Cheltenham Town
Today we move onto the second team NCM believes will get relegated from League Two this season, and again it could be seen as a controversial choice. New to League Two this season, it's Cheltenham Town...Last Season
It's fair to say last season didn't go particularly well for Cheltenham Town. Their man director withdrew his funds from the club, leaving the Robins on the verge of administration and having to operate in a competitive division with a wafer thin squad that always looked like it was going to be up against it. Keith Downing lasted just a few games before, with the Robins rooted to the bottom of the table, he was sacked and Martin Allen was brought in to try and save the club from relegation.
However, Allen never looked capable of doing so and despite some shrewd loan moves in the likes of Lewis Montrose and Dean Sinclair, the Robins' fate was sealed after a draw against Carlisle United, despite a spirited effort in the closing months of the season. Down to League Two they bring a small and limited squad, after losing a number of players over the summer.
The Manager
He's back, League Two's favourite manager, Martin Allen is the man in charge at Whaddon Road. But it seems he's gone a little bit nuts since he left MK Dons two years ago. Over the post season Mad Dog's been getting up to a few interesting things, he was bann
Allen made his name at Barnet, before moving to Brentford where he lead the Bees to the League One play-offs, before leaving for pastures new at MK Dons. Again, he lead a side to the play-offs but choked at the final hurdle before an ill-fated spell at Leicester City, where he upset Milan Mandaric and just about everyone in the city. So it was to Cheltenham Town to rebuild his reputation, but he struggled to have any impact at all on the club last season.
Last word goes to his most insane decision of all, though. Giving Julian Alsop a contract at the club. A man who's played for most of the Football League, Alsop spent his best years at Whaddon Road, scoring 35 goals at the club. However, his career rather went downhill after he was sacked by Oxford United for an incident allegedly involving a banana and youth team player's bottom. Alsop was last seen being not particularly prolific at Bishops Cleever. Whoever they are.
The Squad
Alsop aside, Allen has hardly been bringing in the forwards who Cheltenham will need to make a fight of League Two this season. Barry Hayles must be at least 67 by now, and although he may score occasionally he won't spend enough time on the pitch to be a real asset to the Robins. Meanwhile, the third attacking acquisition, Justin Richards, is one of those many strikers who score bucketfuls in the Conference before being given a chance at a League Club. Where they duly flop and head back to the Conference, starting the cycle again. See Daryl Clare and Tim Sills for other examples.
Defensively the Robins look vaguely competent, Scott Brown is a solid enough goalkeeper and Shane Duff should be an excellent defender for this level if he can remain fit. Drissa Diallo and Lee Ridley should both be solid enough at this level also. However, a good defence is often not enough to keep a side out of trouble, as teams such as Notts have demonstrated in the past.
Meanwhile, their midfield doesn't really seem to exist at all. Josh Low is a bog standard League Two winger who can run but can't cross a football and David Hutton is an unproven ex-Tottenham youngster with potential but no experience. Losing John Finnigan due to his consistent injury problems will be a massive blow, with the ex-Lincoln man being one of the main reasons the Robins got out of this division in the first place, while Ashley Vincent was an inconsistent but precocious talent who can win vital points at this level. Centrally they have very little at all, and Allen needs to look at strengthening extensively. But does he have the budget?
Prediction
Surprising maybe, given their recent relegation from the division above, but taken on merit Cheltenham's side is no better than one which will struggle in League Two, while their manager is struggling to find the magic touch that brought him success at Brentford and MK Dons. A huge lack of funds means reinforcements could be limited and lacking in the quality and experience Cheltenham will need if they are to prove NCM wrong.
23rd
