We needed that! It certainly wasn’t pretty, nor was it a game of scintillating free-flowing football, but the fact that we ground out a win against Stevenage last Saturday was very welcome indeed.
Having lost all three of our opening home league games this season, while demonstrating a very evident susceptibility to balls into our goalmouth, going into this match there was a real sense of trepidation that Stevenage were probably the last team that we wanted to face. However, in a strange way, maybe overcoming such an obdurate side as the Boro will benefit the team in a big way for the rest of the season.
While there were only three changes to the line-up that started the frustrating loss against Wycombe the previous week, with: Alex Gilbert, Tony Springett and Phil Chinedu replacing Charlie Wellens, Demi Mitchell and Sean Clare; it was the change of formation that perhaps proved the most decisive factor.
Richie Wellens has said on several occasions in the past that 4-3-3 would be his ideal formation, and certainly teams who play the type of possession-based football that he wants his to play do tend to adopt a similar approach. Whilst I am not 100% sure that Alex Gilbert himself was a target identified right at the start of the transfer window, his availability on a free transfer seems to have been key to allowing the gaffer to set up the team the way I believe he has wanted to for quite some time.
The combination of Idris El Mizouni, Isaac Hayden and Gilbert in the midfield just seemed to have a better balance than we have seen for quite some time. At the same time, a traditional back four seems to work better defensively, and having Jaze Kabia flanked by two wide men who can supply him with the crosses he seems to thrive on, should pay dividends going forward.
Any game against Stevenage is attritional, and this one followed a very similar pattern to previous encounters. Other than a couple of early efforts from El Miz and Gilbert that failed to hit the target, and a decent save by Nathan Baxter at the other end, there was very little in the way of goalmouth action in the opening half hour or so.
On the stroke of half-time Stevenage won a dreaded (by yours truly at least!) corner. While Boro’s Oliver Sanderson was the first to react, his header was clear of the crossbar, although it looked as if Baxter had it well covered anyway. It felt like a small thing, but a relief, nonetheless.
Nothing much changed after the break, the match continued in the same vein as a hard-fought, well-matched contest with neither side really looking like making the all-important breakthrough. That was until the 79th minute when a quick interchange of one touch passes between Yusuf Akhmarich, Sean Clare and then El Miz, saw the latter tee up the onrushing Gilbert to rifle home with his right foot. It was the type of incisive football that is so often missing from our game and sparked relieved celebrations all around the ground.
Late on, Baxter had to make a solid double save, charging out to block from Michael Mellon and then to deny Sanderson following in. Then right at the death, former O Dan Kemp somehow couldn’t steer his effort on target following in at the far post on a cross from the left. For the first time in a long time Status Quo echoed around the ground at the final whistle. More than just a very welcome 3 points, this felt like an important step forward in the evolution of this season’s squad.
After the match it was Paul Terry that spoke to Dave Victor and on the club’s own video interview, with Richie apparently “in the dressing room talking to the players”. Without wanting to start some wild conspiracy theory, we probably need to take that at face value. However, while it was understandable that Terry did the pre- and post-match interviews for the EFL Trophy game in midweek; it seemed somewhat odd that he was asked to do so after a performance that didn’t necessarily need very much of a de-brief as we won, kept a clean sheet, and demonstrated that things might be starting to click with the squad. Read into that what you will, as they say!
Of course, ideally after an encouraging win like that we would really like to have a game this week to focus on and to look to continue to build the momentum. Frustratingly though the trip to Mansfield has been postponed due to international call-ups for the Stags.
I have made it abundantly clear in the past that I find these international breaks beyond annoying. Especially the ones that come so early in the season when you feel as if things have just got going in the new campaign only for it to be put on hold. Thankfully it has been confirmed that the home game against Plymouth will still be going ahead, and we won’t have to face two blank weekends in succession.
In other news, it has been strongly rumoured that Oliver Dovin has seriously injured his shoulder and returned to parent club Coventry. Seriously what is it with us and goalkeepers? We just have to hope that Baxter can stay fit, or ,with Noah Phillips on loan until at least December, we will be relying on the previously ostracised Killian Cahill or an emergency loan.
Up the O’s!
