Lack of depth at the back?
Posted by sgmboro on 29/09/2008
Yesterday’s team selection against York underlined Boro’s lack of depth at the back. With Luke Oliver missing after picking up a knock against Grays, Graham Westley opted to play Michael Bostwick alongside Ronnie Henry in defence. Instead of moving Albrighton to centre half and bringing in Anaclet, Westley unsettled both the midfield and defence and paid for it as Boro conceded 3 sloppy goals and came away with just a point after having a 2-0 lead. To me it looks like Westley has no confidence in either Albrighton at CB or Anaclet at right back. This creates a problem as Oliver and Henry are heavily relied on to stay fit and on form.
I think GW should of added a centre half before the transfer window shut. Someone in the mould of Mark Arber would of been a great signing as I still think Oliver is too mistake prone to be relied on regularly. I would like to see someone come in to partner Henry and have Oliver as back-up. I thought this was going to be the case when Albrighton signed, but GW obviously doesn’t think he is the answer so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go in January or continue at right back.
Well done to Scott Laird who was voted Stevenage’s Player of the Month for August. I don’t think it was a difficult decision to give Laird the award as most of other players had a shocker in the first month of the season. Boro only got 5 points out of a possible 18 in the opening month of the season and conceded a whopping 15 goals in them 6 games. Laird, so far this season has been one of our most consistent performers and has now made the left back spot his own.
Boro’s youth side are again in action tonight when they entertain Boreham Wood at Broadhall Way in the Southern Counties Floodlight League. Colin Read’s side last game was against Bishop’s Stortford in the FA Youth Cup where they won comfortably 7-2, although Read wasn’t particularly happy with the performance.
“I wouldn’t say it was a good performance, I would say it was a good result. Performance wise I’ve just said to the players, it’s a long way off what we would expect.”
It looks like the standards are quite high for the youth team and that can only be a good thing. Prices have been reduced to get in and watch the team tonight to £3 for Adults and £1 for concessions.
UPDATE: The Stevenage Borough Youth side beat Boreham Wood 4-3 in tonight’s game at Broadhall Way.
Boro’s reserve side are also playing this week when they travel to Southend on Tuesday. With the first team not having a midweek game then some familiar names may be making the trip to Roots Hall. Southend are currently top of the Totesport Combination East Division with 3 wins out of 3, while Boro are down in 7th after gaining 4 points in their opening 3 games, including the 2-1 win over Watford last time out. Southend beat Peterborough 6-2 in their last game with former Brighton striker Alex Revell scoring twice.
One player that could feature for the reserves tomorrow is Scott Balderson who has been picked to represent the Australia U20 side. Balderson is part of a 20 man squad that will compete in the ASEAN under 19 championships in Thailand in October. He is one of 5 players in the squad that play their football overseas. They will face China PR in their first match on the 5th October.
