Grant McCann and Tony Naylor -The Key Men

By Peegs
June 1 2003

Even though the League position hasn't changed in recent weeks results have picked up with 3 draws against Chesterfield, Wigan and Huddersfield, a win against Tranmere and the loss against Stockport.

The better than usual run saw the return to Cheltenham of Grant McCann and the return to fitness of Tony Naylor.

We invested £50,000 to bring McCann (pictured left) to the club and today he delivered two crucial goals in the 3-3 draw against fellow strugglers Huddersfield. He offers balance down the left handside undoubtedly his best position and curls in dangerous set pieces. If McCann can stay fit through to the end of the season are chances of staying up will ge higher than without him. He is simply are only Division 2 standard left sided player.

Tony Naylor (pictured left ) has struggled for fitness this season and returned recently as a substitute in the 2-1 away defeat to Cardiff his first appearnece since early September. Having been out for so long he has still managed 5 goals and is the best finisher out of all the strikers at the club. His good close control and understanding with Julian Alsop see him as an ideal first team starter.

Paul Brayson was brought in from Cardiff as a younger version of Naylor but has failed to make the impact, Naylor's experience at this level could also be important in the relegation run in which see's Town face the likes of Mansfield, Barnsley, Colchester, Northampton and Peterborough visit Whaddon Road.

It is going to need the whole team to play well to see us stay in Division 2 but in my mind star perfomances from Naylor and McCann would go along way in seeing us stay up and have another year of Division 2.