HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Tuesday’s EFL Cup first round tie by delving into their forums.

“Did we have a pre-season? We were chasing shadows and lethargic near the end against Crewe”, “It isn’t looking too rosy”, “It’s early days. Don’t get me wrong, that performance was bad, but if we are still putting in performances like that in a month or two then the alarm bells should be ringing.”

“The Salvation Army are more threatening going forward.” After a bright pre-season which ended with a 4-1 win over Milton Keynes last Saturday week, the mood among Stevenage supporters darkened when they were well beaten 2-1 in their season opener at home to Crewe on Saturday.

“We won’t be threatened by the drop like last season but my goodness we have a lot of work to do before we are challenging anywhere”, “It looks like the summer holidays were still ongoing after that second half performance. It was horrendous”, “It may be the kick up the backside the players need.”

Darren Sarll

“Darren won’t have been happy with that performance and will be telling his players as much.” Fans have great faith in the 33-year-old manager. Sarll took charge at the Lamex Stadium initially as first-team caretaker-coach when Teddy Sheringham left in February with the club in relegation danger.

“Failing to gel was a fairly generous assessment of Sheringham’s time here.” The club steered a path to safety under Sarll with the support of advisor Glenn Roeder, and the one time Rotherham head of player development was confirmed was confirmed as permanent manager at the beginning of June.

It proved to be a popular decision. “I reckon we have a bit of a gem on our hands with Mr Sarll”, “He can get the team winning in the league enough so that we can get into the top half of the table”, “His self-assurance is on a par with Graham Westley’s, but he doesn’t come over as arrogant.”

“I like the way he talks to younger players during the game, telling them exactly where and when to hold and when to go.” Fans believe he is particularly good working with less experienced or capable players. “He’s articulate, confident and engaging. Things are completely different to last year.”

A Lack of Balance

“The players know they have a way to go and apply themselves properly now”, “We were being outplayed in the middle all game”, “We sat far too deep so that there was a massive gap between the midfield and the strikers. There was no attempt to push forward when we were trailing.”

Stevenage operate with a small squad, so many of the starting XI (above) who played against Crewe could feature at Portman Road. Saturday’s defeat brought imbalances in the side to the surface, notably a lack of tempo from a central midfield which failed to take the game to the Railwaymen.

Fans complained of the side’s lack of a wide threat, with full-backs failing to support attacks coupled with wingers drifting infield and not stretching the game wide. “Our wingers were cutting inside but with defensive-minded full-backs who weren’t able to provide support when going forward.”

“We won’t complete a pass or keep possession unless we get some pace in the side”, “The number of times we gave away possession was unbelievable. Just stop doing that and we get a draw. Maybe some movement as well so that players have options and we might win a game.”

“Today showed the extreme lack of pace we have. It needs a huge improvement.” The lack of pace was a regular recurring theme. “We badly need a pacey box-to-box midfielder”, “Players were not showing all over the park and we were giving ourselves very few options”, “It was such a poor start.”

Stevenage 1 — 2 Crewe Alexandra

“Ah, the wonderful whiff of pre-season confidence, soon shattered every September when reality hits”, “We seemed to lack attacking movement in general today. A lot of players were standing and still waiting for the ball to be played to their feet and without enough movement to stretch Crewe.”

“You saw what an asset pace was when Crewe’s Alex Kiwomya came on and won the game almost single-handed.” The visitors took the lead on 64 minutes, one minute after Kiwomya came on when Ryan Lowe scored from his defence splitting pass. “Crewe’s substitute changed the game massively.”

“It was a cracking through ball for Crewe’s first goal.” The Chelsea loan signing and nephew of Town legend Chris Kiwomya doubled the Railwaymen’s lead with a superb solo effort 10 minutes from time before Charlie Lee pulled back a consolation goal for the hosts deep into stoppage time.

“Sloppy, we got exactly what we deserved.” Stevenage fans were left glum at the final whistle. “On that performance I could see us not picking up any points in the rest of August. That was the most winnable game in a tough run of fixtures”, “Crewe had a game plan but we take a lot of the blame.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“Defensively we looked solid against Crewe but two poor lapses and we were two down. The first was a shocking pass by centre-back Luke Wilkinson and a ball played between our centre-backs. The second was a good bit of skill but the Crewe player wasn’t closed down at all by our defenders.”

“I am happy that we have signed Jamie Jones”, “Of all the Chris Day replacements we have had, he has looked the best.” With 41-year-old club stalwart Day now taking a supporting role on the bench, fans welcomed Jones’s arrival on a permanent deal from Preston. “A solid and reliable keeper.”

“The defeat against Crewe could have been worse if Jones had not made a couple of good saves, albeit after a wobble for their first goal.” Some fans felt that the 27-year-old was caught in no-man’s land for Crewe’s opener. “He had a fine game but should never have come for that through ball.”

“I think Ronnie Henry is really a centre-half. He can get beaten on the outside and a good winger would probably give him trouble.” The 32-year-old former Hatter “is a solid right-back and a vocal leader on the pitch, but his lack of pace and mobility are always a worry for me”.

“Henry’s lack of pace means that he won’t push forward if his winger won’t cover for him”, “Did our full-backs play today? I saw nothing from them against Crewe, they were very poor”, “They tuck in to the middle of the pitch, allowing opposition wingers on to the touchline space over and over again.”

“Does Fraser Franks have a clause in his contract banning him from crossing?”, “Having a right-footed left-back will always cause problems getting the ball into the box”, “His versatility and solid tackling are strong points and he keeps things tidy defensively at the back with impressive ease.”

“I have too many doubts about Franks as an attacking full-back but he’s a passable deputy.” Some doubt the 25-year-old former Luton man. “A solid Conference player, nothing else”, “There’s player in the making in Franks and he could be a decent lower league player with the right coaching.”

“Peterborough fans did tell us Fox was an attacking full-back.” Fans have different concerns about 23-year-old left-back Andrew Fox, who replaced Franks against Crewe. “He’s regularly caught out upfield when possession is lost, frequently by him. A good coach should help him recover his position.”

“Wells is strong, brave and courageous, and not afraid of getting hurt for the cause.” Stevenage fans have had little to say about 31-year-old centre-half Dean Wells, who played at non-league level for Hampton & Richmond Borough as well as Braintree before moving to the Lamex two years ago.

Luke Wilkinson

“Wilkinson made a terrible error for Crewe’s first goal.” The 25-year-old ex-Hatter “over-hit every long ball he played and then couldn’t defend against Crewe’s 37-year-old Ryan Lowe, which is worrying”, “He has strength and pace”, “He’s a good steady defender, excellent in the air and a good talker.”

“Wilkinson is slightly on the slow side and sometimes gets too tight to the forward but more often than not covers makes up for any errors”, “His movement is good at dead-ball situations”, “Without him, Stevenage would have conceded many more and he has come up with some important goals.”

Central Midfielders

“Our midfield looked old and slow against Crewe, which it is. They didn’t get hold of the match at any point. They didn’t push forward to support the strikers or offer any threat, and they didn’t link-up or provide any service to strikers. We lack someone who will drive into the box with the ball.”

“I would have the energetic Dale Gorman in midfield.” The 20-year-old did not play against Crewe, but “is already established and looks stronger than last year. He will get a few cards but will feature regularly”, “He looked impressive in pre-season, like an established first-team defensive midfielder.”

“Gorman may have impressed but he is not a holder or a player who can dominate the middle of the pitch. I don’t get him.” The Northern Ireland U21 international “gets stuck into tackles but it’s good to see that he won’t shy out of them. He will pick up cards but will leave his mark on the opposition”.

“Charlie Lee looked off the pace.” The 29-year-old ex-Gillingham man “just looked unfit. We need some energy in that middle”, “He’s just not going to bomb up and down that pitch all day”, “On his day he has cracking determination and plays with such passion, giving the side energy and drive.”

“I would love a team with the commitment of Charlie Lee.” He is praised for his dedicated play. “He is arguably a better defender than a midfielder despite his lack of height”, “He is an absolute wall in front of the back four. He won’t ever be trim like Michael Tonge. I think he’s naturally rounded.”

Michael Tonge

“Michael Tonge was so off the pace today, it was scary. He and Charlie Lee didn’t look like they can play together”, “Tonge and Lee were awful. They were sat far too deep”, “As a pair, they are going to be exposed as a two in midfield and they got completely overrun in the second half against Crewe.”

The 33-year-old former Blade and Leeds player “is a good passer of the ball and a player who uses his brain”, “He has a quality touch and a sweet right foot but he is not quick enough or good enough in the tackle”, “He could not keep up with Crewe’s tempo and often ended up giving the ball away.”

Wide Midfielders

“Ben Kennedy was supposed to be at right-wing when he came on, but our right-back needed him in the channel where he could have been a threat. Instead he gallivanted around in the middle of the park doing nothing. If you are on the wing, get some chalk on your boots”, “He flatters to deceive.”

“Kennedy disappointed me.” The 19-year-old youth product “played completely out of his correct position, doing what he wanted rather than what was good for the team”, “He has good touch and control but needs to knuckle down”, “I forgot he came on which probably sums his Crewe game up.”

“I would start Tom Pett instead of Conlon on the right-wing.” The 24-year-old ex-Wealdstone man “more often than not runs at players and creates things. This occupies opponents’ thinking and keeps their full-backs pinned back”, “I’m not convinced he has it in him as he hasn’t improved.”

Stevenage fans fear that Pett’s confidence may be an issue. “He doesn’t commit players any more. He used to but now doesn’t. I can’t remember the last time he regularly ran at an opposing player. Now he gets the ball, makes an initial run before turning and passing back. He lacks self-belief.”

“Tom Conlon isn’t a winger.” The 20-year-old former Peterborough man started on the right flank against Crewe. “Conlon can play a free role, maybe at the creative tip of a midfield diamond with no defined responsibilities, but he’s not a box-to-box midfielder”, “He’s a creative and technically gifted player.”

“Conlon has been consistently impressive and tenacious in pre-season. Darren Sarll sees him as a wide player but he does drift inside when he isn’t seeing the ball. He needs to stay disciplined and track back”, “He has clearly bulked up, but I’m not convinced by him playing out on the wing.”

Jobi McAnuff

“McAnuff should be playing right wing instead of left wing”, “He didn’t seem to like to use his left foot which was a bit of a problem.” One problem highlighted by Stevenage fans on Saturday was playing two right-footed players in both wide left-sided positions. “Jobi was on the wrong wing.”

“McAnuff is potentially a class signing.” The 34-year-old former Reading man “is a natural wide player with a wealth of experience, He could potentially bring a lot to the table both on and off the pitch”, “He is excellent on his natural wing, making very intelligent choices and he is defensively solid.”

Strikers

“The strikers had no service and were working with long balls all afternoon against Crewe. They toiled and pressured the backline but they didn’t have much of a chance”, “They could do very little given the combination of a woeful supply and no support.”

“Rowan Liburd is abysmal. He doesn’t challenge for anything, wins nothing in the air for someone so tall. His first touch consists of a ball cannoning 10 yards off him and him then standing like a new-born deer before falling over. He strolls about not putting much effort in instead of proving himself.”

“Very poor.” Fans have been withering about the performances of the 23-year-old former Royal. “Someone pulled a fast one on Sarll, right? Are you telling me we paid money for him? The Reading jumble sale organiser must be wetting himself laughing. If he’s a footballer, I’m Angela Merkel.”

“Jake Hyde looks good but his reputation and fragility worry me.” The 26-year-old former York frontman “needs to work on his positioning. He can finish but has drifted offside at times”, “McAnuff did do one pass to him that should have led to a goal but he was too slow”, “He was pretty anonymous.”

“Hyde is repeating a pattern almost identically of looking tasty in what could be described as the less important fixtures.” While some Stevenage fans are reserving judgement, many want to see how he fares when the side clicks. “He did alright against Crewe and looked decent until he was taken off.”

Matthew Godden

“I like Godden a lot. He has good footballing intelligence, he’s quick and decisive”, “I have been very impressed by him. His movement up top is great to watch.” Fans have been quick to praise this side of the 25-year-old’s game. “Godden is strong, intelligent, neat and tidy and he has good energy.”

“When Godden held the ball up in the Crewe game, there was no midfielder to lay it off to.” The summer signing from Ebbsfleet “was impressive and put himself about”, “He pressurised defenders but couldn’t get hold of the ball”, “He is the best striker we have had on show this season.”

“Godden is our best outfield player. He tries to use the channels and close down defenders”, “I liked the look of him. His movement was good although it was never used”, “His positioning looks good, he has pace and is willing to run at defenders”, “The bloke knows where the back of the net is.”

Stevenage Supporters’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“Tuesday at Ipswich should be a lot better than Crewe as we will be expected to lose. We can go and play without any pressure.” Many fans are looking at the Town game as an opportunity to address the issues which Saturday’s defeat highlighted. Most are pessimistic about their chances of progress.

Websites

The busiest Stevenage message board is Boro Chat.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

Burnzee1991 added 12:10 - Aug 8 That Kiwomya looks a talent bring him to PR MIck!
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Seasider added 13:12 - Aug 9 Always reads Harrys reports,and this one as much as any he has produced says we have nothing to fear from this lot;so looking for a big win by 4 clear goals.Not achieved by Mick so far as I can remember although had a 4-0 win against Boro when TC was in charge.
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