Happy New Year: Rushden Preview

December 31, 2008 Leave a Comment

The first game of 2009 sees Stevenage make the short trip to Nene Park to face Rushden & Diamonds, the team Boro beat 3-1 just 6 days ago. Rushden haven’t played since that game and the atmosphere in and around the club is not good, with many fans calling for manager Garry Hill to be sacked. Even during the game at Broadhall Way on Boxing Day some of the travelling support were booing their own players and even went as far as calling for Graham Westley to come back as manager, which if you ask me was a step to far! ;-)

While Rushden have had a rest since Boxing Day, Boro faced local rivals Cambridge just two days later, where they earned a respectable point. It will be interesting to see what role the fitness levels will play on New Year’s Day. Rushden should be the fresher of the two teams and that could make the difference, especially in the latter stages. At Broadhall Way, Rushden struggled defensively, with Leo Roget in particular having an off day. Two of Stevenage’s goals where defensive mistakes which shouldn’t happen at this level. I can’t see Hill sticking with Roget at the back so expect changes there. Hill will also be looking for more from his attacking unit at home as they never really looked clinical enough.

Rushden on Boxing DayGraham Westley may be able to recall both Steve Morison and Lee Boylan for the Rushden game after they missed the trip to the ground formerly known as the Abbey Stadium on Sunday. Morison had a “twinge” and wasn’t risked while Boylan had a virus, but both should be available again. If both are fit then I think they’ll both come straight back after impressive performances on Boxing Day. Willock looked toothless against Cambridge and doesn’t seem to win much in the air, which under Westley is imperative. Mitchell Cole will replace Anaclet on the left if Moro and Boylan return. Darren Murphy could also make his Boro debut, but after recent good performances from both Bridges and Bostwick then he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

“If you can win your home games and draw your away games then you are never in a bad position and we’ve taken that attitude over the Christmas period. We know we’ve got to win a lot of points between now and the end of the season to give ourselves a chance of honours but sometimes you have to be patient in games and just make sure that you take something from it.” Graham Westley

It is definately a winnable game and we saw that on Boxing Day. Rushden, though are a different team at Nene Park and will attack from the kick off in front of their own fans. Boro have drawn on their last two visits in the league and won 3-0 there earlier in the season in the Setanta Shield. It should be another entertaining game and one which Boro will hopefully win to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions.

Prediction: Rushden 1-2 Boro

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The Morison situation

December 30, 2008 Leave a Comment

Graham Westley has come and out and said that only a “crazy offer” could tempt Boro into selling Steve Morison. Boro’s top scorer has been linked with moves to Millwall, Peterborough and Leyton Orient in the last week and missed the weekend’s game at Cambridge increasing speculation he is about to leave Broadhall Way. Morison has been vital for Boro this season and his goals have kept Boro just about in the race for the play-offs. He was close to joining Crewe in the summer, so it’s not a surprise that league clubs will again be looking at Moro in the January transfer window as they look to solve their goalscoring problems.

“I don’t think we should be thinking about Steve Morison leaving the football club. You don’t think about selling key players like Moro do you? At the same time if someone comes along with a crazy offer then any club would be daft to say no, especially in these times.” Graham Westley on Morison

This kind of statement from Westley reminds me of a certain thing Phil Wallace said just days before George Boyd was sold to Peterborough. Of course the club doesn’t want to sell its best players, but with the country being in the middle of a credit crunch and attendances down, then a reasonable offer could tempt Wallace into selling Morison. It may even be a smaller bid to what Crewe were offering in the summer?

In my opinion I think if we do receive a bid of over £100k then we should accept it. We would need to bring someone in to replace him, but we have replaced good strikers before when Hayles, Alford and Elding have left. Boylan will score goals at this level if he can stay fit and I’d be tempted to give Iyseden Christie another chance, although that will not happen under Westley. Other targets could be bringing back Elding from Crewe or signing Lee Phillips from Rushden? Leon Knight would be a good signing too if Westley could sort out his attitude. I just think at the moment, money is tight and I would rather have Boro financially secure rather than gambling and being in trouble a few months down the line.

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Boro earn late point at the Abbey

December 28, 2008 Leave a Comment

Cole about to take the penalty at CambridgeStevenage’s recent upturn in form continued at Cambridge today as Mitchell Cole’s 90th minute penalty earned Boro another point in their pursuit to break into the play-offs. After the hard earned draw at Oxford last weekend and convincing victory at home to Rushden on Boxing Day, confidence is high again in the Boro camp as they prepare for the return trip to Nene Park to face Rushden on New Year’s Day.

Things didn’t start well though as Scott Rendell scored, again, against Boro to give the U’s the lead. It was a comfortable finish for the striker on loan from Peterborough, but it was poor defending from Stevenage. Dan Gleeson was allowed far too much time to get a cross in after a corner and Rendell showed his predatory instincts to put Cambridge in front. Although United looked dangerous going forward, I always felt Boro could counter and score themselves. The defence of Hatswell and Bolland didn’t look secure all afternoon and maybe if Boro had Morison and Boylan fit, then it could of been a different game. Willock had a poor game and failed to win anything in the air all day, which was where most of the play was. The overall team performance and work ethic was good, but the style of play is still long ball crap.

Cambridge nearly doubled their lead midway through the first half when a run down the right by Wilmott found Rendell who’s shot was saved only to the feet of Holroyd who scored with the rebound. However, as the U’s were celebrating their second, it was disallowed for offside, although the game should of been stopped earlier when the ball was knocked out of play by Wilmott. Boro also had chances up the other end with both Willock and Bridges going close.

After half time, it was Boro that came closest to scoring again when an Andy Drury free-kick looked like nestling in the corner, but Danny Potter tipped it around the post. Bizarrely, the referee then failed to give a corner. It was one of the many poor decisions the man in black made all afternoon. Cambridge had another chance to seal the 3 points later on in the half when Holroyd went clear after an Albrighton mistake, but Day made himself big and saved low down. That was about all Cambridge threatened after that and once Anaclet was replaced for Anderson, Boro seemed to improve and look more balanced going forward. Cole was also getting into the game more now, cutting in from the left and looking to supply Willock.

Despite Boro’s efforts, 90 minutes ticked by with Cambridge still in front, until David Bridges surged into the area before being fouled by Gleeson, who was then sent off after protesting about the decision, to give Boro an injury time penalty. Mitchell Cole, who was captain for the day, wrong-footed Potter and sent the 406 travelling Boro fans into raptures. It was what Boro deserved after a hard working performance. If Westley was an attack minded coach then we could of possibly gone on to win the game when we had a corner late on, but instead Vincenti and Cole kept the ball in the corner to try and save the point. Job done at the end of the day and Rushden next on Thursday. It is coming together slowly and hopefully with some new arrivals in January we can push on in the New Year and try and get into the play-offs come May?

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Merry Christmas

December 25, 2008 Leave a Comment

FC Boro would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As for the football, lets hope for a better 2009 than what we have seen over the last year. It may feel like it’s all doom and gloom at Broadhall Way at the moment, with the poor football and inconsistent results, but I think we have to support the club through thick and thin and although I’m not happy with the way the club is being managed or what football  is being played at the moment I am still going to Rushden on Boxing Day and Cambridge after that in the hope that Boro can get them 3 points that will get us nearer the playoffs, which is still a realistic dream.

Have a good one!

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Rushden Preview

December 24, 2008 Leave a Comment

Boro’s Christmas and New Year programme begins at Broadhall Way on Boxing Day when they host Rushden & Diamonds. With Stevenage now unbeaten in the last 4 games in all competitions, there is a genuine reason for Boro to be optimistic going into the game against another one of the pre-season favourites. Rushden have had a similar season to ourselves. The Diamonds’ problem has been inconsistency because on their day they have the squad to beat anyone in this division and the fact that they had Leon Knight, Daryl Clare and Lee Phillips all on their books at some point this season shows what sort of calibre of player the Northamptonshire club can attract.

Graham Westley has a few selection decisions to make ahead of this clash. Gary Mills is available again after missing the Oxford game through suspension, but may miss out after good performances from both Michael Bostwick and David Bridges at the Kassam Stadium. I’d expect Lee Boylan to partner Steve Morison again up front with Mitchell Cole and Lawrie Wilson assisting on the flanks. Mark Roberts should be partnered in defence again by Mark Albrighton which means Luke Oliver will again be on the bench.

“I had three or four brief, but very enjoyable months at Rushden. We won a lot of points and won a lot of games, everything seemed to go for us, it was a really enjoyable time. It’s a good club and I have a lot of friends there from the short time I had.” Graham Westley on his time at Nene Park

Rushden are sweating on the fitness of striker Lee Phillips, formerly of Exeter and Torquay. Striking options are limited at the moment as Daryl Clare has also been ruled out due to personal problems and Leon Knight was sacked by the club earlier in the month. Andy Burgess is also out after a recent eye injury.

I expect both sides to be up for the game and if Boro can get a win here then it would be the perfect start to the busy holiday period. Cambridge is just 2 days after the Rushden game, so confidence will be needed before the visit to the Trade Recruitment Stadium. It will be a tight game and if players like Mitchell Cole and Steve Morison are in form, it could be them who win the match for Boro.

Prediction: Boro 2-1 Rushden

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Boro gain point at the Kassam

December 21, 2008 1 Comment

Boro’s last game before a busy Christmas schedule ended in a 1-1 draw at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium, a result which Graham Westley’s side won’t be complaining about. I didn’t make the trip to Oxford for various reasons, mainly financial, but from what I have read and heard it sounds like in general it was a better performance than in recent weeks. To be fair, Boro are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions and although the football has been pretty awful and there is a poor atmosphere around BHW at the moment, there are signs of improvement.

The starting eleven looked far more balanced than in recent weeks with Michael Bostwick returning into the midfield partnering the attack minded David Bridges, who made his first league start for the club. Bostwick replaced Gary Mills who was suspended after picking up 5 bookings. Lawrie Wilson and Mitchell Cole started on the wings for Boro while Ronnie Henry returned to the side at right back after missing the FA Trophy win over St Albans.

It was Bridges who opened the scoring for Boro with a clever curling shot from just outside the box. It will be interesting to see what role Bridges plays now he is back fit. When he signed in the summer I thought he may play wide right with Bostwick and Martin in the middle, but when he played in pre-season he was mostly used in the middle. That was also where he played yesterday, but with the imminent arrival of Darren Murphy then competition in the centre of midfield will be hot. I can see another centre midfielder joining Daryl McMahon and John Martin on their way out of Broadhall Way and I can see it being Peter Vincenti, who must of impressed fellow BSP clubs into maybe taking him off Boro’s wage bill?

Next up for Boro is Rushden at home on Boxing Day, which will be an interesting encounter between the two underachievers so far this season. Both the Diamonds and Stevenage were made pre-season favourites by some bookmakers in the summer, but find themselves in mid-table as teams with lower budgets like Histon and Burton top the table. Rushden have strengthened their squad going into the game at BHW with Justin Cochrane, formerly of Crewe and Rotherham signing on at Nene Park. Garry Hill’s side are currently 8th with 37 points from 24 games.

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