'5 mts after Swindon defeat dressing room was disappointed, 5 mts later it was all about Saturday'; says veteran striker Neil Harris. So let's all remain optimistic for the second set of Robins the Shrimpers meet this week, on December 10th; k-o 15.00.
v 
SHRIMPERS
The run is dead, long live the run, the new one that is, which we hope starts on Saturday, if you're a Shrimper of course.
It's going to be tough, there's a flu bug spreading around the squad, and they are in great form themselves.
Whaddon Road will be also be buzzing full of home supporters hoping to use their ticket stub to pick up a Spurs ticket, always a useful tactic in boosting short term finances if you grab a big one, sure Roots Hall towers are thinking on the same lines if we beat Oldham, would boost the Bradford gate a week before Christmas!
For me the week always had the potential for three defeats, we have been winging it for a while, and how we would respond to that if it happened, the team and the fans, the latter not reacting well to just one loss as it is!
As I didn't go on Tuesday it's hard to comment, correspondant Westfield who did believes Prosser on the left was an error, others have written that he kept the Swindon dangerman quiet for 70 minutes until they got a fluke equaliser; different opinions, such is the way with footy fans.
Personally I think Luggy sometimes experiments at odd moments, but he's got us this far and for that he's got plenty in the EEB credit account, to last more than losing a JPT match, however important.
I will be in Cheltenham Saturday, so don't expect a quick report, I plan to take advantage of the town's hospitality before and after, and I don't mean going racing.
As it happens the Luggy thinking, and Timlin and Phillips having a smalll rest, could be to our advantage for the other Robins, a game that if won will break a record, yes another one, of six successive away wins in the league that started with Port Vale way back in August!
The first 20 they will certainly have a go, but keep it goalless and a snatched 1-0 win is on the cards, we are certainly good enough to grab a positive result, still top of the league when I last looked.
Let's have another chat nearer the Oldham game when we know the result of this one.
Possible Southend United: Daniels, Clohessy, Barker, Phillips, Gilbert (4 yellows), Kalala (4), Mohsni, Ferdinand, Timlin, Dickinson, Hall.
Subs: Morris, Prosser, Grant, Sturrock, Harris.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
Bomber's column in the Echo: www.echo-news.co.uk
OPPOSITION
No new injuries as we know but ten goal striker Darryl Duffy will serve a one match ban after picking up two yellow cards.
Centre-back Steve Elliot will be considered after returning to training this week.
Goalkeeper Jack Butland plays his last game for the club before returning to Birmingham City, manger Mark Yates is hoping he will be able to sort something out with the player when the transfer window reopens in the new year.
The Robins will be aiming to win their fifth match on the trot after having lost only two of the last 14.
Back in the summer our old friends at www.maxihobbs.com put this preview together.
Recap of last season
A season of two halves for Cheltenham, up until Christmas the Robins enjoyed a fine 2010 lying just outside the playoffs. The turn of the year saw a turn in fortunes however. Just 1 home win in the 2nd half of the season and away defeats of 4-0 and 8-1 summed up a dismal slide that saw the Robins dragged into the relegation dogfight.
Marlon Pack, a summer signing from Portsmouth
Personnel in
Marlon Pack’s signature from Portsmouth proved to be the real coup of the summer for the newly named Rubies. His impressive displays in central midfield led to him signing a 2 year deal having been released from the south coast club.
Russell Penn (Burton Albion, free)
Kaid Mohamed (Wimbledon, Free)
Alan Bennett (Wycombe, free)
Sido Jombati (Bath City, Undisclosed)
Daryll Duffy (Bristol Rovers, free)
Bagasan Graham (QPR, free)
Harry Hooman (Unattached)
James Spencer (Huddersfield, Loan)
Ethan Moore (Aston Villa, Free)
Personnel Out
Wes Thomas sole season at Whaddon Road was an explosive one, bagging 19 goals in the process, but for the 7th time in 9 seasons Cheltenham lost their top scorer, this time to League 2 newcomers Crawley. (Surprise!)
Having failed to impress on his 2nd spell JJ Melligan was one of 5 released by Mark Yates. Frankie Artus and Martin Riley have found clubs in the Blue Square Premier.
Daniel Lloyd-Weston (released), Jake Lee (released)
Strengths
Cheltenham’s ability to score early, and for the majority of the time gain something away from home was vital in the final league standings. On many occasions the early goal was either defended on resolutely or held onto as the Robins won more games away from home than at home. Yates tactics seems to suit a team on their travels. A midfield of Pack and Penn potentially points to one of the most exciting CM partners Cheltenham have had since the days of Finnigan and McCann who led them to promotion.
Weaknesses
Clearly it is easy to point to Cheltenham’s dire home from here. The players seemed almost scared to play the brand of football served up away from home, at Whaddon Road. A dire 2-1 win at home to Stockport was Cheltenham’s only 3 point haulat Whaddon Road. The pitch, the fans, the lack of atmosphere and the tactics can all be blamed but the Robins struggled majorly at home, culminating in a slide down the League 2 table in 2011. Cheltenham also suffered the 2nd worst defense in the League behind only Stockport and this will need to be addressed otherwise another season of struggle may lie ahead.
Key Man
Marlon Pack – (see S24 player to watch)
One to Watch
Ethan Moore – A youth team graduate signed permanently from Aston Villa who held his registration. 25 goals for youth and reserve teams last season have had many Robins fans very excited at his potential and he makes the step up to the first team this season. A striker with a great first touch who possesses a delicate finish. Could he fill the void left by Wes Thomas?
Outlook
The opening half of the season could prove absolutely vital for Cheltenham here. A bad start, and the signs could be ominous, however there is potential in this squad and many would argue the squad is stronger than last season despite the loss of a top scorer. It really is hard to pinpoint where the Robins will end up, however, the realist would predict a lower mid table finish
Predictions
Ben: I’m going to enrage Maxi and suggest that Town may slip backwards slightly this season and flirt with, although ultimately avoid relegation.
Danny: I’ve got a feeling we’ll be seeing a more consistent Cheltenham this time, easily avoiding the drop and ending around half way.
Maxi: A late surge of summer signings has raised morale, and probably a few places, comfortable mid table.
Player to watch
Marlon Pack
We couldn't put the influence of this player to Cheltenham better than www.maxihobbs.com did in their pre-season preview taken from above.
'The central midfielder shows composure far beyond his years and has the touch of class in a quality midfielder. Cheltenham fans relate Pack to the days of Grant McCann (now Peterborough captain), with a calmness and simplicity in his play. A season long loan spell had Robins fans pleading with Yates to try and sign up the Portsmouth player, and with his release from his home town club, Yates quickly swooped. Everything Cheltenham create is likely to be down to this man.'
(For the full player info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlon_Pack)
Last time out in the League
Oxford United 0 Cheltenham Town 2 (played on Saturday, November 26th); Report: www.ctfc.com
Life at the top
| 1 | Southend United | 19 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 11 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 37 | 18 | 42 | +19 | ||||
| 2 | Crawley Town | 19 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 40 | 25 | 42 | +15 | ||||
| 3 | Cheltenham Town | 19 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 18 | 38 | +11 | ||||
| 4 | Shrewsbury Town | 19 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 32 | 19 | 37 | +13 | ||||
| 5 | Burton Albion | 19 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 32 | 26 | 35 | +6 | ||||
| 6 | Swindon Town | 19 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 16 | 33 | +14 | ||||
| 7 | Gillingham | 19 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 18 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 33 | 25 | 31 | +8 | ||||
PREVIOUSLY
| At Cheltenham T. (9) | At Southend Utd. (12) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Cheltenham T. | 2 | 22.22 | Southend Utd. | 5 | 41.67 | |
| Southend Utd. | 3 | 33.33 | Cheltenham T. | 6 | 50.00 | |
| Draws | 4 | 44.44 | Draws | 1 | 8.33 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Cheltenham T. | 8 | 0.89 | Southend Utd. | 15 | 1.25 | |
| Southend Utd. | 12 | 1.33 | Cheltenham T. | 12 | 1.00 | |
| On Neutral Ground (0) | Overall (21 matches) | |||||
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Cheltenham T. | 0 | 0.00 | Cheltenham T. | 8 | 38.10 | |
| Southend Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Southend Utd. | 8 | 38.10 | |
| Draws | 0 | 0.00 | Draws | 5 | 23.81 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Cheltenham T. | 0 | 0.00 | Cheltenham T. | 20 | 0.95 | |
| Southend Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Southend Utd. | 27 | 1.29 | |
| Records | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Aggregate | 5 | Southend Utd. | 4 - 1 | Cheltenham T. | 2007/2008 |
| Highest Cheltenham T. score: | 2 | Southend Utd. | 0 - 2 | Cheltenham T. | 2004/2005 |
| Highest Southend Utd. score: | 4 | Southend Utd. | 4 - 1 | Cheltenham T. | 2007/2008 |
| Season | Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/2011 | Mon 03 Jan | Southend Utd. | 1 - 2 | Cheltenham T. | League Two |
| Tue 14 Dec | Cheltenham T. | 0 - 2 | Southend Utd. | League Two | |
| 2009/2010 | Tue 11 Aug | Cheltenham T. | 1 - 2 | Southend Utd. | League Cup |
| 2008/2009 | Sat 02 May | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Cheltenham T. | League One |
| Tue 25 Nov | Cheltenham T. | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | League One | |
| Tue 12 Aug | Southend Utd. | 0 - 1 | Cheltenham T. | League Cup | |
| after extra time | |||||
| 2007/2008 | Fri 29 Feb | Cheltenham T. | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League One |
| Sat 17 Nov | Southend Utd. | 2 - 2 | Cheltenham T. | League One | |
| Tue 14 Aug | Southend Utd. | 4 - 1 | Cheltenham T. | League Cup | |
| after extra time, 90 minutes 1-1 | |||||
| 2004/2005 | Sat 19 Mar | Cheltenham T. | 0 - 3 | Southend Utd. | League Two |
| Sat 07 Aug | Southend Utd. | 0 - 2 | Cheltenham T. | League Two | |
| 2003/2004 | Fri 09 Jan | Cheltenham T. | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League Division Three |
| Sat 09 Aug | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Cheltenham T. | League Division Three | |
| 2001/2002 | Tue 19 Feb | Cheltenham T. | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League Division Three |
| Fri 28 Sep | Southend Utd. | 0 - 1 | Cheltenham T. | League Division Three | |
| 2000/2001 | Sat 05 May | Cheltenham T. | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League Division Three |
| Tue 05 Dec | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Cheltenham T. | (Associate Members) | |
| Sat 25 Nov | Southend Utd. | 0 - 1 | Cheltenham T. | League Division Three | |
| 1999/2000 | Sat 06 May | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Cheltenham T. | League Division Three |
| Tue 07 Dec | Southend Utd. | 0 - 1 | Cheltenham T. | (Associate Members) | |
| Sat 09 Oct | Cheltenham T. | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League Division Three | |
GROUND
At one end of the ground is the newest addition to the stadium and where the away fans are now located.
The Carlesberg Stand which was built by Barr Construction, was opened in December 2005 and now has a capacity for 1,100 fans. It is particularly steep in its design, has a perspex windshield to one side and perspex panels incorporated into it's roof, to allow more light to reach the pitch. The stand is unusual in the respect that it has a couple of more rows of seats on one side of it. There is also a small electric scoreboard on its roof.
In 2009 the ground was renamed the Abbey Business Stadium, in a corporate deal with local business; Abbey Business Equipment, but the locals still refer to it as Whaddon Road!
The Carlesberg Stand which was built by Barr Construction, was opened in December 2005 and now has a capacity for 1,100 fans. It is particularly steep in its design, has a perspex windshield to one side and perspex panels incorporated into it's roof, to allow more light to reach the pitch. The stand is unusual in the respect that it has a couple of more rows of seats on one side of it. There is also a small electric scoreboard on its roof.
In 2009 the ground was renamed the Abbey Business Stadium, in a corporate deal with local business; Abbey Business Equipment, but the locals still refer to it as Whaddon Road!
(Stadium info supplied by www.footballgroundguide.com)
TICKETS
It's pay on the day, but bring plenty of spare cash!
Full details here: www.southendunited.co.uk
WEATHER
Coldest day of the year so far; bright but 4c's, it always seems freezing when we play Cheltenham, even in August!
REF
The man in the middle is Jock Waugh from South Yorkshire.
Took no messing from the Stanley players earlier this season when we won 2-1, we wrote at the time, 'Then the handbags stuff, when McIntyre was booked for a foul on Grant, joining a long line, before deciding to take it up with referee Waugh who immediatly gave him a second yellow and he was off!'
Jock's stats this season: www.soccerbase.com
His assistants are Rob Hyde and Mark Russell; the fourth official is Mark Pottage.
FIXTURES
League Two
Friday, December 9th: Torquay v Barnet, 19:45.
Saturday, December 16th; (all kick-offs 15.00): AFC Wimbledon v Accrington Stanley, Aldershot v Shrewsbury, Bradford v Plymouth, Bristol Rovers v Swindon, Cheltenham v Southend, Crawley Town v Burton Albion, Dag & Red v Port Vale, Hereford v Rotherham, Macclesfield v Gillingham, Morecambe v Oxford Utd, Northampton v Crewe.
BET
Cheltenham (to win) - 17/10, Draw - 12/5, Southend (to win) - 7/4.
Best of 9's for Ryan Hall to grab the first goal.
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com
TRANSPORT
By Train: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
By Car: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
By Coach: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
PUB AND PIES
For the best drinking: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
SOMEWHERE TO LAY YOUR HAT
For an overnight stay: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
HISTORY
Cheltenham has a long history of football prior to The Robins. In 1849, the first use of three official referees in a match, two in field and one in tribune was recorded in the town. However, the modern club was founded in 1887 by Albert Close White a local teacher.
The club spent its first three decades in local football, notable players from those days include cricketers Gilbert Jessop and brothers Charles Barnett and Edgar Barnett.
In the early 1930's the club turned professional and joined the Birmingham Combination before joining the Southern League in 1935 and won promotion to the Alliance Premier League (now the Conference National) in 1985, but were relegated seven years later.
They were promoted back to the Conference in 1997 and two years later gained promotion to the Football League. After two mid-table finishes in Division Three (now League Two) they won via the playoffs and were promoted to Division Two (now League One).
The appointment of Steve Cotterill, (now at Portsmouth), as manager during the 1996-97 was the start of a revolution at the club. He is Cheltenham Town's most successful manager.
Four months after taking charge he guided the club to runners-up spot in the Southern Football League Premier Division, but they won promotion to the Football Conference because champions Gresley Rovers were unable to meet the required ground capacity for Conference membership.
He was followed by John Ward, (now head farmer), and, on a full time basis, 'Mad Dog' Keith Allen who was put on gardening leave amid allegations he racially abused a nightclub bouncer!
Kidderminster boss Mark Yates was appointed Robins manager on December 22nd, 2009. Neil Howarth, Yate's assistant at Kidderminster, also joined the League Two side as first-team coach.
Cheltenham continued to struggle through the rest of the season, only managing to avoid relegation on the final day of the season, although they finished four points ahead of the relegated sides. John Schofield, who was in caretaker charge of the club while Allen was on gardening leave, returned to the post of assistant manager until the end of the season.
Yates, ahead of his first full season with Cheltenham, revamped the squad - releasing eight players, including defender Shane Duff, who had just completed his tenth year with the club, and it seems to be working as though they slumped to finish 17th last season, this present campaign they stand third only four points behind the Shrimpers and are off to play Spurs at White hart Lane in the third round of the FA Cup in the new year.
(For a more comprehensive history of the club, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheltenham_Town_F.C.)
The club spent its first three decades in local football, notable players from those days include cricketers Gilbert Jessop and brothers Charles Barnett and Edgar Barnett.
In the early 1930's the club turned professional and joined the Birmingham Combination before joining the Southern League in 1935 and won promotion to the Alliance Premier League (now the Conference National) in 1985, but were relegated seven years later.
They were promoted back to the Conference in 1997 and two years later gained promotion to the Football League. After two mid-table finishes in Division Three (now League Two) they won via the playoffs and were promoted to Division Two (now League One).
The appointment of Steve Cotterill, (now at Portsmouth), as manager during the 1996-97 was the start of a revolution at the club. He is Cheltenham Town's most successful manager.
Four months after taking charge he guided the club to runners-up spot in the Southern Football League Premier Division, but they won promotion to the Football Conference because champions Gresley Rovers were unable to meet the required ground capacity for Conference membership.
He was followed by John Ward, (now head farmer), and, on a full time basis, 'Mad Dog' Keith Allen who was put on gardening leave amid allegations he racially abused a nightclub bouncer!
Kidderminster boss Mark Yates was appointed Robins manager on December 22nd, 2009. Neil Howarth, Yate's assistant at Kidderminster, also joined the League Two side as first-team coach.
Cheltenham continued to struggle through the rest of the season, only managing to avoid relegation on the final day of the season, although they finished four points ahead of the relegated sides. John Schofield, who was in caretaker charge of the club while Allen was on gardening leave, returned to the post of assistant manager until the end of the season.
Yates, ahead of his first full season with Cheltenham, revamped the squad - releasing eight players, including defender Shane Duff, who had just completed his tenth year with the club, and it seems to be working as though they slumped to finish 17th last season, this present campaign they stand third only four points behind the Shrimpers and are off to play Spurs at White hart Lane in the third round of the FA Cup in the new year.
(For a more comprehensive history of the club, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheltenham_Town_F.C.)
