Prediction: Play-offs
Shrewsbury Town
Another club whose board and fans are demanding nothing else but promotion. They missed out last season, and have been active in the summer market with players like Terry Gornell, Marvin Morgan, Reuben Hazell, Joe Jacobson and Matt Richards joining young talent like Tom Bradshaw and Jon Taylor at the Greenhous Meadow. It's an impressive squad and should be good enough to make the leap.
CTC Prediction: Top three.
Southend United
A bit like Aldershot in that I can't work out what to make of them. If they come off, they will challenge, if not they will fade into the middle of the table. I can see them being a 15-15-16 team - inconsistent but able to beat anyone on their day. Paul Sturrock has landed Millwall legend Neil Harris, and he joins Liam Dickinson, Blair Sturrock and Barry Corr as striking options. Bilel Moshni is a solid defender and Ryan Hall a young talent but they will not have enough to worry the top.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety
Swindon Town
With Paolo Di Canio in charge, life won't be dull in Wiltshire. After last season's disaster, he has gutted the squad and brought in Italians, Algerians, Namibians, Ghanaians and Jonathan Smith, the ex-Forest Green midfielder from York City. So it will be a cosmopolitan squad, and they could take the division by storm. However, I think they will take some time to gel, and if Di Canio can stick it out I think they will be in the mix.
CTC Prediction: Play-offs
Torquay United
Went so close last season before going down to Stevenage in the play-off final, but it's difficult to see them going anywhere near that again. Paul Buckle's departure along with Guy Branston, Scott Bevan, Chris Zebroski, Jake Robinson and Craig Stanley, and don't see the likes of Robert Olejnik, Brian Saah and Taiwo Atieno filling the gap sufficently for manager Martin Ling.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety.
And finally...
Cheltenham Town
I can see our season hingeing on the success of three partnerships in the spine of the team. First, Alan Bennett and Steve Elliott at the back have to find a way to stop us leaking so many goals, especially from set-pieces and crosses (it's not all Scott Brown's fault...). They need to dominate back there, while the full-backs need to stop the crosses coming into the box so often, helped by the wide midfielders tracking back.
Then, in midfield, Russ Penn and Marlon Pack will be expected to add some steel which we badly missed last year, and some style to get us moving in the final third. Penn has already shown his box to box qualities, while Marlon will be our quarterback, the dictator of our play to make us tick. Luke Summerfield's arrival gives us, I feel, one of our best midfields since we joined the league.
Up front, it will be down to two of Jimmy Spencer, Jeff Goulding and Darryl Duffy to form a potent partnership. Duffy is more of a goal poacher, while we know Goulding is adept at linking the play and Jimmy Spencer looks a strong player who will work all day and run the channels well (I must say he looks older than 19!).
Elsewhere, we will need another consistent season from Keith Lowe, more progress defensively for Danny Andrew, without blunting his attacking worth, and more of Josh Low's game-running displays like we saw at Bury and Lincoln.
I hope Scott Brown has some competition for his place and shows improvement in dominating his area if he is to keep his place in the side while again displaying his strength in shot stopping.
For a change, we also have good strength in depth, with impact players such as Kaid Mohamed and Bagasan Graham, hungry youngsters like Sido Jombati, Kyle Haynes, Theo Lewis and Harry Hooman and the ever-reliable and hard-working David Bird, Andy Gallinagh and Junior Smikle all wanting a place in the side.
Of course there will be ups and downs, and we will have another rollercoaster season, but like those fans at the top of this piece I am not worried about the prospect of relegation this season.
I think we will see another season of gradual improvement - we might get excited about the play-offs at some point during the season, but I don't see us mounting any concerted challenge for the top seven.
CTC Prediction: Mid-table safety
So there you are - my neck is on the line ready to be shot at as we get ready for another season - a historic one as we don our new ruby kit to celebrate 125 years of Cheltenham Town. Scary to think I have been watching them for nearly a quarter of that time!
First stop Gillingham...
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