By Rayman
January 29 2003

With Bobby Gould relatively new to the managers job, we aim to lend him a hand in his task of picking Cheltenham Towns best XI by reviewing each player in the current squad.
Steve Book. The obvious number 1, is capable of making brilliant saves to gain The Robins points, sometimes lets himself down with his kicking.

Anthony Griffin. My personal choice for the right-back slot, shows frequent pace up and down the line and capable of a man-marking job if needed, positioning while marking is an improvement he could make.

Jamie Victory. Had a brilliant season last year, but has struggled to adapt to life at a higher level, puts in 100% effort but is often guilty of misplacing easy passes. Still the number one left-back at Whaddon Road.

John Brough. Skippered the side for Goulds first game against Chesterfield and looked very accomplished with his added responsibility, always willing and able, definitely a contender for one of the centre-back positions, can also play as an emergency striker.

Michael Duff. An international defender, need I say more? A definite starter and the best defender at the club, changed well from right-back to his now familiar centre-back position, A Town legend in the making.

Lee Howells. Archie has obviously been out for almost a year after a broken leg sustained at Bristol Rovers last season, in my opinion he may struggle to regain his place ahead of Finnigan and Forsyth in the centre of midfield.

Mark Yates. Yatesie has been brilliant for the club since his arrival, and took temporary charge of team affairs when Graham Allner was sacked. He has however, been another one that has struggled at Division Two level and has found himself out of the first team, maybe his effort levels dropped as he thought his place was assured, still a great player for Town to have waiting in the wings.

Paul Brayson. Has been the main man playing alongside Jules this season, but maybe hasnt had the impact some may have expected. Played on the right hand side against Chesterfield and struggled to make an impact as he often does playing in a wide position. Obviously played under Gould at Cardiff and it seems likely he will be in favour with the new boss, a few more goals would help his confidence.

Tony Naylor. Tone has been injured recently and that hasnt really helped his first team chances. In my opinion he should still be the man playing alongside Jules up front, he has the ability to change a game with just one flash of brilliance, something that will be vital to Cheltenhams survival bid.

Russell Milton. Back in favour since Allners departure, hasnt really produced the form of last season, like much of the squad, he will most likely be forced out of the first team by Grant McCanns arrival but again, is an excellent option for the team if McCann is unavailable.

Shane Higgs. The number 2 keeper at the club. It is very unlikely he will be pushing Bookie for his first team place. Has only been seen in reserve games and the LDV Vans competition this season.

Hugh McAuley. Released by Steve Cotterill and resigned by Graham Allner. Was doing well early in the season and answering his critics with some good work and a few goals on the pitch, injury has disrupted him and is unlikely to hold onto a regular first team place.

Richard Walker. Stand-in captain until he was injured against Port Vale, he hasnt been seen since, again, a contender with Broughy for a centre-back role alongside Michael Duff.

Martin Devaney. I am Chairman of the Martin Devaney fan club so I may be a little biased here. Along with Hugh McAuley he has had a few of the boo boys after him, but his runs down the flanks and crosses for Big Jules are exactly what is needed, since he has started playing on the right wing he has been getting better and better.

Neil Howarth. The holder of Towns right-back position for much of the season. Neil has the capability of causing havoc in the opposition box and getting a few goals to help the teams cause, but he is often caught flat-footed by tricky wingers, an example being Jerome Thomas of QPR, I would choose Griffin ahead of him.

Damien Spencer. Seen as Julian Alsop, with the added bonus of being able to actually run. Has never let the team down when called upon and does not look out of place at all in Division 2, given a run in the team he could do very well.

Julian Alsop. Big Jules is vital for town, his flick ons for other players to feed off are a big part of the game plan. He always gives his all for the team and gets more than his fair share of goals, if he had any pace he could well play at a higher level. It has been suggested he could play centre-back, which is a joke, he is the main striker at the club.

Steve Jones. Has been out of first team contention since breaking his leg at Blackpool in October, on his way back with the reserves but is still down the pecking order at right-back.

Richard Kear. Not much chance of breaking into the first team this year, should think about the possibility of a loan move.

Dave Bird. Like Kear, should think about gaining first team experience at a lower league club.

Shane Duff. Another man vying for the right-back position, has done well when called upon and would not look out of place as a regular in the team.

Grant McCann. The guaranteed holder of left-midfield. As Towns record signing and Goulds first, he is almost certain of a first team place. His quality is there for all to see and was a revelation during his two previous loan spells from West Ham.

Richard Forsyth. Has shown himself to be a good player since signing from Peterborough and looks comfortable in the centre of midfield, also contributing a few goals.

Lee Williams. Still quality in my opinion, like Devaney has the talent to go past players and whip in excellent crosses for the likes of Alsop and Spencer, him and Devaney are the contenders for the right wing position.

John Finnigan. Should be captain on a permanent basis, has been a shining light in the season and never lets the team down, how he hasnt played at a higher level I shall never know, a definate starter alongside Forsyth.

Cheltenhamtown.tks best Cheltenham Town XI

1.Steve Book
2.Anthony Griffin
3.Jamie Victory
6.Michael Duff
10.Tony Naylor
15.Richard Walker
16.Martin Devaney
19.Julian Alsop
25.Grant McCann
26.Richard Forsyth
28.John Finnigan