This Week's Opposition: Cheltenham Town

After Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Exeter, the Blues make a swift return to Fratton Park… This time Cheltenham Town the visitors for Pompey’s 2nd home match this week.

That midweek victory ensured John Mousinho’s side maintained their unbeaten start to the season, collecting their 3rd consecutive win to add on to the 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers on the opening day.

Their opponents for league matchday number 4 have slightly differing fortunes… Let’s dive into that now, starting with their gaffer!

MANAGER

The Robins are managed by 44-year-old Wade Elliott - He was appointed at the helm of the club in June 2022, following the departure of Michael Duff at Whaddon Road.

Elliott had initially joined Cheltenham as a coach in September 2020 but was promoted to the role of head coach just over a year ago. This is his first managerial role at a senior side, having previously taken charge of the Bristol City Under-21s and Stoke City Under-23s.

The former midfielder, who was best known for his Football League experiences with AFC Bournemouth and Burnley between the years 2000 and 2011, hails from the wrong side of the M27… Elliott was born in Southampton and came through their youth academy, graduating from it in 1994.

ONE TO WATCH

33-year-old midfielder Liam Sercombe is always a player who needs monitoring.

Sercombe has been in the professional game causing problems for EFL sides since 2007, when he was promoted from the Exeter City academy to their first team.

Since then he has also represented Oxford United and Bristol Rovers, registering 500 league appearances and plenty more in cup and trophy competitions too.

Sercombe, who arrived at Cheltenham in August 2020, will be the player wearing the number 8 shirt at PO4 this weekend.

TOP SCORER

To put it simply, Cheltenham do not have a top scorer - The Robins have failed to score a single goal in any of their 4 matches in league and cup this season.

Last year’s top scorer in the league, Alfie May, has since moved on and signed for League One rivals Charlton Athletic.

It’s clear that Wade Elliott’s side are, so far, struggling to find a source of goals since May’s departure earlier this summer.

CURRENT FORM

Cheltenham could not have gotten off to a worse start this season.

Wade Elliott’s outfit have struggled to find the back of the net this campaign, registering 0 goals across their 4 games in all competitions thus far.

On top of this, The Robins have failed to keep opposition attacks at bay, losing all of their matches played as well.

They were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Birmingham City on home soil, losing that one by 2 goals to nil.

In the league, Cheltenham occupy 21st position following a 1-0 defeat at Shrewsbury on the opening day, which was followed by a 3-0 thrashing by Bolton and a 1-0 loss to Reading in their previous match on Tuesday evening.

The form guide indicates this should be a routine win for the Blues, but will that be the case?

All of the unmissable action will be right here on 93.7 Express FM, DAB Digital Radio, Online & iFollow Pompey from 2 O'Clock on Saturday afternoon (August 19th) when Pompey Live returns - Robbie James, Jake Smith and Dean Adams will be on the mic to provide full coverage of the game, live from Fratton Park.