“By 15 games it’s no fluke, it’s not lucky. They are up there for a reason…” – not our words, the words of Top Gear magazine Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson (remember him)? A chilly Somerset is the destination for Boro’s next outing this evening and offers the perfect chance to banish the demons of the last two games. Where better than a ground Boro’ won by six goals at last time around?
Do we think the same will happen this time? Of course we don’t. We’d take a clean sheet, a scrappy 1-0 win and a return to winning ways. Do we think this will happen? Hmmm, that is something we’re unsure about. Sitting in 10th, the Glovers aren’t having a bad campaign and will no doubt fancy their chances against a side that has conceded seven goals in only two games. Man those defences!
There is much to be said for 4-4-2 but we feel it might be just fine to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation that has done fairly well for ourselves away from home this season. We’re on the cusp of a crucial run of fixtures – Preston and Sheffield United are up next, so it is an ideal time to get points back on the board and regain momentum lost against Swindon and then due to the FA Cup break.
Speaking of which, it is disappointing to go out of the FA Cup straight away – the first time that’s happened since Kettering Town dumped us out in 2001/2 (by our reckoning). When you play a Steve Evans team, you can’t grant them a three-goal lead. But the fightback was, at least, commendable – if only it hadn’t come in the 70th minute. Still, something to build on at Huish Park we hope.
Obviously, we must spare a word for the Robin Shroot situation – “intriguing” is that word.
FIFA13 Verdict:
Stevenage opted against any major changes for this game, but did bring in Tansey and Agyemang for Grant and Haber respectively – or so we’d think. And in difficult conditions, Boro’ controlled the opening period and restricted the hosts to one effort off target. A wonderful through ball by Morais set Freeman free in the 34th minute, who finished with a deft chip to give the visitors a half time lead.
The momentum continued into the second half, and on 56 minutes the lead was doubled. Agyemang set Morais free with a great chipped ball, who ought to have finished. Luckily, the rebound fell back to Pat, who finished. As the game wore on, Yeovil saw more of the ball and pulled one back on 72 minutes; at which point Lopez and Grant came on for the booked duo Agyemang and Tansey.
If Boro’ were nervy, it didn’t show. After going straight back on the attack, the hosts were unable to clear a corner and it fell to Lucas Akins, who drove the ball home to re-establish the two-goal lead. Soon after, Rogers replaced Morais. Then, with time running out, Dani Lopez made it four after some good work by Robbie Rogers. Yeovil again pulled a goal back in stoppage time, but meh…
FT: Yeovil Town 2-4 Stevenage
(Madden 72′, Foley 90′; Freeman 34′ Agyemang 56′, Akins ’76, Lopez 87′)
Bookies’ Verdict:
Unsurprisingly, Yeovil Town are favourites to pick up the three points with the bookies on this cold November day. It does of course mean you can pick up some decent odds if you’re tempted to have a punt on a Boro’ win – 9/5 currently one of the best with Pinnacle. If you are after a Boro’ clean sheet, Stevenage only to score is 7/2 with Bet365 and neither teams is 11s with SportingBet.
SkyBet have Bondz N’Gala at 40/1 to score against his former team. We can’t see it happening…
Last Season:
Yeovil Town 0-6 Stevenage (League One, 2011/2)
Team Tarot (4-2-3-1):
Arnold
Gray
Roberts
N’Gala
Charles
Dunne
Tansey
Akins
Morais
Freeman
Agyemang
