Assessing how much Cheltenham Town's fortunes have changed in a year, and whether they can go al

One year ago I sat down and wrote an article pondering whether Michael Duff, a Cheltenham Town icon-turned manager, had what it takes to pull the Robins away from the doldrums of the League Two relegation zone.

He passed that test, with a stunning 3-2 comeback win over fellow strugglers Macclesfield, and since then has done something no one could have imagined at the start of the 2019/20 season and put Cheltenham in with a chance of promotion.

The whole atmosphere around the club has changed and it is there for everyone connected with the club to see, the number of people attending home games has increased and with the addition of the 1887 Red Army, the Jonny-Rocks Stadium has become a fortress.

But how exactly has the Northern Irishman, who made over 300 appearances for the side he now manages, turned Cheltenham from strugglers to challengers.

TRANSFERS MADE

Summer arrivals:

Reuben Reid (Forest Green)

Tahvon Campbell (Forest Green)

Rohan Ince (free)

Jacob Greaves (Hull, loan)

Max Sheaf (Hull, loan)

Jake Doyle-Hayes (Aston Villa, loan)

Jonte Smith (Oxford)

January arrivals:

Alfie May (Doncaster)

Owen Evans (Wigan)

CONSISTENCY

Despite a blip in their form during the run up to Christmas, the Robins have been one of the most consistent teams in the division.

Having shown encouraging signs during the back end of last season, when they did enough to finish comfortably above the drop zone, they have managed to carry that over into this season.

They boast the best defensive record having conceded only 27 times in 35 outings, that's 10 fewer than the second best in the league.

That upturn in form last term came when Duff switched to 3-5-2, and those tactics have been perfected this season with Alfie May admitting: "I know that if you miss a chance, you know you're going to get a few more."

RELAXED ATMOSPHERE

Having spent some time at the training ground over the last two and a bit years, it is clear to see there is a chilled vibe around the place. While training sessions are competitive and constructive, all the playing and non-playing staff enjoy activities such as cricket, foot-golf and head-tennis in order to boost morale.

In the canteen the trio of Duff, assistant manager Russell Milton and goalkeeping coach Steve Book, who have known each other for over 20 years at Cheltenham Town, enjoy a lot of banter that transpires through to the players.

Wing-back Sean Long was full of praise for Duff and the changes he has made around the club in a recent interview I did with him, saying: "It's there for all to see, the culture he has set around the football club and the way everyone conducts themselves is really good."

UNITY

Despite Duff failing to win any of his first nine games in charge of the Robins, the board stuck behind him and he managed to rally his troops to finish comfortably above the relegation zone - the sort of spirit that has led to several big results this season.

Despite conceding in the third minute in a massive game against Northampton, the Robins managed to come back to win with an 86th minute goal from Luke Varney.

And that sort of character showed even more so in the next home game against Leyton Orient. The hosts went into it as clear favourites against their newly promoted opponents, but in the 17th minute loanee 'keeper Owen Evans fired straight into the back of Conor Wilkinson to gift the visitors the lead.

Nonetheless, Alfie May equalised just a minute later before yet another late goal, this time by Reuben Reid, to secure another comeback win.

With the Robins in touching distance with the top of the table, Michael Duff knows if his players keep doing what they have been doing, a return to League One is possible.