Stevenage Season Preview 2021/22: Please sir, can I have more goals?

A strong second-half to the 2020/21 campaign should be a cue for optimism at the Lamex this year, but question marks remain over Stevenage’s ability to find the net.

Alex Revell did well last season, that is not in dispute, but he will be worried by the fact his side netted just 41 goals across the campaign, which was one less than Scunthorpe who finished 22nd.

That will be something the manager, prolific in front of net himself as a player, will want to address. Boro started last season really badly after avoiding relegation to the National League only by virtue of a points deduction handed down to Macclesfield the previous year.

Just two wins in his opening 18 games had some question whether Revell was the right man to take the team forward but, to their credit, the club stuck by him and got their rewards. An impressive 12-game unbeaten run between mid-February and the end of April that included six straight clean sheets saw some Stevenage fans dreaming of the playoffs but bang on mid-table was about right. The arrival of Dean Wilkins helped bring an experienced voice to the coaching team which clearly helped

They will want to improve this season and they shouldn’t struggle, however, question marks remain about their ability in front of goal. The side is set up to play a 4-4-2 or 4-2-2-2 and they have a nice mix of experience and emerging talent to make you think this is a side on the up.

Are there enough match winners to really push for a top-seven spot? Maybe not, but it should be a brighter campaign for Stevenage fans in 2021/22.

The Squad

Stevenage have added some nice pieces this summer to a squad that was looking pretty good at the end of last season. Boro fans will be delighted to see Arthur Read return on a permanent deal following his release from Brentford. The 21-year-old put in some really promising performances last season and is one who can continue to improve.

Utility man Bradley Barry has joined from Barrow. The player is able to play a number of positions which gives Alex Revell cover without having to sign multiple targets.

Joseph Anang has arrived on loan from West Ham. The England U20 international is a hot prospect and was the Hammers U23’s number one last season. The 21-year-old is a player worth watching this season as he makes his first steps into men’s football. Jake Reeves has signed from Nott County after being a key man in their midfielder in 2020/21, scoring five goals in 41 league appearances.

James Daly joins from Bristol Rovers. He netted just three times in League One last season but the former Palace youngster will give Revell another option in attack. Luke Norris and Elliott List remain from last year with the latter looking particularly impressive, hitting 11 goals in all competitions, and they are joined by another striker.

Jamie Reid is a man who scored plenty of goals for Torquay in the National League and worked really hard during his time with Mansfield but, ultimately, didn’t put the ball in the net enough for the Stags. This is a fresh start for the 27-year-old after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for his services.

Terrence Vancooten, Charlie Carter and Luther Wilden make up a young, exciting core already available to Alex Revell.

Newcomer to watch: Jake Taylor

Jake Taylor is an excellent signing for Stevenage. The guy is a quality player, a top professional and a leader. It was a bit of a surprise to see him join Boro but now he’s there he’ll be a big player for the club.

During his seven seasons (one of them on loan) with Exeter, he made over 250 league appearances and was an important man in their recent playoff campaigns. At 29, the Ascot-born midfielder is still in his prime making this a nice bit of business for the Hertfordshire outfit.

Verdict

No one should expect Stevenage to struggle this season, in fact, they will be one of at least a dozen sides who think they can make a run at the playoffs. It remains to be seen whether they have enough goals in the side to do that, but mid-table should be a comfortably attainable target.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football