Football Season Guide

Stevenage

In


Krisztian Hegyi (Goalkeeper, West Ham United, Season-long loan); Taye Ashby-Hammond (Goalkeeper, Fulham); Dan Butler (Defender, Peterborough United); Owen Cochrane (Defender, Youth); Alex MacDonald (Midfielder, Gillingham); Harry Anderson (Midfielder, Bristol Rovers); Ben Thompson (Midfielder, Peterborough United); Louis Thompson (Midfielder, Portsmouth); Nathan Thompson (Midfielder, Peterborough United); Nick Freeman (Midfielder, Wycombe Wanderers)

Out


Adam Przybek (Goalkeeper, Stalowa Wola); Jökull Andrésson (Goalkeeper, Reading, Loan ended); Jonathan Tomkinson (Defender, Norwich City, Loan ended); Josh Reid (Defender, Coventry City, Loan ended); Mackye Townsend-West (Defender, released); Max Clark (r) (Defender, Gillingham); Michael Bostwick (sp) (Defender, Boston United); Alex Gilbey (r) (Midfielder, Charlton Athletic, Loan ended); Alfie Williams (Midfielder, released); Daryl Horgan (Midfielder, Wycombe Wanderers, Loan ended); Dean Campbell (Midfielder, Aberdeen, Loan ended); Jack Smith (Midfielder, Kings Lynn Town); Jake Reeves (r) (Midfielder, AFC Wimbledon); Jake Taylor (r) (Midfielder, Eastleigh); Danny Rose (sp) (Attacker, Grimsby Town); Luke Norris (r) (Attacker Tranmere Rovers)

Stevenage sealed a remarkable promotion to League One as experienced manager Steve Evans proved his credentials again. He might be a marmite figure but he transformed a club where losing had become a habit. They had finished in the bottom half of League Two in four of the last five seasons yet the obstreperous Scot built a small but strong squad on meagre resources. They were the only side to challenge Leyton Orient for the title and played some superb football. He opted for a back three with an attacking triumvirate that worked a treat until injuries began to bite in Winter. They held their nerve to get over the line but Evans has had a busy summer rebuilding the squad for the challenge of League One. Midfielders Jake Reeves and Jake Taylor and strikers Danny Rose and Luke Norris are all notable departures but centre-backs Carl Piergianni and Dan Sweeney had outstanding campaigns and have signed up for the new season. Taye Ashby-Hammond’s loan move from Fulham has been made permanent and he impressed before his season was ended early by injury. Boro’ look set to become the Thompson Twins; with the midfield trio of Ben, Louis and Nathan all having put pen to paper this summer. Trialist Curtis could even make it a quartet. Like many others it is in attack where Boro’ needs to strengthen still. Jamie Reid and Jordan Roberts will need to repeat their form of last season and if Evans can make a couple of shrewd additions, they could surprise a few this season.

Target


Survival. League One football appeared to be a pipe dream just 12 months. Staying in the division would be an equally impressive achievement.