Barrow up next

Stevenage make their longest trip of the season this weekend when they face newly promoted Barrow. The 542 mile round trip comes on the back of 5 poor results which has seen Boro take just 2 points. At the moment Graham Westley’s men are 23rd in the table with opponents Barrow in 3rd place after gaining 10 points from the opening 5 games. A month ago I thought that the two clubs would be in opposite positions, but the Bluebirds have carried on the momentium that saw them promoted through the Blue Square North Play-offs last season. Boro meanwhile are yet to kick into gear, although they began to show signs of improvement in the first half on Monday against Crawley.

The visitors will still be without midfield duo John Martin and David Bridges, so Peter Vincenti should make his second start of the season. Vincenti was the Man of the Match against Crawley and hopefully can continue where he left off on Monday. We have needed someone all season to be able to get forward and back from midfield and PV did just that. I think he will again partner Gary Mills in midfield who had his best game in a Boro shirt, in the same game, after a poor start to the season. Steve Morison will again lead the line, while I expect Callum Willock, if fit, will partner him up front. The only real decision should be whether to recall Eddie Anaclet to the team in place of either Lawrie Wilson or Mark Albrighton?

Barrow drew their last game away at York and have been impressive so far at Holker Street. They have beaten both Oxford and Mansfield at home, while also winning 4-3 away at Altrincham. Their only defeat was away to Cambridge where they went down 2-1. A player to watch will be Jason Walker, who joined the club after being released by Morecambe in 2007. Walker is the clubs topscorer so far with 3 goals, including the late winner on Saturday against Mansfield. Another dangerous player that Boro will have to look out for will be Mark Boyd. The ex Newcastle United trainee has football league experience with Port Vale and Carlisle before a spell in Scotland with Gretna FC. Boyd scored Barrow’s first goal back in the Conference and will be a tricky player that Boro will have to deal with.

If Boro can repeat their first half performance from Monday in Cumbria then that first win might not be that far away. Barrow are on form, but are beatable. I would like to see Westley stick with the same team and see if that continuity will help the performance. I expect they will be very physical, so maybe Michael Bostwick will be recalled to the team to help Boro cope with that threat. So far our away form has been very poor and has seen us conceed 9 goals in just 2 games. I have a feeling it will be the same again on Saturday.

Prediction: Barrow 3-0 Stevenage