Too good to be true? Stevenage Football Club go into this latest League Two fixture – the 33rd of term, believe it or not – having put more than a month between us and our last defeat. Five games down the road, and Boro’ can reflect on a nice little haul of 13 points. The goal difference has turned positive, we’ve now won as many as we’ve lost and we’re a solitary point off a ticket to the playoff show. Of course, it is very much as things stand and counts for nothing come judgement day. Has this thrust of momentum, however, come at the right time?
In our path this week, as the prepared travellers among you know, is Crewe Alexandra away. Alex joined us this season after pushing their luck once too often in League One. They made an encouraging enough start to their life at this lower, humbler level of ours. One defeat in their opening eight saw them climb as high as third in the table, but it all went a bit Woking for them in December and January. As a result, we now find our hosts wallowing in 18th – far enough, for the time being, from the madding crowd in the relegation fight below ’em.
Crewe Alexandra v Stevenage: The Track Record
Not that we’re here to crow, you know. We are still reeling from our opening day wounder against Crewe – our first ever defeat to the Railwaymen. It was, however, a different time we suppose. We did different things. So, how’s this? In our three previous trips to Gresty Road, we’ve taken the full caboodle of points. And, if it pleases you sir and/or ma’am, we’ve done so by scoring one more goal than the previous trip: 1-0, 2-1 and 3-0. It’d suit our obsessive compulsive leanings, therefore, to have this finish 4-1, 4-2 or even 4-3. We’re really not fussed!
For all the table sliding Crewe did over the winter, spring has perhaps sprung for them. Indeed, a 5-0 tonking of Grimsby on 11 February – their first win since 22 November – set them on a run of three games unbeaten. It’s a run that also includes a win against Wycombe and a draw with Blackpool. At the risk of sounding nice to the Chairboys, each one of those three sides have had their moments this season. Even if they all are now looking up – rather than down – at our good selves in the table. Long may that ruddy bloody continue if you ask us too.
The gaffer hints that our chances of fielding an unchanged 11 are not the strongest they’ve been. And not in a good way, because Charlie Lee is back again. The notion of not having Ron Henry, Matt Godden and Stevie Schumacher isn’t nice, though we’re sure at least one of them will turn out. If not, the more than capable back-up brigade is on hand. So, peep-peep and all-aboard. It’s all about the Boro’ Express, calling at all station stops to Crewe. Well, that’s if Storm Doris Day hasn’t gone and blown it off the Cheshire map. Que sera sera…
* No FIFA 17 verdict again. It’ll be back next week. We promise. Honest guv!
Crewe Alexandra v Stevenage: How about checking out the latest Football Predictions from KickOff:
BoroGuide’s Crewe Alexandra club profile – ‘cos Crewe oughta know…
