Stevenage Season Preview: the bag of revels

The opening month of Stevenage’s 16/17 campaign set the tone for the following eight. They became the first League Two team to concede five goals in a match, but then two weeks later, they became the first to score six. Boro did the double over rivals Luton and title-winners Portsmouth, but were also outplayed by some of the lesser sides. When the evidence is so conflicting, how should we assess what this team is capable of? Supporter Callum Jackson has his say.

I didn’t particularly read too much into these events. League Two is a division where any team can go on a run of six losses and then immediately follow with a run of six wins. When the lads wanted to we could outplay anyone, but unfortunately inconsistencies meant we didn’t quite do as well as we had maybe would have expected, however mid-table was certainly a good first season for Sarll.

You won eight out of nine over February and March. What went right then that perhaps didn’t at other stages of the season?

Our main players stayed fit! We started to have a fairly consistent starting squad and that consistency in the squad played its part on the pitch. The downside was we became a bit ‘comfortable’ and when some injuries came we began to fall away from the pack.

Top scorer Matt Godden had a breakthrough season last year. Just how well did he make that two league jump?

All I have to say is, 20 league goals in his first season! He is the striker we have been missing since Steve Morison! I just hope we can keep hold of him for this next season!!

Tamworth fans are confident Danny Newton can step up to League Two and Alex Samuel was part of a successful Swansea Under-21s side. Can either of them ‘do a Godden’?

For the goalscoring, I think Newton has a better chance of doing a Godden. He seems to have decent enough record for Tamworth and so provided he knows where the net is there is nothing stopping him getting the goals. With regards to Samuel, I don’t know much about him, just that he was also a part of the Newport County side which escaped relegation. From what I understand he maybe isn’t a goalscorer but more a nuisance with a high work rate keeping the opposition on their toes. Possibly like Chris Beardsley who used to play for us.

Darren Sarll claimed the team did not have much pace last year. Does new signing Blair Turgott add something different in that area?

Again, I don’t know much about Blair, but from the Hitchin game in pre-season he looks like the pace we have been missing. That little bit of flair down the wing to get the attack going.

Harry Beautyman struggled with the physical side of his game at Northampton and James Ferry isn’t the most powerful either. Will you rely on Steven Schumacher for midfield muscle?

Currently Schumacher hasn’t signed a contract so we can’t rely on him right now! We haven’t really had a physical central midfielder since the likes of Michael Bostwick. Lee gave it a go, but really it was more tenacity than physicality and I think Beautyman, Dale Gorman and Tom Conlon have the tenacity to hold the midfield strong.

Left winger Jobi McAnuff was playing in the Premier League as recently as 12/13. Are you impressed with his work rate at 35?

1st half of the season he looked like a player on his last pay check, but the 2nd half of the season and he was like a new signing! Often leading the counterattacks and the covering the full back position! He didn’t look 35, more like 21! I hope he signs a contract extension with us.

New left-back Joe Martin wasn’t rated so highly at Millwall, but he’s been part of a team challenging for League One promotion. Does his arrival make it right to release Kgosi Ntlhe?

I think both are first team quality and so you will struggle to keep a player of that quality in your ranks as a back-up. The signing of Martin does give us a bit more of stability in that position as he appears to be more of an old school full back, like Scott Laird. I am hoping he is as successful as Laird.

Fraser Franks can cover for injuries by playing anywhere across the back four. Is he among your most useful defenders?

He is our most versatile, but hopefully we can keep a fit and continuous back line as the changes to the defence disrupt the flow of the team.

Chris Day started 10 league games at the age of 41 last season. Do you still see him as a useful back-up to Jamie Jones?

Sir Chris Day! He is more than a useful back up, I still genuinely feel like he is a capable starter!

What are your thoughts ahead of the League Two season as a whole? Any potential dark horses for you?

I have no idea! Lincoln came up from the conference and looked strong, you have teams still in the division that will be looking to do better. Mansfield have spent alot so far on strengthening their squad. It really is difficult to judge who will finish where!

Where will you finish? You were pretty accurate last summer…

I think we will be knocking on the door of playoffs this year, we fell short last season, but I think we will be there or there abouts for a lot of the season, provided we can keep the squad together and fit!

The Football Lab’s Verdict

Stevenage continue to sign players with the hunger to buy into Sarll’s high-pressing methods. Turgott and Newton add extra  attacking pace while Martin and McAnuff complete an experienced left flank. On their day, Boro are one of the best teams in this league – they just need to have their day more often. 6th