We thought about producing a post-modernist critique of Saturday’s tie with Crewe Alexandra, but we opted not to. It is mainly due to the fact that, in doing so, we are going to have to mention Gavin Ward and the performance of the officials. To paraphrase Ron Atkinson, we don’t comment on referees and we’re not going to be breaking that rule for that prat…
Of course, we were slightly taken aback when both the Comet and Official Tweeters came online 12 minutes into the game and said the visitors were already two goals ahead. Some might say we like to be charitable on our own patch; hopefully the arrival of Walsall for a “get a mate in free” night will signal something different.
The Saddlers have had a decent start all told – themselves being unbeaten on the road, just like Stevenage. And they have won three out of the last four goals (although whether you’re able to count Pompey these days…), so we might just have to work for it against Walsall. It means not giving away silly goals and head-starts. We firmly believe this has been rectified and Boro’ will emerge triumphant.
We’d also be inclined to retain 4-4-2 with Haber and Pat up top. No point piddling around at home and waiting for the counter attack opportunities. Take it to Walsall from the off – Boro’ didn’t go two goals down against Crewe because they had two men up front. It was a bad few minutes at the back. And we’d also be inclined to retain the starting eleven; Shroot coming off the bench to score.
FIFA12 Verdict:
In the end, it was a rather dominant performance. Despite the possession stats favouring the visitors, Boro’ shaded the first half and took the lead right on the stroke of the break – James Dunne heading home Luke Freeman’s corner with aplomb. And possibly a plum; it is something we just don’t know in these alternate EA-constructed realities. HT: Stevenage 1-0 Walsall (Dunne 45+1).
Boro’ doubled the lead shortly into the second half; Lucas Akins converting a penalty after being fouled by Taylor in the box. A booking for the Saddler man, a goal for the Akins man – a fair deal. And things got even better on 69 minutes, when Robin Shroot scored from the spot after Butler was adjudged to have handled (and also after Akins had been substituted for Shroot, if you’d wondered).
A fourth came with a quarter of an hour remaining; Marcus Haber storming past the now deflated Walsall defence, before cutting back to an unmarked Greg Tansey to rifle into the top corner. The visitors managed to get one back after David Gray lost out on the right. In his deep position, Grigg was onside at the far post and was left to tap home what was quite the speculative of balls across the goal.
FT: Stevenage 4-1 Walsall (Dunne 45+1, Akins(p) 51, Shroot(p) 69, Tansey 74; Grigg 77)
Yeah, we’d be quite happy if that were to be replicated in real life too…
Bookies’ Verdict
Given Boro’s start to the season thus far, you’d think that a draw would be the most likely bet on Tuesday evening. Early indications suggest that Betfair are offering best odds on a stalemate – 257/100. A home win is 19/20 with William Hill at time of writing, and a win for the visitors is out at 7/2 with Bet365 – make the most of your cash. Totesport will give you sixes for a 1-1 draw, as it goes…
Team Tarot (4-4-2)
DAY //
GRAY / ROBERTS / ASHTON / CHARLES //
AKINS / DUNNE / GRANT / FREEMAN //
HABER / AGYEMANG //
