Tomorrow sees the return of football to Broadhall Way as Brighton come to town in the second friendly of the season. It should prove to be a good test for Boro, who began their pre season preparations with a solid win away at Chelmsford on Wednesday night. It will be the first opportunity for many to see the likes of Yemi Odubade, Stacy Long, Joel Byrom, Chris Beardsley and Charlie Griffin in a Boro shirt and it could be the new shirt that they play in tomorrow afternoon.

Brighton, now managed by former Scarborough and Yeovil boss Russell Slade, will bring a strong squad up to Stevenage as they look to build on the win and draw they’ve already managed in their first 2 games of pre-season. They began with a 2-0 victory over Havant & Waterlooville, but were disappointingly held by Worthing most recently. Slade is looking to improve Brighton’s fortunes after the club narrowly avoided relegation to League 2 last season. Some of the signings that Brighton have brought in this summer include former Derby striker Liam Dickinson, Michael Ricketts and ex MK Dons winger Mark Wright. Their squad now has a much more healthier look to it and I expect a top half finish from the Seagulls this coming season.

As for Boro, the same sort of team is expected to start again tomorrow afternoon. Westley picked arguably his strongest 11 on Wednesday and I expect the same again against Brighton. It will once again be another game with changes happening throughout, but that’s always the case in the early stages of pre-season. The only injury doubt I’d say for Boro would be Ronnie Henry. The Boro right back was on the end of some tough tackles against Chelmsford and it’s possible he may have a knock or two. Other than that it should be a full bill of health as far as we are concerned.

This game will give GW and co a good indication of where the team is at regarding it’s fitness levels. I’d expect Brighton to be a bit more sharper considering they have played the one game more and been in training a while longer. It will be a different test to Wednesday night when Boro didn’t really have to get out of second gear to control the game and win in the end. Against Brighton they will have to compete and perform well to win the game, but to be honest at this stage of the season, winning isn’t the paramount objective.

Stevenage Squad

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

Prediction: Boro 1-2 Brighton

Lastly here is an interview from the Southwark News about Steve Morison and his move to Millwall this summer. Here’s a quote from Morison from the article.

“I haven’t failed to score less than 25 goals a year in the past 3 seasons and hopefully I can bring goals to the team. I have a decent presence, I’m quite good in the air and I’m reasonably strong. My all round game is not bad and I create goals as much as I score them” Morison on his strengths

It isn’t long until Millwall visit Broadhall Way and we get to see just how well he has settled in with his new team and whether he looks like he can play with them players. Whilst I think Morison will do well at The New Den, I don’t think he’ll be hitting 25 goals a season in League 1. You’re not that good Steve!