By Peegs
November 17 2003

Following the defeat away at Torquay I look at the squad and decide which players need to buck their ideas up under new manager John Ward. With the team now only a couple of places above the drop zone things need to improve quick, I have split the squad up into 5 categories:, the players Playing Well, those Doing OK with room for improvement, those Not performing, need to improve, those Yet to be given a proper chance this season and those who fall into the unwanted category of Oh Dear.

Having analysed the squads performance it is clear why we are sitting in the sorry position in the table that we do as I can only find 3 players to fit into the category of ‘Playing Well’, they are as follows:

Jamie Victory : Jamie has been back to his best this season with strong surges down the left flank, also has a couple of important goals to his name in the victories over Kidderminster and Darlington, unfortunately out at present with a Hamstring injury.

Mark Yates: Although some will slate him for his somewhat wayward passing at times ‘Yatesie’s’ main job is to dominate the centre of the field and this he does always giving 100%. Some will say the number 1 centre midfield partnership should be Forsyth and Finnigan, however on current form Yates will be one of the first names on the team sheet. Also pops up with important goals such as the Second half header versus Hull recently.

Damian Spencer: Showed all Cheltenham supporters what he is capable of earlier in the season with a quick fire hat trick against League leaders Hull City. A powerful striker has now learnt how to jump, a part of his game that was missing last season. Currently on a run of scoring in 3 consecutive games - York City, Hull City and Torquay - his best form since joining from Bristol City.

I now must move on to the category of ‘Doing OK, but with room for improvement’. These are players who you couldn’t classify as playing bad but you know there is more to the game that hopefully John Ward can extract. There are 6 players who I put in this category :

Michael Duff: Many will say he should be in the above category however this years Michael can play better at this level, has a tendency to make mistakes like in the recent match at Torquay and for an International player could up his game from the current level.

Paul Brayson: Hasn’t really had a settled run in the side since joining from Cardiff 2 summer’s ago however is now being given his chance. Recent goals against Yeovil and Hull show his potential and the effort is there. However still to show the Cheltenham public why the Bluebirds fans were so surprised Lennie Lawrence let him leave Ninian Park.

Shane Higgs: Taken over as the number one from Steve Book and look solid most of the time inbetween the sticks, however communication with the back four at times is suspect and recently was slow off his line for Hull’s goal in the FA Cup, nearly fell into the ‘Playing Well’ category but a few recent lapses in concentration put him in this section of the report.

Graham Fyfe: A somewhat surprise omission from the team under Bloomer’s caretaker reign but I for one hope John Ward gives Fyfe a run in the team as he has shown a lot of promise as a left sided player. One of Bobby Gould’s success stories and even this was down to his son who recommended him. Still has a lot of room for improvement but shows a heart and desire that the paying public like to see.

John Finnigan: Many have been critical of John however I’m happy to see his name on the team sheet, a busy little player who will run his heart out for the team and has a good eye for a pass. Sometimes runs out of steam in games but puts in 100% effort. Has missed some of the season through injury, could up another gear but this will come with fitness.

John Brough: After his upfront heroics at the end of last season John has seen himself used as a defender this year in recent games and has looked OK without really shining. Always up for an aerial battle as he showed when up against Burgess of Hull, sometimes caught out with his lack of pace but makes up for this with his effort and determination, a good man for John Ward to have in the team.

I will now move onto the category of ‘Not performing, need to improve!’ which see’s 5 players present :

Bob Taylor: Big things were expected of ‘Super Bob’ after his arrival from West Brom however as yet has done very little. A brace against Leyton Orient being his most noteable achievement. Spends a lot of time on the deck looking for a free kick and seems somewhat shot shy. Recently dropped to the bench, improvement needed!

Grant McCann :Some will look at Grant’s goals record this season and say ‘how is McCann in this section?’, well the answer to that is most of his goals come from set plays. Other than these he drifts out of a lot of games and can sometimes be caught out trying an overly clever pass. Playing at left back recently in the absence of Jamie Victory but must be careful before he is left back in the changing rooms!

Martin Devaney: Can be brilliant at times but at other times very frustrating. Needs to be more consistent and improve on his crossing, there were rumours of a rift with Gould circulating around the terraces so we may see the best of Martin under John Ward.

David Bird: Maybe a bit harsh on the lad with him only being 18 and playing out of position but has looked shaky at right back. A local lad who will always give 100% but performances last season show there is room for significant improvement in his game. Will need the support of the crowd not groans when he does something wrong.

Darren Jones: A controversial decision to put are Bristol City loanee here but the amount of times he has been caught out of position this season is un real, maybe this is down to inexperience but that needs to improve. Has recently been moved to right back where he has looked more solid. Whether or not Ward should keep Jones I don’t know.

I now move onto the category I have named ‘Oh dear!’, 2 players have been put in this section :

Lee Howells: Is and always will be a Cheltenham legend however doesn’t seem to have recovered from his broken leg and has looked out of his depth since his comeback. An horrendous error against Mansfield led to them scoring a goal and I feel Ward should look at other player to fill the right midfield role.

Kayode Odejayi: Has been out of the side for a while do to lack of form, whether this was down to the tactics played under Gould or being out of his depth I do not know, a spell in the reserves or a loan out to a conference club is what is needed at present to get the Nigerian’s confidence back.

With all squad’s there are those players who haven’t had a chance and the following players fill up the last category: ‘Yet to be given a proper chance this season’:

Steve Book: A competent goalkeeper at this level but has only had a few chances this season. Didn’t help himself getting sent off up at Boston however Ward knows he has a capable number 2 to call upon if Higgs needs a rest from first team action.

Antony Griffin: Was part of the promotion winning defence from this division so it is a surprise that he hasn’t been given a chance yet this year. Unlike Bird if caught out of position he has the pace to get back and if I was Ward I’d give Griffin a game and say ‘make this position yours’.

Ben Cleverley: Another Bristol City cast off, Ben is a left sided player who has limited first team opportunities however was voted Man of the Match recently against Hull City in the FA Cup. Has potential but needs chances to show what he can do at first team level.

Craig Dobson: The Nike Skills Champion has only had a few games and these were all coming on as a substitute. Showed good pace and some nice crosses in the LDV game versus Colchester and in the following league game versus Rochdale. One for the future.

Bertrand Cozic: The Frenchman is currently injured at present but in the early part of the season showed some good performances in the centre of the park. Strong surges from the midfield and a goal against Swansea showed us what he could do however has played little since.

Shane Duff: Another to have been unlucky with injury this season. A regular Northern Ireland Under 21 International Shane has a lot of potential and played well at Division 2 level. Needs to work on his positioning but when this is sorted out John Ward has a good defender to call upon.

Luke Corbett: Scored plenty of goals for the reserves and has come on a couple of times as a substitute for the first team. Nearly scored against Darlington in the league and should be given the chance from the bench under Ward in the coming season.

Luke Buttery:Utterly Butterly as the fans like to call him is currently on loan at Cirencester. Have yet to see him in action myself although those who have say he has the potential to make it as a footballer if he beefs up a bit.

So there you have it my review of the squad at present. If there is cash in the kitty I’m sure Ward will be looking to bring in some defenders as we have the worst defensive record in the football league. Come on lads lets rise up that table!