This time last year, Stevenage fans were looking forward to the new season – excited that Teddy Sheringham was going to be the new manager. The 49-year-old even registered as a player a couple of months in, but could do nothing about the club’s poor displays and was sacked in February.
Darren Sarll came in and steadied the ship – after a rocky first few games – to finish the season 18th in League Two and escape the threat of relegation to The National League, something that had looked like a distinct possibility at one point.
After reaching the play offs the season before, this was a massive disappointment for everyone involved with the club and fans will be hoping that Sarll can keep the side nearer the top of the division this year. Keeper Jamie Jones has already been signed on a permanent basis after starring on a short term deal, but there are limited funds. So, who else could Sarll bring in?
Five Summer Transfer Targets?
Scottish Steel
Stevenage have already shown interest in Dundee United’s Coll Donaldson. The 21 year old defender is being released by the Tannadice club after their relegation at the end of last season and a return south could be on the cards. He only left QPR at the start of last year and made an impressive 21 appearances in the Scottish Premier League last season.
The Beast
With little money to spare Sarll has already stated that he will be scouring the list of players released by their clubs for new recruits. And they don’t come much bigger than Adebayo Akinfenwa. The 34 year old scored the goal that took AFC Wimbledon up last year, but was told that his services were no longer required. Obviously his age plays against him but for sheer fan interest it would be great to see The Beast on display for Stevenage.
Jamaica In?
Another striker let go this summer is Jamar Loza. The Jamaica international does have a very minimal link with Stevenage having played on loan last season. Although he was signed to Norwich City, most of his appearances have been for the number of clubs he has played for on loan, chiefly Southend and Yeovil. Given some playing time the youngster could do well in League Two and might be a perfect foil for Matt Godden who has already joined from Ebbsfleet.
International Pedigree
Darren Sarll will be trawling through what he has called the “cattle market” of professional footballers released by their clubs for a player that he believes could do a job in the upcoming season. One international defender that he could take a look at is Gabriel Zakuani. The Congo DR international has been let go by Peterborough but at only 30 will believe he still has a lot to offer at this level.
Loan Star
It could well be that Sarll relies on loan signings to complete his squad this season and one player that would really stand out from the crowd would be Northern Ireland international Conor Washington. The striker only made 15 appearances for QPR last season and may feel that a loan period lower down the leagues would be an ideal way to get some vital goals under his belt. It may seem an unlikely move but Stevenage could benefit from their location and the number of London clubs wanting to offload some of their players.
Whoever Darren Sarll brings in he will be hoping that the upcoming season is a vast improvement on last year. After tasting the heady heights of the League One play offs not that long ago, Stevenage fans will feel that just scraping together enough points to stay in the league is not good enough. Due to financial reasons it will be tough for Sarll but a few new faces could be just what the club needs.
