Before the new adventure in the Vanarama National League could begin for Cheltenham, the Robins had to undergo the complete squad overhaul and new beginnings, and it all starts with pre-season. Always a handy time for the new team-mates to make their first impressions on the fans, the manager and their other colleagues.
This season Gary Johnsons new squad would begin the pre-season travelling to three consecutive away games, Cirencester Town, Evesham United and Weston Super Mare. This giving the pitch at Whaddon Road (refusing to call it by its new name) an extended period to properly bed in, and gain that carpet like texture that can hopefully be sustained over the course of the new season.
Cirencester Town
Ten of the eleven new signings started at the Corinium Stadium, the two keepers completing a half each, also making an appearance was trialist Daniel Parslow from York. Johnson hinted during an interview that the first few games he will be playing two sets of eleven in each half and at this stage it's all about fitness and embedding the tactics and playing style.
The first half saw plenty of chances being created, and while everyone was trying to work out who was who, it felt as if there was a huge breathe of fresh air within the squad. A diamond style shape seemed to be the judgement of most, with lots of switching and movement all across the middle of the park, which saw bags of dominance and creativity. Also adding to the attacking options was the constant options of pace down the flanks of new wing backs Jack Barthram and George Mclennan.
All throughout the half Danny Wright was proving a real handful, a saved one-on-one opportunity, and then managing to dispossess the keeper, it was a surprise to see the teams go in at half-time at 0-0, Cheltenham could have easily been two goals better off.
Eager to impress, the youth academy graduates from previous seasons, shown an aggressive attacking manner starting the second half, Hanks, Williams and Kotwica all throwing everything at them. A collective team effort, the understanding between the more well-known players proved the clicking point, and it wasn't soon before the hunger and desire to make ends meet finally happened. Zack Kotwica linking up well with with his partner Harry Williams to slot home past the keeper.
As the minutes passed, the dominance well and truly clear, the change of quality showed, a well worked short corner, and then a dummy, saw Hanks lash one into the roof off the net. Not long after Vaughan completed the 3-0 scoreline with some great footwork, and a well hit weak foot drive. A real statement of desire from what can only be seen as the fringe players.
Evesham United
With Omari-Sterling James, and Jamal Lawrence not present trialing with Oxford City, youth player James McCarthy started in the first XI, in a flipped side from the Cirencester game. Unfortunately the youngster came off after 30 minutes, with what looked like a painful injury. On came Jack Munns, who played the most out of anyone this pre-season at 60 minutes.
It was again a fairly impressive showing from the youngsters, Adam Page stood out well on the left, and has set a really good impression upon the gaffer, gaining an assist to Harry Williams who comfortably put the Robins into the lead, and doubled it soon after from a pinpoint driven cross from Lee Vaughan. Paul Collicuts men managed to pull one back before the break, after taking their odd chance well.
The second half saw the same eleven that started at Cirencester, Munns well into the game, the midfield oozed class against a struggling opposition. With Kyle Storer firmly holding in the well organised diamond, all of the attacking midfielders, and strikers managed to get on score sheet, taking the tally up to seven by the end of the match. The quality was really on show, in terms of creativity, movement, and most of all the finishing, not one of those which would have described the Cheltenham team only a matter of weeks ago.
The power and stature of Harry Pell, organisation of Kyle Storer, creativity of wide players, finishing and partnership up top shows what a brilliant spine the team holds going into the season. One thing to question within this game however was the ability for opposition to grab another two goals. One a brilliant finish from a free-kick, the other Dillon Phillips would be disappointed with his efforts, and then a fumble from a cross not soon after. This however shows their is competition for the number 1 slot, with two equally decent keepers, it will be interesting which one Gary Johnson chooses after pre-season performances.
Weston Super Mare
After two positive displays from both sets of eleven, this final away friendly of the three was the point in where more educated and reasoned judgements could be voiced. It's hard not to be optimistic with the team we have compared to last season, and the start of this game only added the confidence and hope in the air for the coming season.
It took all of three minutes for Amari Morgan-Smith to begin the scoring, heading low and hard into the goal from a drilled Jack Munns free-kick. Add another three minutes to that, and Danny Wright fed his partner through on goal, slotting home with a cool finish for his second of the game. The attacking play in the first half was just as consistent in previous outings from the new signings, and it could have easily been five or six goals to the better come half time.
The scoring was wrapped up though on the 40th minute, Wright latching onto a goalkeepers error slamming it into the roof of the net. A player of his size and stature could be looking to cause some serious problems for defences this season, alongside the pace of his strike partner it has the shaping of a formidable force.
The second half saw some of the new signings get some added minutes as Johnson began to test their fitness ahead of harder opposition, and also if the oncoming players worked well with what looks to be a set eleven. Although no goals managed to find the net, the attacking style was forever present throughout the final 45, many fans would have also been pleased to see Asa Hall fit back into the set-up nicely after his four minutes all of last season.
Page, Williams and Bowen all played a distinguish role across the pitch, as well as Lee Vaughan who has come to life within the pre-season clearing off the line on this occasion, it will be interesting to see if he may be playing a part next season. On the other hand, the likes of Zack and Bobbie haven't really stood out despite their best efforts, and could possibly end up on loan elsewhere, along with Deaman.
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