This Week's Opposition: Cheltenham Town

Photo Credit: Cheltenham Town FC

Last week’s goalless draw at Lincoln served as Jon Harley’s first game as assistant to head coach John Mousinho. He’ll get his first taste of Fratton Park from the dugout this weekend… Cheltenham Town the visitors.

Pompey remain 10th in League One after their previous game ended in a points return of just 1, following a 0-0 draw at Sincil Bank last Saturday.

The Robins are up next in matchday number 31 in League One for the Blues, who are looking to close the gap on the top 6.

MANAGER

Southampton born former AFC Bournemouth and Burnley midfielder Wade Elliott is the man leading Cheltenham Town at present.

The 44-year-old succeeded the outgoing Michael Duff in June of last year and had only previously managed at youth level for Bristol City and Stoke before arriving at Whaddon Road.

Since his promotion to the role in the summer, Elliott has racked up a win percentage of 32.5, securing victory in 13 of his 40 matches in charge across all competitions.

ONE TO WATCH

32-year-old Liam Sercombe should be closely monitored by the Blues this weekend.

The Cheltenham midfielder has been a big presence in the Football League since his debut for Exeter City in 2007, making over 500 senior appearances since.

Sercombe has plied his trade for 4 different clubs across his near 16 year career to date, starting at the aforementioned Exeter before moving to Oxford United, Bristol Rovers and now of course Cheltenham.

So far this season, Sercombe has made 27 league appearances, scoring 1 goal. Throughout The Robins’ run to the Papa John’s Trophy Semi-Final however, he scored 3 goals in 4 matches.

TOP SCORER

Cheltenham’s number 10, Alfie May is the club’s leading scorer across all competitions so far this season.

The 29-year-old striker, formerly of Doncaster Rovers until his move down to Cheltenham in 2020, has so far found the back of the net on 10 occasions this term - 1 in the Papa John’s Trophy and 9 in the league.

On Tuesday evening, May reached a milestone with The Robins, making his 150th appearance for the club.

CURRENT FORM

Wade Elliott’s side are in danger of dropping back down to League Two this season - They sit in 19th position and just 3 points clear of the Relegation Zone with Accrington Stanley in 21st having a game in hand as well.

In their last fixture, The Robins were defeated on penalties in their Papa John’s Trophy Semi-Final clash away at Plymouth Argyle.

Last time out between the Blues and Cheltenham, a 2-0 victory was recorded in favour of Pompey with Colby Bishop on the scoresheet twice on that day back in August.

So will it be back to winning ways for the Blues when they return to home soil this weekend?

Tune in for all of the unmissable action when Pompey Live returns this Saturday at 2pm - Robbie James, Dean Adams and Portsmouth Women's head coach Jay Sadler will provide full pre-match build-up, half-time analysis and post-match reaction from Fratton Park!