Finally! After what seems like four score and seven years, the time has come for Stevenage to get back out on the pitch and get this second half of the season well and truly underway. And we’re playing catch-up. Few teams, if any, have seen their January fixture list trashed to the extent that we have; rain, snow and FA Cup-related postponements put us as many as three games behind the rest and one at worst.
The most immediate thing to rectify against Leyton Orient tomorrow is Boro’s rather poor home form. Three wins out of 13 is not good enough and a record matched by Portsmouth, who sit in a lowly 23rd position. Admittedly, the number of home defeats isn’t much out of the ordinary for the position we’re in but now we lose the fear factor, the doubts etc and go all out for three points. We’re still in with a shout…
In a transfer deadline day twist, there’s every chance we’ll take to the pitch tomorrow with Leyton Orient captain (until 31 January 2013) Ben Chorley at the heart of the defence, in a partnership with Mark Roberts perhaps? Of course, it remains to be seen if he’ll be allowed to play, but if available, we’d bet on him to start. Mind you, given our record with that sort of thing lately, please don’t take our word as gospel!
Anyway, here are the crucial points to consider. We have three in hand over Bournemouth in fifth position and a full haul of points will take us level with them. We do face some very tough games in the weeks ahead, so it is probably imperative we start as we mean to go on. Last season, Leyton Orient came to our gaff and ended what had been an impressive run – now we’re on a bumpy one, let’s return the favour eh?
FIFA 13 Verdict:
Our controller is broken, so it’s not happening this week 🙁
Bookmakers’ Verdict:
Leyton Orient’s indifferent form of late means that Stevenage go into this one as marginal favourites, which makes a change from some of our more recent outings – if you can recall them. Your best price on a Boro’ win as we see is 7/5 and that is with Bet365, William Hill and BetVictor. If you fancy a draw, Pinnacle are offering 88/35(!) and the away win is 9/4 at a couple of establishments if you’re not so optimistic.
Yet again, we’re feeling a bit of love for Over 2.5 Goals (4/5 or 5/6 at most places) or Both Teams To Score (3/4 at Betway among others). If you fancy a punt on the first goalscorer, Dani Lopez is an interesting 13/2 if he plays after returning to Boro’, while Ben Chorley is 25/1 at Coral. We don’t know for whom that price was set… Those two as anytime scorers are 2s and 8s (at best) respectively. Everything correct when written…
Last Season:
Stevenage 0-1 Leyton Orient
Team Tarot (4-4-2):
Arnold
Gray
Chorley
Roberts (c)
Comminges
Akins
Dunne
Tansey
Morais
Belek
Hoskins
