The season has finished for Stevenage and, overall, it must be considered a success for Boro’. Despite just missing out on the playoffs, Dino Maamria has finally stamped an identity and system on to this side that, for long periods of 2018-9, really struggled to string a run of results together.
We all have our opinions about which players performed the best over the course of the campaign but, as an experiment, let’s check out what the numbers say.
With that in mind, using InStat Football’s InStat Index, we have ranked the top six Stevenage players by their index score, which rates them based on actions completed. Note, only players to have made at least 16 appearances have been considered.
Read on to see if you agree with the data:
Stevenage: Top Six Players 2018-9
6. Luther Wildin
Position: Right-back
League appearances: 37
InStat Index Score: 218
The popular right-back makes the top six thanks to some pretty impressive displays. His ability to get forward from full-back has been an endearing factor with the fans; after all, everyone loves a marauding defender.
His defensive capabilities need some work but considering how quickly he has progressed since joining from non-league Nuneaton Town, it won’t come as a huge surprise to many fans that he has made this list.
5. Steve Seddon
Position: Left-back
League appearances: 22
InStat Index Score: 219
Another full-back on the list, but this time on the other side of the pitch, Steve Seddon was brilliant during his loan spell before heading back to Birmingham and subsequently going back out on loan to League One AFC Wimbledon.
Three goals and three assists plus a 62% success rate on all defensive challenges, makes for good reading for the 21-year-old who also did well in the division above.
4. Kurtis Guthrie
Position: Striker
League appearances: 33
InStat Index Score: 222
After his ⚽️⚽️ yesterday, Kurtis Guthrie @chiefkurtis has shown how dominant he is up front this season 💪 His stats in all comps are superb this term:
2198 mins ⏱
24 starts
34 apps
11 goals⚽️
4 assists🎯
Kurtis has a goal or assist every 146 mins this season🏌️♂️@StevenageFC 🔥 pic.twitter.com/beZ2RRGpvn— Momentum Sports Management (@MomentumSM) April 14, 2019
The chief makes an appearance in fourth after finishing the campaign on a run of seven goals in the last six games and 11 over the course of the campaign in League Two. He was a big player in the playoff push and if that continues next season, it will be interesting to see how Stevenage are thought of in the latest football tips and betting markets.
Let’s hope he remains a Stevenage player over the summer and builds on an impressive end to the 2018-19 campaign.
3. Ben Nugent
Position: Centre-back
League appearances: 33
InStat Index Score: 224
Nugent was considered one of the most dominant defenders in League Two in 2018-19 and he simply had to be somewhere on the list. Third is probably about right and if he can build on that next season then Boro will be in for a decent campaign.
2. Scott Cuthbert
Position: Centre-back
League appearances: 44
InStat Index Score: 224
Cuthbert was one of the best signings of the summer and edges Nugent by virtue of having played more games despite the score being level. He was dominant, a leader and won 73% of all the challenges he went in for. Stevenage are fortunate to have him as he could lead the side to success next season.
1. Ilias Chair
Position: Left/attacking midfield
League appearances: 16
InStat Index Score: 274
Outrageous from @StevenageFC’s Ilias Chair!#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueTwo pic.twitter.com/HxlvB8H1Y4
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) March 17, 2019
The winner by a huge margin (partly helped by the smaller sample of games) is Ilias ‘he can score from anywhere’ Chair. Signed on loan from QPR, the Moroccan has a brilliant future ahead. He will be remembered for his late strikes against Lincoln but frankly, he was just too good for League Two and will be one to watch wherever he ends up next season.