Cheltenham Town returned to League One for the first time since 2009 as they narrowly won the League Two title, securing the honours on the last day of the season. Many people had backed the Gloucestershire based side to build on last season’s disappointment, as they were knocked out of the play-off semi-final by Northampton. After securing promotion it’s important that Michael Duff’s side do not dwell on their success, with the start of next season only a couple of months away. With recruitment being as important as ever, here’s a list of five problem areas, with realistic targets that the Robins could target.
Since returning to the club as manager in late 2018, Duff has prided himself on a solid defence. The former Northern Ireland international has favoured a 3-5-2 since taking the reins, with the job of the three centre backs being fairly simple. Keep the ball out of the goal, at any cost. First choice trio Ben Tozer, Will Boyle and Charlie Raglan averaged just over nine clearances, two blocks and three tackles between them per game. These heroic numbers were key to the Robins conceding the fewest goals in the league last season.
Boyle has already been linked with a move away from the club, with Preston believed to be keen on the 25-year-old. Even if Cheltenham are to keep hold of their star defender, depth could prove to be pivitol if they are to remain in League One. Stevenage’s Terrance Vancooten is someone who certainly looks like someone who could slot straight into the Robins backline.
Standing at 6’3, Vancooten shone in a Boro side that finished 14th in League Two last season. He formed a part of the second-best defence in League Two, averaging 2.8 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, 4.4 clearances and 1.1 blocks per game. The Guyana international is only 23 and has a year left on his current deal, so may command a reasonable fee, but if Cheltenham want to sustain themselves in League One, Vancooten maybe a sensible purchase.
Alfie May was the Robins top scorer last season, but managed only nine goals in the league. He was partnered by six other forwards throughout the season, with Sam Smith, who joined the club on loan from Reading in January, proving to form the best relationship with the lively 27-year-old. Smith will be available on a free transfer this summer after he was not offered a new deal by the Royals. His strength, height and athleticism means that he fits the mould of striker that Duff will likely be after, but there may be better options available.
One of those is Exeter’s Ryan Bowman. The 29-year-old has previously been linked with a move to north Gloucestershire and ended last season with 14 goals to his name. Despite having an eye for goal, his all-round play is what is likely to interest the Robins. Bowman challenged for the seventh highest number of aerial duels per game in League Two last season (15.2) and won the tenth highest amount (5.8). He also provided three assists during the season supplying 0.6 key passes per 90.
If Bowman does not become available, as he still has one year left on his current deal, John Akinde is someone who could also prove an attractive prospect. He is currently on the transfer list at League One rivals Gillingham but has proved he is capable of providing problems at this level before. Standing at 6’2, Akinde is a menace in the air winning 41% of his aerial duals last season and scoring once with his head. Now 31, he can provide experience and know how that may prove to be crucial later on in the season.
Cheltenham’s midfield is likely to need a major overhaul. Chris Clements has departed the club and impressive loanees Finn Azaz and Callum Wright have both returned to their parent clubs. All three players were capable of picking the ball up in tight spaces and then moving the ball through the lines. So, a creative midfielder is needed at the Johnny Rocks Stadium.
Callum Guy stood out in a Carlisle side that overachieved last season. He ended the campaign with 14 assists, the highest in League Two. He also provided the third highest number of key passes (94), with 55 of these being long balls, the type of service that May thrives on. Having come through the ranks at Derby, Guy is used to playing at a higher level of football and may see Cheltenham as an ideal step back up the divisions. With only a year left on his current contract, there is likely to plenty admirers of the 24-year-old.
Chris Hussey and Matty Blair were the starting wing-backs for the Robins last season and they both excelled. Hussey proved his quality on the left, providing five assists, 1.5 key passes per game and 0.7 successful dribbles. In the three games he was unavailable for last season, the Robins lacked a bit of drive going forward so could do with some cover with a similar amount of ability.
Another Exeter man seems to fit that bill pretty well. His name is Randell Williams. Having started his career as an out an out winger, Williams has been converted to wing-back and seems to be thriving in the deeper role. Despite having an injury impacted season, he still managed to score four goals and supply one assist. He also completed 1.1 crosses, 0.8 dribbles and produced 1.7 key passes per game, the sixth highest in League Two. After failing to agree a new deal with the Devon based side, the Robins are likely to face competition to sign the 24-year-old, but if they are to survive back in League One, you feel this is the sort of player they should be targeting.
After first choice keeper Scott Flinders started the season with a broken shoulder, Cheltenham brought in 19-year-old Josh Griffiths from West Brom. I don’t think even he expected to have the season he did, as he kept 23 clean sheets, the highest in the league and earned himself a call up to the England U-21’s squad. His excellence between the sticks denied Flinders any real game time, so sufficient back up is likely to be required, with Griffiths returning to his parent club to challenge for the number one spot.
The Robins did try and play out from the back last season, so a keeper who is good with their feet is a must. Out of Griffiths 28.6 passes per game, only 6.4 were long balls with the Hereford born stopper operating at a 47.9% pass percentage. Nathan Baxter proved he was comfortable with the ball at his feet during his loan spell at Accrington Stanley last season. The 22-year-old was borrowed from Chelsea and is likely to be sent out on loan again this season. An injury hit campaign saw him only make 16 appearances, but during this time he attempted 29.8 passes per game, completing 60.9% of these. Although over half of these passes were long balls, Cheltenham may be reluctant to play through the defenders so frequently now they are in a higher division, so Baxter’s no-nonsense style may come in handy.
