QPR next up for Boro

July 18, 2008 Leave a Comment

Stevenage beat BGB Southern side Hitchin Town last night to record their second win of pre-season. After winning at Gillingham on Tuesday, confidence was high going into the game at Topfield. Graham Westley decided to adopt a similar approach to the game with 2 sides in either half. The first half team was a “reserve” line up, although it did feature Lee Boylan and Mark Albrighton who didn’t play at Gillingham on Tuesday night. The second half team was the more stronger of the two and after being 2-0 down at half-time, recovered to win the game 4-2.

Goals from Ian Draycott and Russell Ball had threatened to upset Boro’s pre-season record, but once GW brought on the likes of Steve Morison, Mitchell Cole and Daryl McMahon, the game swung heavily in Boro’s favour and in the end ran out comfortable winners. It’s good to see Mitchell Cole looking like he is getting back to somewhere near his best. Last season Cole had a difficult time with injuries and lack of form, but both the summer break and the England “C” games seem to have done him the world of good.

Anthony Thomas also opened his account for Boro last night with a 30 yard “thunderbolt”. Thomas has been arguably the most promising of the new signings so far this pre-season and seems to have developed a good understanding with Steve Morison. When Thomas left Barnet, some of their fans said that he should of stayed at Underhill and that he was capable of doing the unexpected. Should be interesting to see how he performs at a level below this season.

Tomorrow afternoon sees our first home game of pre-season against the “richest” club in the world, QPR. The Championship club are likely to bring a strong squad up to Broadhall Way including new signings Matteo Alberti and Samuel Di Carmine. Meanwhile Boro may opt to play a stronger team for the majority of the game and maybe bring the other squad members on at some point. It’s the first home game of Graham Westley’s second stint at Broadhall Way and he feels like he has never been away.

“It doesn’t feel as though I’ve been away. The fans were really good at Gillingham, even though it was an away game, and very welcoming.”

It’s another busy week ahead for Boro. After QPR tomorrow, George Boyd’s Peterborough United visit Broadhall Way. A trip to Hendon 2 days later follows before Peter Taylor returns to Stevenage with his new Wycombe Wanderers side.

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Lopo’s View

July 18, 2008 Leave a Comment

With pre season upon us there is plenty to talk about and with two games under the belt the team is looking pretty good. After a good solid performance on Tuesday against a strong Gillingham side and a game of two halves against local rivals Hitchin we have picked up two victories and two good performances with pretty much a whole new squad.

One thing that has hit me over the last few weeks is the amount of youngsters we have at the club, both from the EFCO and the youngsters who have signed over the last couple of seasons. With the likes of Balderson, Bradshaw, McDevitt, Burke, Luke Cole and Buchanan just to name a few it seems that Westley is going to use the academy more than previous managers have done in the past. Even the likes of James Russell and Michael Bostwick who are considered more first team players are still only 19/20 years old. In the recent friendly with “Gillingscum” Russell looked superb, keeping out their first choice team on numerous occasions and Bostwick looked strong at centre half and his versatility will definately be useful.

Watching Thomas and Morison on Tuesday night was fantastic as they linked up well and definately looked a positive threat. Westley has said that Thomas is a scorer of great goals and can pull something out the bag when no one expects it. Hopefully he will assist Morison to take a bit of weight of his shoulders from time to time. Since my last post, Westley has appointed a new captain in Mark Albrighton which may of come to a surprise to some people who thought that Ronnie Henry was the most likely candidate. Albrighton is extremely experienced in non league football with Boston and Cambridge notably and was always going to be a possibility from day one. I’m not too fussed with appointment myself as both would of done a good job. Ronnie has been a good servant over the last 3 and half years and I’m sure he will continue to put everything in for us.

With Oliver, Henry, Albrighton and Bostwick, GW finally came to an agreement with Ashley Westwood to terminate his contract. It was no shock as he was on the transfer list, didn’t have a squad number and wasn’t in the squad picture taken last week. At least GW didn’t make him feel left out! Another transfer listed player seems to be staying for now and being given a chance to prove himself and deservedly so. Peter Vincenti has continuously put 100% in for Boro and on Tuesday night he showed that as he kept Adam “sniff” Miller in his pocket until he was forced off injured. Despite being told he had no future Vincenti has forced his way back into GW’s plans and might just be at BHW this season after all.

Well with more testing friendlies to come and another long hard season in prospect it seems Westley has won over the majority of fans already and the rest may just follow along with hopefully League 2 football. Sorry Luton we won’t be seeing you next year!

Lopo

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