The 2017-18 season will be the 2nd successive season that Cheltenham Town FC have played in Sky Bet League Two, which since their promotion back in 2016 is important for a club that are looking to assert themselves in league football.
However, the Robins have been struggling of late both domestically and in squad depth following a recent 2-0 defeat at home to promotion chasing Accrington Stanley, where the left-back position in particular was a clear weak point.
It was evident against Stanley that the goals conceded could’ve been avoided had it been for more of a suitable defensive line, with the away side arguably not working too hard for either of their goals.
An unmarked header from a corner and a poor back pass were the two comical errors that lead to Stanley’s two goals, with home supporters dreading the worst with another defeat.
In the defeat to Stanley, manager Gary Johnson was forced to play young right-back Taylor Moore at left-back and influential midfielder Carl Winchester at right-back, both of whom were clearly not as comfortable in these positions than they are in their usual positions.
Admittedly, Cheltenham have been very unfortunate with injuries this season as regular left-back Jordan Cranston has been out since with a hamstring injury since November and will continue to miss the remainder of the season which is a huge blow for the Robins.
We are now midway through the winter transfer window with many Cheltenham fans hoping of a new left-back come its closure in two weeks time, with several targets being mentioned and hoped for.
Reinforcements have however been have been hard to come by so far with a number of trialists coming over in a bid to win a pro deal. Gideon Adu-Peprah is one name that stands out as the 19-year old Ghanian defender came to trial back earlier this season but couldn’t secure a pro deal with the Gloucestershire-based side.
Defender Dan O’Shaughnessy has already left the club this window to go back home in Finland with HJK and as O’Shaughnessy had already been filling in for Cranston’s at left-back, this leaves the Reds even more exposed at the back.
Cheltenham Town fans will be hopeful that a new defensive addition will be brought in come the end of the January transfer window in two weeks time.
