… it’s Cheltenham indoors, so let’s talk it through. Yep, it’s time to weigh up what our own Saint Valentine’s Day Matter holds in store for this Stevenage side. Of course, the bottom line here is that we’re gunning for a fourth successive league win. It’s hard to remember the last time we did that, but it’d be better than a bunch of posies and an up-slap meal. And these are heady times too. Our incredibly satisfying win over Wycombe at the weekend thrust us into the top 10 for the first time since mid-December. These are heady times indeed.
If we can nab another three points against the Robins, the sides jostling for position in the promotion battle above us could come into striking distance. We’ve been here before, though. The win at Newport that lifted us to 9th position had us sitting a mere one point behind the top seven. So, we won’t be letting ourselves get too carried away. Darren Sarll’s men, however, have put together some solid performances of late. So, do we fancy ourselves at home to a club we haven’t lost against in the last four meetings? We should, really, shouldn’t we?
Stevenage v Cheltenham Town: A Love Story?
It’s not the first time we’ve faced off against Cheltenham on Valentine’s Day. And, to be honest, we don’t expect this latest outing to match the drama of 14 February 1998. After all, a bomb scare is rarely a source of excitement that we’d turn to. Plus, there’s no amateur game taking place across the road this evening. What would we do while the plod made sure all was safe? That match ended up all square, by the by – one of four (or five, if you don’t count pelanty shoot-out defeats) that ended all-square, like our earlier meeting this term.
As things stand, Cheltenham are doing their best to make sure their return to the Football League isn’t filed under “a waste of time”. The Robins are hovering three points above the trapdoor, like Accrington and Notts County. To lose wouldn’t be in their best interests, that’s for sure. And their recent form is a right old variable bag. The wins against Luton and Accy had an edge taken off them by a draw against Newport and a defeat, last time out, to Notts County. Points seem to be changing hands all over the shop down the bottom…
We come into this game with one of the best home attacks in the division, but still one of the worst defensive records indoors. Yet, it transpires we’re on for our longest run of home clean sheets in the Football League! Yeah, that stat surprised us too. Dust down the record books in anticipation, though we’re not there yet. One thing is for sure – three points and a clean sheet will be ideal prep for our trip to Exeter. The Grecians, more than anyone, have shown the value of a good run of form. So, let’s make sure we keep ours chugging along…
* No FIFA 17 verdict this time.
BoroGuide’s Cheltenham Town club profile – the perfect gift for lovers’ worldwide…
