They did a job on us at their place, but we had enough chances to get at least a draw. We should not fear them, but be very wary as they tend to do better against the better sides.
We made a mistake by leaving out Solly and playing Morrison at RB, hope Powell is not tempted to do the same again against the giants of Stevenage.
Why are people so scared?fair play to them they are a good organised side but we can beat anyone in this league if we play are best,we have the players to overcome stevenage.
Wasn't expecting to beat them next week, although obviously we are more than capable. They are a very good team who are very difficult to beat. I'd be happy with a draw. Tuesday's game should be seen as the must/should win.
On that pitch I'm not surprised that they lump it and that Spuds couldn't get going. It will be interesting to see if they can play it on the ground when they come down to a ground where cows aren't let out to feed between games.
Don't forget in the October game we lost to a deflected goal and BWP missed a couple of good chances, on paper it's probably the toughest home game we have left. But let's beat Rochdale first then worry about them at a packed Valley
Both Chris Powell (Morrison at right back) and Redknapp ( 3 centre backs), changed their systems to counter the Stevenage style of play and it hasn't worked. There might be something in that.
added to the change of Solly, we just didn't play well up there, probably the worst performance of the season. We've got enough about us to dirty out a win, but think we'll put a performance on.
There is a habit on this forum to massive talk up the teams around us, almost like the supporters don't believe in the team, and think it's all a big bluff that will come to the end
Both Chris Powell (Morrison at right back) and Redknapp ( 3 centre backs), changed their systems to counter the Stevenage style of play and it hasn't worked. There might be something in that.
I agree with that. I was quite irritated that we changed to counter them rather than let them worry about us. I was also watching today's game with great interest to see if Spurs could do better than us. I was surprised to see them hit long balls on quite a few occasions and thought how that wasn't the right approach.
Stevenage harry opponents very well but I think that if you pass the ball around, make them chase everything and keep the score at 0-0 then they will tire more. I would like us to do this against them and then try to hit them hard in the last ten minutes.
This way I think we could beat them and the least we'd get is a 0-0 which would be a good result imo.
Anyone who doesn't hold Stevenage in the respect they deserve clearly has Sheff Wed type blinkers on.
Stevenage drop back quickly in 2 lines of 4 to defend the 18 yard line and are very compact. If you are not quick enough to get between their Back 4 and Midfield, they are difficult to break down. I was suprised to see how much difficulty Spurs had trying to pass into the last third. It wasn't until they changed their midfield and tried to stretch the play across the width of the pitch, they got around the outside and opened them up. Stevenage are a counter attacking team who look to capitalise on the opposition losing possession and then launch direct attacks using quick supporting runners. It's easy to get caught the wrong side of the ball as they counter attack. They attack space very well and have a shoot on sight policy within 25 yards of the goal. Sometimes they get lucky.
It's important to be aware of their pattern of play and set the team up properly. However, changing your system sends out the message that you are worried about them and the game might be a problem.
Stevenage look a strong side to me. They'll be as up for it as us. Wouldn't be surprised if this ended 0-0 (unless we get a penalty or free kick just outside the area).
Some of the comments on here are totally bananas. Hoping for a draw at home to Stevenage?! Give me a break.
Absolutely nothing to fear from that set of cloggers, I'm sure they expended a lot of energy defending for 90+ minutes last night. Spurs were woeful (probably in part due to an equally unimpressive pitch), yet all Stevenage could muster were about umpteen harmless efforts from distance (1 only just whizzing past the post, in fairness).
I am under no illusions that the game will be a stoll in the park. Their work rate is immense and it will be a tight game but we should go into it with a very good chance of securing 3 points.
Stevenage have a tricky game away to manager-less Notts County on Wednesday evening and they will have one eye on the replay at WHL. They might even look quite jaded by the time they roll up to the Valley on Saturday afternoon...
Do people think we might have got something out of Stevenage away if Chris Solly, solly he's only 5 foot 3, was playing right back instead of Michael Morrison?
It will be a tough game, as Stevenage are a hard team to break down, but hopefully the prospect of a cup game at White Hart lane - amongst the highlights of their professional lives - will distract them, and reduce their intensity
The Stevenage pitch was not conducive to playing a passing game yesterday, so I assume that is why Spurs changed their style. With the pitch we have at the Valley I see no reason why we shouldn't play our own game by passing through Stevenage and winning the match, it won't be easy but at the Valley we should triumph.
Having said that Stevenage do have the best away form over the last 6 matches in our league,e but 4 of those matches were at grounds where you might expect an inferior pitch?
Sounds like we'll need to pass the ball on the floor, which means no launching it onto Kerms head every few minutes as they'll cope with it all day long
little concerned that the mood on here is starting to reflect at our home games. like we are waiting for a defeat and should be concerned about other teams.
we have lost twice in the league all season...and both were poxy little 1-0 defeats.
Theres nothing wrong with not under-estimating teams and staying away from being cocky, but we need to start believing again. we are the best team in this league and we should all know it by now.
Cant start sh*tting ourselves before games cos that nervous shaky attitude thats beginning to find its way into the ground will soon find its way onto the pitch.
It will be a tough game, as Stevenage are a hard team to break down, but hopefully the prospect of a cup game at White Hart lane - amongst the highlights of their professional lives - will distract them, and reduce their intensity
Cant start sh*tting ourselves before games cos that nervous shaky attitude thats beginning to find its way into the ground will soon find its way onto the pitch.
Well said, Gary.
Chris Powell said last week, that the nervousness in the crowd makes the team jittery.
I'm with VG, Rothko and Plaaayer, above. Who on here expected us to take six points from Sheffield last month? Not me, i must confess. All that fretting about MKD, and before that, Huddersfield? I think the team has earned a bit more of our confidence now, dontcha think? I think what the players would like is a really hostile atmosphere, matching their own determination to put the pub team firmly in its place
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We made a mistake by leaving out Solly and playing Morrison at RB, hope Powell is not tempted to do the same again against the giants of Stevenage.
Wasn't expecting to beat them next week, although obviously we are more than capable.
They are a very good team who are very difficult to beat. I'd be happy with a draw. Tuesday's game should be seen as the must/should win.
I do wish you would come on here more often as I do enjoy your opinions and well thought out posts.
Too much of a maverick to be in any clique though :-)
There is a habit on this forum to massive talk up the teams around us, almost like the supporters don't believe in the team, and think it's all a big bluff that will come to the end
Stevenage harry opponents very well but I think that if you pass the ball around, make them chase everything and keep the score at 0-0 then they will tire more. I would like us to do this against them and then try to hit them hard in the last ten minutes.
This way I think we could beat them and the least we'd get is a 0-0 which would be a good result imo.
Anyone who doesn't hold Stevenage in the respect they deserve clearly has Sheff Wed type blinkers on.
Stevenage are a counter attacking team who look to capitalise on the opposition losing possession and then launch direct attacks using quick supporting runners. It's easy to get caught the wrong side of the ball as they counter attack. They attack space very well and have a shoot on sight policy within 25 yards of the goal. Sometimes they get lucky.
It's important to be aware of their pattern of play and set the team up properly. However, changing your system sends out the message that you are worried about them and the game might be a problem.
Absolutely nothing to fear from that set of cloggers, I'm sure they expended a lot of energy defending for 90+ minutes last night. Spurs were woeful (probably in part due to an equally unimpressive pitch), yet all Stevenage could muster were about umpteen harmless efforts from distance (1 only just whizzing past the post, in fairness).
I am under no illusions that the game will be a stoll in the park. Their work rate is immense and it will be a tight game but we should go into it with a very good chance of securing 3 points.
Stevenage have a tricky game away to manager-less Notts County on Wednesday evening and they will have one eye on the replay at WHL. They might even look quite jaded by the time they roll up to the Valley on Saturday afternoon...
-OA, optimist.
Having said that Stevenage do have the best away form over the last 6 matches in our league,e but 4 of those matches were at grounds where you might expect an inferior pitch?
we have lost twice in the league all season...and both were poxy little 1-0 defeats.
Theres nothing wrong with not under-estimating teams and staying away from being cocky, but we need to start believing again. we are the best team in this league and we should all know it by now.
Cant start sh*tting ourselves before games cos that nervous shaky attitude thats beginning to find its way into the ground will soon find its way onto the pitch.
Well played to them they deserved an upset and gave a good account, other then us would love them to go up too
Chris Powell said last week, that the nervousness in the crowd makes the team jittery.
Who on here expected us to take six points from Sheffield last month? Not me, i must confess. All that fretting about MKD, and before that, Huddersfield? I think the team has earned a bit more of our confidence now, dontcha think?
I think what the players would like is a really hostile atmosphere, matching their own determination to put the pub team firmly in its place