Steve Cotterill‘s impact at boyhood club Cheltenham Town has been one of the most impressive managerial jobs of the past 12 months.
He inherited a side bottom of the league with just four points from their first nine games, reappointed at Whaddon Road after 23 years away. Cotterill received a hero’s welcome and, after starting with a victory over Fleetwood Town, eased Cheltenham to an 18th-placed finish.
Things have got even better since. The signings of Wyll Stanway, Jake Evans and Charlie McCann have elevated Cheltenham into the promotion conversation, sitting fifth in League Two after 14 games.
The improvement in collective performance from last season hasn’t been meteoric. But Cheltenham now have match-winners.
Cheltenham’s new match-winners
Stanway — brother of England women’s star Georgia — has ascended up the leagues with Macclesfield Town, Chester and Barrow. And he’ll soon go above League Two.
The 25-year-old has made 42 saves in League Two so far this season, with only Connor Ripley (66) and Jed Ward (55) making more. Some of them have been big saves too, bailing Cheltenham out on occasions. He put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 2-1 win over Chesterfield, and saved Harrison Biggins‘ penalty in a 1-0 victory against Newport County.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Evans and McCann have struck up a fantastic relationship. Evans joined on loan from a top academy at Leicester City, and the 18-year-old has demonstrated sumptuous talent. He’s got the skill, trickery, an eye for goal, but also the vision to assist.
Telepathic partnership
Evans has taken on the attacking baton for Cheltenham on the right, with an industrious left-sider like Jordan Shipley or Ryan Broom offering balance. And he’s flourished with four goals and four assists in League Two.
McCann seems to know exactly when to start his run towards the edge of the box, because four of Cheltenham’s goals this season have come from Evans getting into the final third, and cutting the ball back for the Northern Irishman.
The former Manchester United trainee seems to balance midfield graft with being available to make good runs into goalscoring areas. And his execution is sublime.
So, there’s no question Cheltenham have at least three of the best players in the division in key areas. It could arguably be four, with midfielder Ben Stevenson, who previously starred at this level with Forest Green in their 2021/22 title-winning season. He’s been quite the free-agent pickup for Cotterill’s first signing.
Plus, Andreas Weimann has demonstrated valuable higher-level nous, and Jonathan Tomkinson is one of the top defenders in the league: whether he plays in his natural position of centre-back, last season’s position of left-back, or this season’s position of right-back.
That said, there is a sense of those players elevating the rest of the squad, especially when midfield battler Shaun McWilliams is suspended.
Winter business needed
As such, a positive winter window is essential for the Robins to maintain their push, even if Leicester allow Evans to remain in situ.
A touch more athleticism is needed in central defence, either alongside veteran James Wilson or as cover. As well as a left-back to ease the pressure on Josh Tomlinson’s January return after hamstring surgery.
Elsewhere, a midfield rotation option would be helpful to cover for Stevenson and McWilliams, with the latter’s stand-in, Freddy Willcox excelling against top teams in Barnet and Salford when called upon but still developing. One big injury would leave the area very light.
Robins could also do with an additional threat on the flanks. Ideally a pacey winger who can play on the left or offer cover for Evans on the right.
However, this may yet prove to be the other Leicester loanee, Kirsten Otchere. The 20-year-old has looked better out wide cutting inside than he has playing with his back to goal. So Cheltenham could do with one more focal point.
So, while the team are performing well, they may need another five additions in January, providing no major outgoings. And this winter window could determine whether Cheltenham can go from being a largely decent side — elevated by star individualism — to one with all the ingredients to last the course.