We head for Whaddon Road, Cheltenham on Saturday Desperate for a win and hopefully a performance to repair some of the damage of late.Talking of late, I don't want to see any more 'near time' goals whistle past Clayton Ince for a while.
Their ground is quite small(7,066 capacity) but has had two new stands built since my previous visit-a game v.Southend soon after they joined the league-and now has a better look about the place.
Only in their tenth season in the Football League,the Robins have twice won promotions via the play offs in 2001-2 and 2005-6 and now have the colourful Martin Allen at the helm.A former manager in their non-league days was Willie penman,an ex-Saddler from the early 1970's.
Away fans are housed in the Carlsberg Stand-opened three years ago-that has a capacity of 1,100.The In2Print stand(opened in 2001) is sometimes partially opened to visitors.
There are several interesting pubs a little bit away from the ground.The Beehive is on a route from the train station in Montpellier Villas serving the best traditional ales and and finest local ciders.
For those more into Wetherspoons, the Moon Under is the town's offering in Bath Row which is on a good walking route to the ground.
Next to this is the O'Neill's Irish bar.Then there is the Hogshead on the High Street and the Que Bar which boasts a pool lounge.Closest to the ground is the club's bar Robin's Nest that allows a limited number of away fans for a small fee.
If you are drinking in Cheltenham don't make the same mistake as Shilts who on his last visit had too much of the local stuff and made a right mess of the inside of Zidane's car on the way home!
This season has seen Cheltenham struggle and their home form-like ours-is not great.Four wins, four defeats and two draws.They may be third from the bottom of the table but 'Mad Dog' will no doubt have his players fired up.I hope the Saddlers can win the game and send their fans home to have a happy Christmas with three points and a bit of belief.
