Boro ready for Vale test

If the Boro players weren’t already up for the FA Cup first round replay against Port Vale tomorrow night, they will be now after Vale captain Tommy Fraser’s stinging attack on the Conference side. League 2 Port Vale were outplayed by the Hertfordshire club when they visited 9 days ago. Boro were unlucky not to win the game in the original tie, but missed several chances and had to settle for another chance to beat their League opponents. Tomorrow night is that chance and Stevenage will be chomping at the bit to beat Micky Adams’ side and earn a home tie against Huddersfield Town in the second round.

Stevenage are the form team going into the replay. After extending their unbeaten home record to 27 games after beating Gateshead 5-3 in a thrilling encounter at Broadhall Way, Boro are now just 5 points behind leaders Oxford United and have not lost in all competitions since late August. Port Vale on the other hand were beaten at home on Saturday by Rotherham. It was Vale’s first defeat in 6 league games. Boro seem to have got Vale at the right time. Since outplaying them in the Cup, they have been beaten in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy by Bradford and by Rotherham in the league. Key players like Prosser and Fraser are also going to be missing for the replay due to suspension.

Ronnie Henry is a doubt for Boro after he came off on Saturday with a knock, so it’s likely that Eddie Odhiambo will come in to replace him at right back. If Henry is passed fit, then I expect the same team as what started at Vale Park to play again here. The visitors have a bit of a defensive crisis. They are of course without their captain Fraser and fellow defender Gareth Owen. Luke Prosser, who came in for Owen on Saturday, will also be missing as he is now suspended after being sent off in that game. Vale will also be without striker Jamie Guy after the club terminated his loan deal with Colchester United.

I think if Boro perform anywhere near like they did in the first game they will progress into the next round of the FA Cup. Westley has said in the Comet this week that they need to improve on that performance, but to be honest there wasn’t much wrong with it apart from the finishing. We had a lot of opportunities in the first game to score goals and we can’t expect to create the same amount tomorrow night. Vale are going to know more about us and will not be taking us lightly, which I felt they did in the first game. We need to be clinical when we get a chance and defend like we did up there.

The game is definately there for the taking and in a way I think we can be classed as the favourites. We are at home, where we have an outstanding record and are in good form at the moment. Port Vale are going through a bit of a sticky patch and are without quite a few first teamers for the trip to BHW. Also they’ll now be even more of an edge to the game after Tommy Fraser’s comments to the media and I think we’ll want it more than them. Boro have something to prove tomorrow night. Let’s get behind them when they do it!

Stevenage Squad

Ashley Bayes, Chris Day, Scott Laird, Ronnie Henry (+), Jon Ashton, Mark Roberts, Mark Albrighton, Eddie Odhiambo, Michael Bostwick, Stacy Long, David Bridges, Darren Murphy, Andy Drury, Joel Byrom, Mitchell Cole, Yemi Odubade, Lee Boylan, Charlie Griffin, Chris Beardsley, Peter Vincenti 

Prediction: Boro 2-1 Port Vale