MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Sutekh » 06 Nov 2024 06:59




When : Saturday November 9 2024, 3pm
Where : Stadium, Broadhall Way, Stevenage, SG2 8RH
Capacity : 7,800

After 2 “meaningless” cup games and plenty of rest for the players :roll: comes another ******* away game. Yes Reading are taking their miserably cr@p away record to deepest Hertfordshire for examination by a struggling Stevenage (though playing struggling sides doesn’t seem to make much difference, just increases the likelihood that the struggler will find itself hosting AFC Charity).

Stevenage are not the Stevenage of last season that just missed the play offs, their play off ability seems to have left with their manager and gone off to Wycombe (or somewhere) over the summer leaving an awkward opponent that is still determining whether it wants to play mid table or relegation haunted football.

The Borough are now managed by former Rotherham striker Alex Revell and are not in good form with 1 win and 4 defeats in their last 5 league games, even their cup appearance last week was a real struggle, only going through on penalties after a 1-1 home draw with non leaguers Guiseley. Despite that it should be noted that the one win was away at high flying Mansfield so there is something to worry about if you let them off the hook.

It’s Stevenage’s midfield that are the worry as 8 of their 10 league goals have come from that department with Elliott List leading the way. Only 1 goal has been scored by one of their strikers (Jake Young). The summer saw them bring in 6 players plus another 4 on loan including Reading’s most pointless signing, Dean Bouzanis (who obviously won’t be allowed to play in the game). Their most well known player (and the Reading transfer that’ll never happen even though it probably should) is Jake Forster-Caskey but I believe injury has kept him sidelined so far this season.

Reading’s injury list has ballooned alarmingly with WiFi now out until February, joining Yiadom who is laid up until at least January in the long term section. Abrefa, Dorsett and Smith also remain crocked until at least after the next international break (or the Shrewsbury game next week if Reading can’t have the game postponed).

Referee

Craig Hicks

Previously

10 Feb 24 > Reading 2-0 Charlton Athletic
25 Nov 23 > Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Reading

Historically

Just last year’s 1-0 win as a previous league visit to Stevenage, but there have also been 2 FA Cup ties played there which returned Reading 1 win (2011) and 1 draw (2018) so, all in all, a bit of unbeateness going on, which would be great to maintain.

How to follow the game

  1. Get a ticket and travel
  2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
  3. Ring/text a mate for updates
  4. Use a RoyalTV subscription
  5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

Panas
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Panas » 06 Nov 2024 10:24

Going into their FA Cup game last weekend Stevenage had 4 fit defenders, and one of them got injured in the warm-up. I think it's CB where they are worst hit. If Smith is only out for this one league game, it may be quite a good one for it to have happened.

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LUX
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by LUX » 06 Nov 2024 12:55

Eh?

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Green
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Green » 06 Nov 2024 13:26

LUX Eh?

Probably an AI/chatGPT user looking at the post history

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tidus_mi2
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by tidus_mi2 » 06 Nov 2024 16:50

Well this will be my first away game of the season, so perfect time to start a 100% winning record.


Panas
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Panas » 07 Nov 2024 11:44

LUX Eh?


Stevenage have a massive injury crisis in defence, in particular at centre back.

We have one good striker, Sam Smith. He's injured, but apparently will only miss this league game (plus some cup games).

All things considered, we might have got quite lucky that it's this particular league game Smith is missing.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by mikey_1871 » 07 Nov 2024 12:32

Panas
LUX Eh?


Stevenage have a massive injury crisis in defence, in particular at centre back.

We have one good striker, Sam Smith. He's injured, but apparently will only miss this league game (plus some cup games).

All things considered, we might have got quite lucky that it's this particular league game Smith is missing.


Personally, I'd rather our best striker be available if their injury crisis means that this is a winnable game, rather than a harder game we're less likely to pick up points in, but each to their own

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by stealthpapes » 07 Nov 2024 12:38

The roar and release of energy at the end of the Stevenage (A) game last season was gr8. Apparently we celebrated like we'd won the world cup. So what.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by mikey_1871 » 07 Nov 2024 12:40

stealthpapes The roar and release of energy at the end of the Stevenage (A) game last season was gr8. Apparently we celebrated like we'd won the world cup. So what.


Indeed, we were in a relegation battle and had barely won an away game. Didn't expect anything from the game and it was perfectly understandable we celebrated hard!


Mid Sussex Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Mid Sussex Royal » 07 Nov 2024 16:56

Dorsett back training this week.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by WestYorksRoyal » 08 Nov 2024 07:35

Last league game for 2 weeks, so Smith should only miss one game. Winnable if we can turn up, but desperately short up top without Smith.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Clyde1998 » 08 Nov 2024 07:53

WestYorksRoyal Last league game for 2 weeks, so Smith should only miss one game. Winnable if we can turn up, but desperately short up top without Smith.

Would be interesting to see Harvey Knibbs given a go up top, probably as a replacement option for Wareham. I think he played as a striker for Cambridge and in the Aston Villa youth setup, along with playing wide and behind the striker.

Could be done from the start with a team like:
Pereira
Craig - Mbengue - Bindon - Garcia
Savage - Wing - Elliott
Camara - Knibbs - Campbell

Fully expect Wareham to start, but just thinking about what options we have if we need to change things or Wareham got injured.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Greatwesternline » 09 Nov 2024 07:55

Any pubs recommended pre match?

I swear 10 years ago this forum would have dedicated threads for each way game as to where people were drinking prior. Where does this discussion happen now, Snapchat?


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Clyde1998 » 09 Nov 2024 08:14

Greatwesternline Any pubs recommended pre match?

I swear 10 years ago this forum would have dedicated threads for each way game as to where people were drinking prior. Where does this discussion happen now, Snapchat?

The Football Ground Guide mentions:
  1. The stadium club house
  2. The Old Post Office, Unit 2 The Plaza Leisure Development, The Town Square, Stevenage, SG1 1PF
  3. Man in the Moon, Broadwater Cres, Broadwater, Stevenage, SG2 8ET
  4. Our Mutual Friend, Broadwater Cres, Broadwater, Stevenage, SG2 8EH

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Clyde1998 » 09 Nov 2024 08:15

Noticed Jeriel Dorsett was pictured in training in the week. I wonder if he'll be on the bench today.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Greatwesternline » 09 Nov 2024 08:35

Clyde1998
Greatwesternline Any pubs recommended pre match?

I swear 10 years ago this forum would have dedicated threads for each way game as to where people were drinking prior. Where does this discussion happen now, Snapchat?

The Football Ground Guide mentions:
  1. The stadium club house
  2. The Old Post Office, Unit 2 The Plaza Leisure Development, The Town Square, Stevenage, SG1 1PF
  3. Man in the Moon, Broadwater Cres, Broadwater, Stevenage, SG2 8ET
  4. Our Mutual Friend, Broadwater Cres, Broadwater, Stevenage, SG2 8EH



Much obliged

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Sutekh » 09 Nov 2024 14:00

Dorsett makes the bench


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Royals and Racers » 09 Nov 2024 14:02

Knibbs up front ?

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Clyde1998 » 09 Nov 2024 14:03

Sutekh Dorsett makes the bench


Exactly the starting XI I suggested above :lol:

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stevenage (a)

by Sutekh » 09 Nov 2024 14:11

Reading have not won an away game on a Saturday since March 2nd and that win is the only Saturday away win in almost 12 months.

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