2016-17 | #2 | First defeat - Cracks appearing?

Almost a year on since the last domestic defeat at Whaddon Road, Cheltenham finally fell to a loss at the hands of Darren Fergusons Doncaster Rovers.

After three straight draws out of the opening three games in the Robins return to the football league, cracks that were identified by Johnson in the final pre-season game at Bristol Rovers, have enlarged over the course of the last few league games. A wonder goal from O'Shaughnessy away to Mansfield lifted the spirits on what was a pretty poor showing, they weren't outclassed by the by the Stags, however on the day they really struggled to get anything going and struggled with the basics. 

Onto the trek towards the the Scottish border we stopped short at Carlisle in what was expected to be another tough battle. Although the squad was looking bare, the travelling 117 fans as well as the ones listening at home were hoping for a rejuvenated performance from the Robins. James Dayton and Asa Hall were welcomed back to the squad, at the expense of Dan Holman and Amari Morgan-Smith to injury. Again the performance wasn't anywhere near what we have come to expect from this group, in another frustrating game it ended 1-1 with an equaliser in the dying minutes of the game. Town were constantly hounded from start to finish with balls being pummelled into the box and the crossbar hit numerous times. Dayton's return sparked the only real excitement, with his run from deep inside our own half to the edge of the 18-yard box, to feed through Harry Pell to finish nicely in the bottom corner.

Carlisle Away (1-1)

For my full thoughts on the Carlisle game  - Carlisle Review

Following the game, Johnson again came out questioning the ability of his squad, with the unknown return date of last seasons top goalscorer Dan Holman, and Amari still feeling not 100% reinforcements were clearly needed. I have to admit I got quite giddy at the news of Koby Arthur returning to the club on loan. Johnson clearly doing his homework on a proven success, and the Ghanaian probably feels he has unfinished business with us after his early recall in our relegation season. He was shortly followed by the arrival another loan signing and winger Jonny Smith from the Johnson affiliate Bristol City. 

Koby came straight into the starting XI in what arguably was going to be the toughest opponent out of our openers, and required the biggest of reactions from the squad to the previous games. However again the Cheltenham squad as a whole were non-existent, nothing was clicking and the basics we're going so horribly wrong. Pell was in a one man midfield as we still are failing to get the best out of Whitehead, we can't expect to play any real football if we can't play anything through our midfield, the return of Storer is long-awaited. Ex-loanee John Marquis got the inevitable breakthrough in a scrappy game, which saw Jordan Cranston end up in midfield and Asa Hall at right-back. 

Heads turned to the out-of-favour Jack Barthram slumped on the bench long gone after the full-time whistle, a disagreement with Johnson perhaps, or just a tantrum and fit of frustration from what has been a quality and consistent player for us. 

It's hard to cast an opinion off four games into the season, when the fixture list splurged up these opening games I wasn't exactly expecting us to run riot, however I also wasn't expecting the lacklustre performances our heroes of last season have mustered up. Before each game so far I have had literally no idea what outcome to expect. Admittedly I've been happy to take a draw from each game, due to strengths of the opposition, although I've expected the characters in this squad to possibly pull of a noble win, even though we've come close we've never really looked like winning any, possibly the season opener against Orient towards the end. However I have been more sided to the expectancy of a loss, especially during the last two games, and it is purely down to the previous performances, not only has it lacked the quality, we've seriously lacked that character of last season. 

As you can tell it's been a complete mixed bag of thoughts and emotions, and there have been some really interesting insights to be seen on social media, which just emphasises the reason for expectancy and non-expectancy. I do feel confidence is low amongst the troops, as well as in numbers, with news of another arrival, and again another winger in free agent Jeffrey Monakana. Questions have been raised at the mind-games of Johnson, should he be battering the players in interviews? Are the cracks appearing in his own head, playing left-backs in centre mid, centre mids at right back?

I feel the most important thing is Johnson has stayed true to us fans, the players and himself. He said he will make or break these players, and if they aren't good enough they will be found out. The other important thing is it's only August, if things aren't going right they will be sorted, but first of all this has to be given time. We're trying to work with what we have got, the new boys need to be 'brainwashed' into the playing style, the more experienced players are now having to adopt a different formation, something out of practice from the long slog of last season, whether it lasts or not we have to have faith and not be hasty on the panic buttons.

Mansfield Away (1-1)

Opinion on booing

Something which always manages to tickle me when it crops up on Twitter is about the 'boo boys' as they were called on Saturday. I myself didn't boo after the game, although that being said even if I wanted to I couldn't be bothered after being so deflated by the showing. 

However it always niggles at me when people do get frowned upon for showing their thoughts on a poor performance, as to be fair none of us are questioned for cheering after a win, or clapping after a solid game with quality throughout. I'm looking at it from the perspective as Johnson has basically been in the same shoes as the booing fans, only expressing his disappointment in the players he has been working so hard with. It's not a sign of giving up, it's more an expression of this isn't good enough, something has to be changed, I'm all for getting behind the players and I do feel it's a method of showing the same emotion Johnson has been showing in his post-match interviews.

Whether I feel it's wrong or right I respect each persons view on the football, and don't feel other fans should be offended by another showing disapproval from a poor performance, and the comment rang true on Saturday of "should we clap them" after that. My opinion is no. Just a penny for your thoughts. 

Whatever happens on Tuesday night and the rest of the season, enjoy it and get behind the lads. Hopefully the weight is lifted off the shoulders in what should be a brilliant occasion at St.James Park, again I don't know what to expect maybe we could pull of the win and regain some of that drive and belief? Who knows? 

2016-17 | #1 | Leyton Orient and the seasons expectations

After a pretty torrid pre-season - which included the loss to hated tenants and rivals Gloucester City, and ended in a 3-0 loss to Bristol Rovers - slight worry was creeping into the fans as we anticipated our first game back in the Football League.

Potential hangover from the dream 'bounceback' campaign led to not only fans, but the vocal gaffer Gary Johnson question whether the team would be capable for the heights of League 2 football. With less than a week before the season opener, many heads would've been scratched at the thought of a manager asking such a question. Knowing it was somewhat a kick up the backside, there was a slight hint of truth, as not only were we without a 'desired' number one goalkeeper, our favoured back three only consisted of two.

Nevertheless in Johnson we trust, and a day or two prior to match. after a saddening week for the club we welcomed goalkeeper Russel Griffiths and centre half Easah Suliman joined from Everton and Aston Villa respectively. 

However the first team sheet released this season threw up a few shocks, as not only did it not match the formation used since last season, it was also missing some important faces. A lot of expectation has been heaped on James Dayton to be the creator this season but an injury set-back for him and Asa Hall kept them out of the opener as the Robins adapted to an attacking 4-3-3 with Barthram dropping to the bench for the newcomer Suliman to slot in at right back.

It couldn't have started much worse for the Robins as Gavin Massey got away from Jennings and latched on from a cross to open the scoring for the O's. It was fair to say we were being made to look like a National League side for the first 45 minutes. Jennings marking was questionable to say the least, and while I'm not one to jump on a new players back,  he's not at all impressed me in the pre-season and I feel a lot more comfortable with Jordan Cranston on the left side, only time will tell. I. I'm sure given time he will bed in well and prove his worth which saw him make the team of the season last year.

Massey opens the scoring for Orient after questionable defending from Jennings - @leytonorientfc

It came to the 65th minute and we werent threatening where we usually do from the wing back positions, off came Jennings and Suliman for Cranston and Barthram, as well as Billy Waters adding a 4th attacker to the game. The intent and domination changed drastically from then on, and Waters managed to find the equaliser in a move he started and finished. We really saw the Billy Waters of last season, although he would hate to be branded a super sub, he has continued to prove it on many occasions.

From then on it was pretty clear there was a statement of intent and we couldn't sit back from the equaliser, probably due to the fact we had such an attacking side proving their dominance, as well as having no subs left. Barthram and Billy carried on the onslaught of attack down the right side which Orient were really struggling to handle.

Alas the winning goal couldn't be found and it ended a stalemate, a tale of last season where Cheltenham struggled to get going until the half time team talk. However it was a very promising result in the end and the second half performance makes you wonder what we can do if we play to our best for 90 minutes.

Robins looking to triumph again this season? - @JonPalmerSport

Season Expectations

In the build up to Saturday's game and all throughout the off season I was finding it hard to work out what exactly should we be expecting this season in our first attempt back in the football league. Baker and Johnson both stated desire to go for promotion again but it hasn't got the same importance nor drive of last seasons championship win. I've seen an array of different predictions and many seem happy for us to just survive but I know we are much better than that. 

Although I can't see us taking the league by storm I think we are a lot more prepared and ahead of many teams with the group we've got. Many teams in this league have completely replaced their playing squad and it's going to take a couple of months to see each player adapt and be at their full playing potential in their new teams. I feel a mid table finish would be respectable for our group, and although we want to make a habit of what Bristol Rovers have done, I'm happy with solidarity this season. A play off spot is reachable in my opinion and the possibility of that will keep the season exciting for the team and us fans.

Next up, we face a tough test in the first round of the league cup - another competition we'll be returning to as a result of promotion. Charlton Athletic is actually turning out to be a fairly ironic team to face, as Dillon Phillips is very likely to face us in his debut for the Addicks. The saga which almost went on as long as Pogba returning to United ended in a somewhat uncalled for meltdown amongst some fans .It'll be great to see Dillon come back to somewhere he had so much success at, albeit playing for the opposition it's a place where he's hopefully kick-started a successful career, and all fans will be wishing him the best of luck.

Hopefully following in his footsteps, along with other keepers previous to Phillips' reign is Russel Griffiths, someone who has set high expectations to surpass Butlands incredible efforts during his loan spell here. Along with him and the whole of the squad let's get behind the boys for what can hopefully be another jubilant season. As always they'll be counting on our loyal support. Come on you Robins!

All the best Dillon! - @GlosEchoLive