The UK summer transfer window slammed shut on Monday night with clubs across the English footballing pyramid have been working tirelessly to get deals over the line to help improve their chances of promotion or league safety.
Today, we will review and rank out of ten each individual signing that Cheltenham Town have made over the summer and look at how influential the new signings could be for the upcoming 25/26 season.
Liam Kinsella – 9/10
Since joining the Robins in the 2024 January transfer window, Kinsella has played a significant role for Cheltenham Town as he became a regular starter. A player that possesses a real engine and an absolute workhorse in the middle of the park, often tracking just about anyone who comes into his vicinity. Kinsella’s playstyle is not the flashiest with performances that often goes under the radar, but his efforts are pivotal to most of Cheltenham’s success. His 18-month contract expired in the summer, but Kinsella has committed one more year to life at Cheltenham with an option of a further year which will no doubt help Cheltenham with what has been a poor start to the season.
Taine Anderson – 4/10
The 19-year-old loanee from Bristol City would have joined with the hopes of tasting his first real experience of professional men’s football but after being sidelined with a hamstring injury in the season opener against Cambridge United, those hopes have been dashed. Before his injury, Anderson did well in pre-season for Cheltenham Town and has been praised by Bristol City fans as a promising defensive youth product, however, his early injury this season leaves a lot to the imagination for now.
Jokūbas Mažionis – 7/10
Cheltenham continued to shop in the loan transfer market and bolstered their squad with the addition of Ipswitch Town’s Mažionis. A centre-back who stands at a staggering 6’6 and just so happens to be a Lithuanian international at the age of 19.
On the flip side to that, the Robins are facing somewhat of a big injury crisis so now probably is not the best time to have an international player at the club. With that being said, Mažionis has five starts in six and is quickly becoming a regular starter for Cheltenham outside of the international breaks. The Lithuanian also registered an assist against Exeter City in the EFL Cup showcasing that he has more to offer than just clearing the ball away.
George Harmon – 4/10
Harmon moved back to England from Scotland after rejecting a contract extension from Ross County. The 24-year-old defender plays as a left-wing back or left-back and was brought in as a reinforcement following Taine Anderson’s unfortunate early injury. Harmon has played well for the Robins but has bounced between being named on the team sheet and featuring off the bench.
A good performance in the EFL Cup looked to have earned him another game in the starting XI but was dropped in the following league game against MK Dons. His performances that have followed have not been awe-inspiring but that could be due to a lack of confidence or needing a consistent stream of games, something he got at Ross County. There is a real possibility that fans have not seen the best from Harmon yet, but he must feature more if we are to see his full potential realised.
Lee Angol – 3/10
Something Cheltenham Town lacked last season was having multiple strikers who knew how to score an abundance of goals. George Miller scored nine goals last season and finished as the Robin’s top goal-scorer; however, they lacked any real goal threat if Miller was to be injured – enter Angol. Signed from last season’s relegation side Morecambe, the experienced forward rejected a new contract at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium in the summer to continue playing EFL football.
Angol managed seven goals in a side which by all accounts, were struggling not just on but also off the pitch. So far this season, Angol has failed to score or assist despite featuring in five games and has been informed that he needs to step up from Robins boss Michael Flynn. On paper, this is not a bad signing, but without any goal contributions and recent performances being average it has been underwhelming to say the least.
Ryan Broom – 5/10
Back for his third spell at Cheltenham Town, Ryan Broom joined on a free this summer following his departure at League Two club Fleetwood Town. Considered a versatile attacking player who can play on either side and in behind the striker, this was another good signing on paper. His second spell did not reach the highs of the first and made fans consider whether the club had moved forward or had resorted to moving backwards, settling for old faces. Whilst Broom scored against Exeter in the EFL Cup, his league output has been middling with average contributions. No big mistakes have been made from Broom but equally he has not set the world alight yet either – more to come.
Jake Bickerstaff – 5/10
The 23-year-old striker on loan from Wrexham has been deemed a ‘free-hit’ from some Cheltenham Town fans. With his last year at Wrexham being used as a loan to Cheltenham, this is a chance for the Robins to have what is essentially a season long trial for Bickerstaff before he becomes a free agent.
At 23-years-old he has played for a few clubs, most notably Accrington Stanley; managing three goals in 17 appearances. Bickerstaff has not been bad but the predicament that Cheltenham find themselves in regarding form, could be a contributing factor. Worth picking up due to the ‘trial’ aspect of the loan but will need to impress if he is to land a contract at Cheltenham and prove his worth.
Robbie Cundy – 3/10
This could be seen as a harsh rating but as has been a common theme with Cheltenham’s transfer business over the summer, it adds to a long list of players who are now injured. Cundy came off during a EFL Cup fixture with a hamstring injury; the extent of the injury means Cundy will not make an appearance for at least six weeks and is another blow to Cheltenham Town’s defence.
At 6’2 and experience playing for the likes of Notts County, it is a decent signing, but a shaky injury record makes this signing a big gamble. Stay fit and you have a solid League Two defender on the books, gamble with his injury record and you could be a man down during the season. Cundy has not been bad but with injury stopping his game time thus far, it is hard to give anything above a five.
Josh Martin – 7/10
The former Portsmouth, Norwich City and Notts County man to name but a few, has been an exciting and energetic injection into the team. Martin went on to score a fantastic long-ranged effort against Bromley, which also marked the first league goal of the campaign after Cheltenham failed to score for three matches in the league. Martin was picked up as a free agent after his most recent stint with Newport County, which some fans stating that he could have done more. He looks to be a good addition to the squad here; made even sweeter by the fact he was free. He will no doubt add some more goal contributions to his season tally – impressive.
James Wilson – 6/10
Wilson’s announcement was one that took some supporters by surprise, an experienced EFL defender was just what the Robins had been calling out for. The 36-year-old was in an elite but niche category for his most recent side Bristol Rovers, who were relegated from League One last season.
Wilson played every single minute of every league game last season, a feat only achieved by four other players in the entire EFL. Team performances have not been up to par this season but with a consistent and steady defence around him, Wilson will have the ability to flourish. Unfortunately, he broke his hand during the match against Bromley and is out of action for several weeks so we will have to wait until his return before seeing how he progresses this season.
Sam Sheering – 5/10
Sheering has yet to play a minute for Cheltenham Town as he was signed on deadline day but is expected to play against Plymouth in the Football League Trophy tonight. Loaned to the Robins from MK Dons, Sheering looks to be further reinforcements to the ever-shifting Town defence this season. With plenty of League One experience, there is no reason why he cannot excel in a team that is crying out for stability and solidity.
Isaac Hutchinson – 5/10
The second of three signings made on deadline day is another loan but this time from Bristol Rovers. Hutchinson did not sign in time to be eligible for the game against Plymouth Argyle but will no doubt be ready to go for Cheltenham Town’s Saturday fixture against Accrington Stanley. An experienced attacker with over 200 EFL appearances, he favours playing in a central attacking position behind the striker or can slip into a more casual centre midfield role, with quality to match.
Tom Taylor – 5/10
The third and final player signed during yesterday’s transfer deadline day and like Hutchinson, signed on late meaning he too will not be available for the Plymouth game. Tom Taylor is highly regarded amongst the Ipswitch fan base with suggestions that he could play for them in the near future. Having already scored three goals in three games in the Premier League 2, Taylor can evidently find the back of the net. The question now is, will he be able to shine through at his first professional spell in men’s football or will the task prove to be too much?
Ethon Archer – 8/10
Some may argue that Archer is not a new signing but for arguments sake, there is enough to suggest he is. Archer was sold to Luton Town for an undisclosed fee on deadline day, the fee is believed to be around six-figures with Archer loaned back to Cheltenham until January.
This is a smart business move as it allows for the Robins to still utilise him and keep continuity within the team, whilst also buying enough time to scout a suitable replacement in January. Cheltenham have made money and still get to use the services of Archer, which seems like a no-brainer. Has he been great so far this season? Some would argue no, but do Cheltenham fans know what they are getting and what Archer is capable of? Absolutely.
