Stevenage (A) League One 26 Apr, 3.00pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

Our final away game of the season takes us to bottom club Stevenage, who are already relegated three years after gaining promotion from League Two. It will be interesting to see whether the fact of relegation has lifted the pressure off their players...or they might play a team of kids and gift us three points (I can dream - I just need us to finish in the top half for the sake of my wallet!!). Stevenage's current form is pretty dire:

Mar 29 Port Vale (H) Drew 1-1
Apr 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) Drew 0-0
Apr 5 Shrewsbury Town (A) Lost 1-0
Apr 12 Colchester United (H) Lost 2-3
Apr 18 Sheffield United (A) Lost 1-0
Apr 21 Bristol City (H) Lost 1-3

Stevenage's most recent win was eleven games ago when they overcame Tranmere Rovers 3-1 - they had a run of three wins and a draw at that stage actually climbing out of the bottom four, but since then ten games without a win has resulted in their current plight. They are one of the few teams to have actually scored fewer goals than us (43 compared to 47) but goals conceded amount to 68. Stevenage's leading scorer is Zoko with 14, but he hasn't played or even been on the bench for the most recent two games - injury or loan return (?). Freeman has 7 goals so far and will probably play, but Morais (6 goals) was sent off for fighting against Colchester two games ago so may miss our game.

It's about time we won......and as our away form appears to be more reliable than at home I will go for a 0-2 win. Mantom and Bakayoko ?

[aaaae]

I went to Stevenage last season and have no desire at all to repeat the experience.....although they do serve chips, big chunky chips.

We'll take an early lead, then sit back and invite the inevitable equaliser. 1-1.

[kshammer]

Us, playing overly nice but ineffective, in a game we couldn't care less about playing away against a bunch of talentless, Graham Westley, donkey's in a game they couldn't care less about.

It will be an absolute belter - 7-6 to us.

Also, may I just say, how delighted I am that Graham Westley has been relegated. Maybe his breaking the toilets routine didn't work for them either the big prick him.

[tinned]

I agree with aaae in that it will be another groundhog day.

[Guest]

Can't be bothered with this one. I'm off back to Hong Kong...

[moaning saddler]

Top Tip - get your chips before kick-off. If you wait until half-time, you risk being served an overcooked mess tasting of cardboard.

[aaaae]

Or, even topper tip, get your chips at Burger King across the road before the match.

[TheSwift]

Or the toppest tip, don't bother going and get some from the local chippy.

[Sadders]

Jesus, is this season still ongoing?

[chestersaddler]

Or the toppest tip, don't bother going and get some from the local chippy.

Particularly if you live near one that sells orange chips - one in Darlo as I recall.

[Tyldesley_saddler]

Or the toppest tip, don't bother going and get some from the local chippy.

Particularly if you live near one that sells orange chips - one in Darlo as I recall.

One in Harden aswell.

[chestersaddler]

Or the toppest tip, don't bother going and get some from the local chippy.

Particularly if you live near one that sells orange chips - one in Darlo as I recall.

One in Harden aswell.

Is that oop north?

[Tyldesley_saddler]

Or the toppest tip, don't bother going and get some from the local chippy.

Particularly if you live near one that sells orange chips - one in Darlo as I recall.

One in Harden aswell.

Is that oop north?

Nah just up from Leamore.

[chestersaddler]

There used to be a boster in Great Bridge. Was part of my job as a 16 year old to fetch the chips on a Friday.

[aaaae]

Best pre-match chips, thank goodness they are looking good for promotion, Rochdale.

[leics_saddler]

Didn't Dean Smith mumble something about 'preparing for next season now' at some point last week?
They've gone, we're stagnant.
Walk the walk now please.

[DonningtonSaddler]

Or the toppest tip, don't bother going and get some from the local chippy.

Particularly if you live near one that sells orange chips - one in Darlo as I recall.

One in Harden aswell.

The chippy down The Butts does orange chips.

[realist saddler]

Anyone going here tomorrow must really be bored witless on a Saturday afternoon

[JonnyOwen]

Anyone going here tomorrow must really be bored witless on a Saturday afternoon

Nope, I just love watching Walsall play, win lose or draw football is entertaining... obviously a lot more entertaining when you win though.

If you offered me a date with Megan Fox, or going to watch the Saddlers, I would pick the latter 100% of the time.

[aaaae]

I'm taking my 11 year old to watch Divergent at the Cinema. Could be just as dull.

Mind you my 7 year old has a footie match in the morning and I'll get my footie fix there. They are much more direct and exciting to watch than the Saddlers anyway!

[Welsh_Saddler]

According to the BBC website Stevenage are unable to call on 8 (yes, EIGHT) of their first team squad because of injuries or suspensions. Those ruled out include Zoko and Morais, their leading and 3rd place goalscorers.

Surely we can get 3 points from this one??? Dean Smith has an unchanged squad to call upon, and Andy Taylor will be wanting to get back on the pitch. Milan Lalkovic is also fit (allegedly).

[Jolly Johnny]

This lot haven't won a game in a long time. If we don't win tomorrow, we're a complete team of richards!

[chestersaddler]

This lot haven't won a game in a long time. If we don't win tomorrow, we're a complete team of richards!

You can. Get 6/4 for us to win. Dip ya bread.

[moaning saddler]

This looks like a cracking opportunity to finally make some real money. Lump on the Super Saddlers tomorrow, then join Swiftyboy's Non-Pyramid scheme, wait for the dosh to roll in, buy UTS, and then retire to Cyprus. Happy Days.

[aaaae]

I wouldn't put a single pence on us to win.

[Guest]

This looks like a cracking opportunity to finally make some real money. Lump on the Super Saddlers tomorrow, then join Swiftyboy's Non-Pyramid scheme, wait for the dosh to roll in, buy UTS, and then retire to Cyprus. Happy Days.

I'll have some of that!

[PT]

I agree with the 1-1 predictions.

It will be followed by Dean Smith being confused by at least one of the following;

- How we didn't win given the amount of chances we created.
- How we didn't win given the amount of the ball we had
- How we ended up with 10 men and they ended up with 11 given the amount of fouls made by both teams.
- The penalty they got
- The penalty we didn't get
- Where such a poor performance came from as the lads had been right at it in training all week
- How they can be bottom of the league as they are far from the worst team we've played

ELO's "confusion" to be played on a loop on the team bus back home.

The good thing about today is that bar a cup draw we won't be playing these again for a while. Been there twice and found them to be quite a spiteful little bunch obviously personified by their manager.

[bangsection]

Surprise Notts County-esque win on the cards today. 4-0 to us.

[BathSaddler]

0-0.

[chestersaddler]

0-2 Westcarr and Ngoo

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