Tamworth Preview

Stevenage return to league action tomorrow afternoon when they make the trip to the West Midlands to face Tamworth. Boro go into the game with a 100% record to defend so far this year and are still top of the Blue Square Premier. However, Tamworth are also on a good run of form and are unbeaten in their last 8 games in all competitions. Big wins against Mansfield and Oxford are included in that run of games. There’s no doubt about it, tomorrow afternoon is a very tough test for this team. Title winning teams go to these types of places and get results and we will need to do the same to maintain our push to be champions.

Fortunately for Boro, there aren’t many injury problems to report. If anything Graham Westley has a little bit of a selection dilemma with Tim Sills, Chris Beardsley, Yemi Odubade, Lee Boylan and Charlie Griffin all in form and competing to start up front. GW also has Scott Laird back from suspension and he will come back at left back after missing the last league game at home to Kettering. Tamworth will be without Richard Tait who misses the game due to illness. New signings Jerome Murdock and Jay Smith are in line to play though after impressing against Guiseley.

The last time we played Tamworth was way back in August on the opening day of the season. Stevenage began their season slowly, but went ahead when Lee Boylan coolly slotted home a penalty. Tamworth though never gave up and caught Boro cold thanks to a Bradley Pritchard strike. Pritchard along with Alex Rodman impressed throughout. It was a very frustrating game from what I can remember. We dominated possession, but couldn’t break down a very well organised side. 

“Tamworth came to our place first game of the season and showed us what they are about. A good work ethic, they work the ball very well, are very difficult to break down and are no mean opponents. They have drawn a lot of games but haven’t lost a lot. It is going to take a strong effort from us to come back with the points.” Westley on Tamworth

I think it will be a very difficult afternoon for us, but if we can work as hard as we have done in the last few months then it is definately a game we can win. I think the first goal will be key and if we can get it fairly early on then I’m confident we can win the game comfortably.

It’s the start of a tough week for us and in my opinion these 3 games against Tamworth, Mansfield and Rushden respectively could make or break our title bid. If we can take maybe 7 points from the next 9 available then we’ll be in a very good position, but anything less than that then I think we’d be pushing it to overtake Oxford going into the final 12-15 games. Of course a lot depends on what the U’s do and they have a tricky game tomorrow against Kidderminster, where I hope their new manager is still enjoying his ‘honeymoon period’. The main thing for Boro though is to keep winning and keep putting pressure on Oxford. That’s all we can do.

Prediction: Tamworth 1-2 Boro