Cheltenham Town secured the signatures of Matty Taylor, Joe Nuttall, Jack Shepherd, and Jordan Thomas last night before the deadline closed.
Joe Nuttall was one of two forwards added to the side on deadline day, joining on a loan deal from Oldham Athletic. Matty Taylor was the second attacker to sign for manager Darrell Clarke, moving 15 miles upwards to join from local rivals Forest Green Rovers on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Barnsley defender Jack Shepherd completed a loan move until the end of the season after only appearing nine times this season for the Tykes, one of them coming in a 2-0 win against Cheltenham in August. The 22-year-old was the Robins’ third signing of the day, adding much-needed cover given defender Lewis Freestone’s two-game suspension.
The side from Gloucestershire made their fourth and final recruitment of the day when they secured the services of Bath City midfielder Jordan Thomas on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old has scored ten times this season for the non-league side and was rumoured to be watched closely by several EFL sides.
The League One strugglers also had several outgoings before the 11 pm cut-off, with midfielder Curtis Thompson leaving to join League Two’s Grimsby Town. Defender Liam Smith became the second player to depart on the day, following Thompson to Blundell Park. Nathan Butler-Oyedeji also saw his time cut short for the Robins and was sent back to his parent club Arsenal after only making 13 appearances, all coming from the bench.
Cheltenham added Josh Harrop and Liam Kinsella earlier this window to boost their midfield options, as well as Tom Pett who extended his contract until the end of the season after becoming Clarke’s first signing under his new reign at the Completely- Suzuki Stadium. They also signed young defender Andy Smith from Hull City on loan until the end of the 23/24 campaign.
Dundalk midfielder Greg Sloggett, who was on trial with the Robins, has signed a short term contract with the club making it eight new signings for the side currently sitting 22nd in the table.
Writer’s View
It’s been a weird season so far for Cheltenham Town to say the least. Countless loan signings made at the start of the season under former boss, Wade Elliott did not work out for whatever reason and left current manager Darrell Clarke with a lot to do, especially with the Robins bottom of the league. It’s been a successful reign so far under the new boss, with his side only seven points adrift from safety.
These new signings have been made to keep Cheltenham up and fans have no reason not to believe the 46-year-old can’t keep them in the division for the fourth season in a row. Rob Street was confirmed to be out until the end of the season today, so this is the perfect opportunity for new signings Nuttall and Taylor to make their mark for their new team and guide them to safety.
