It turns out that old habits DO die hard if our thing for conceding late winners is much to go by. And it also turns out that we couldn’t leave that one behind in 2019 too; Boro’ starting a new year and new decade in exactly the same way that we finished the last. Full time, post-whistle navel-gazing is so last year now. So, how about we start going the whole hog in the next game and not clocking off before the referee and opposition?
Y’know – going the full 90 plus whatever gets added on at the end. We could even give it a punt this weekend with Colchester United in town. Now there’s a thought, eh?
Stevenage v Colchester United: The Preview…
Colchester United – who are they?
A win’s a win – even in the Leasing.com Trophy. So, that means our last time out against the Us is depressingly special. Now one month and six games ago, it’s the last time Boro’ came out on top against someone. To repeat the trick would be a mighty fine act and one we’d sign up to on Netflix or something like that. But, with only one win indoors against them to date (October 2018), it’s yet another tall order for us.
Our Record vs Colchester United: P 14 — W 4 — D 2 — L 8 — F 19 — A 27 — Pts 11
Last time out: Colchester United 1-2 Stevenage, 03 December 2019
How are Colchester United doing so far this season?
This is the fifth game on the spin that we’ve gone up against someone with high hopes for promotion this season. In sixth place with a game in hand on the side above them, the Us come to us in better League Two form than Northampton or Plymouth. Without a defeat in the league since 19 October (weirdly, Morecambe indoors), the Essex side are racking up those points – but have slowed up since Christmas with two draws.
With 16 points from the last eight and the sixth-best record on the road, the Us no doubt think points are up for grabs here. But we beat them once this season – so we can do it again. It’ll take some doing, though. Not only have they found the net in three-quarters of their away matches, they’re unbeaten in five on their travels. The last 15 before half time could be a crunch period too; that’s when they’ve scored the greatest share of their goals.
Tell us something we don’t know about Colchester United
Heading into the 1970s, Don Revie’s Leeds United side was a formidable force; League champions in 1969, before coming second in the league, FA Cup AND European Cup in 1970. Hoping to go one better on all fronts in the 1970-1 campaign, FA Cup Round Four took Revie’s team to Colchester. But a Us side of veterans dubbed ‘Dad’s Army’ thought little of United’s hopes, coming out on top and dumping Leeds out.
Leeds went on to finish second again in the league, but did win that season’s European Inter Cities Fairs Cup; the last one before it became the UEFA Cup.
What are the bookies’ odds for this game?
As ever, we’re coming at this earlier than you might be. So, that’s our disclaimer if any of the prices are moving. But, from what we see early doors, the bookies are almost torn on the outcome here. Of course, the Us are given the benefit of the doubt with a best price of 73/50 (Marathon), while we’re out as far as 11/5 (multiple). If the sadist of you wants to look after your returns, is 97/100 (Marathon) on our guests to score last one to pass up?
Don’t forget – be responsible. And when the fun stops, stop.
Which Colchester United player should we watch out for?
Luke Norris and Theo Robinson might be leading the goalscoring charge as things stand going into this game. But Frank Nouble is a danger man to look out for. The Englishman scored last time out for the Us, taking his season’s tally to four. He’s also chipping in with assists too, so he’s as likely to be creating for someone else as he is scoring himself.
Who is our ref for this match?
Ollie Yates. It’s not that long since Mr Yates was in our company, though we’d have liked a better outcome pal. Going out of the FA Cup after our Round One replay wasn’t the end of the world to be fair. You have to go back to last season for when Mr Yates took charge of a Boro’ game; our Easter Monday clash indoors with Exeter ending all square. In fact, two of the four games he’s taken charge of involved the Grecians at ours. Weird.
Our Record: P 4 — W 1 — D 1 — L 2 — F 2 — A 5
Last time out: Peterborough United 2-0 Stevenage, 19 November 2019
And, finally, what do you reckon?
For some reason, there’s a little tinkle of optimism in our mind’s eye. Back indoors, there’s every chance we can put some of the best bits of the last 190-odd minutes into action and get something from this game. The two big questions on our lips are a) can we get in front and b) can we stay in front. If the answer to the first question is “yes”, then we could be on for a point. The last time we were this upbeat was before the Crewe game, however…
Stevenage v Colchester United scorecast: 1-1 (90+4)
