Who says lightning doesn't strike twice? Rewind back to February 2007, and Cheltenham hosted Bournemouth in a relegation six pointer. In a scrappy game with few chances, Cheltenham won with a header in injury time.
Almost exactly a year later, Cheltenham hosted Bournemouth in a relegation six pointer, and won a scrappy encounter with a header in injury time, David Bird the hero of the day.
Watching the game made me realise a few things.
1. Ashley Vincent is not up to League One standard.
2. The return of Scott Brown has come at a great time.
3. Andy Lindegaard is not comfortable at right back.
The loan signings also did well. Steve Brooker played much of the game before coming off. Brooker is at Whaddon Road to get fit, after an injury ravaged year, and along with Alex Russell, he joins Steven Gillespie, Damien Spencer and both Scott Browns as former Bristol City players at Cheltenham. Even a half fit Brooker is in my opinion better than Paul Connor, with Craig Reid still not getting a look in, and likely to move on if he doesn't get his chance. Russell is a decent partner for Dave Bird in central midfield, while John Finnigan recovers from his continuous injury saga.
All things said and done, the win was crucial and, coupled with a 2-0 success at Hartlepool on Friday night, put Cheltenham into 20th place, a point above Millwall who they meet on January 29. Cheltenham's home form has been half decent this season, while Millwall's has been, well, patchy to say the least. Before that though, they face Carlisle at home, which of course is ex-manager John Ward's return to Whaddon Road. This promises to be a tricky game.
Transfer wise, there are a few players worth looking at, namely Oxford's Rob Duffy. Duffy has Football League experience with Rushden and Diamonds, although it could be argued that while he's guaranteed to get goals, most of these come from the penalty spot.
JAMES LEWIS
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