Football Season Guide

Stevenage sealed a remarkable promotion to League One as experienced manager Steve Evans proved his credentials again. He might be a marmite figure but he transformed a club where losing had become a habit. They had finished in the bottom half of League Two in four of the last five seasons yet the obstreperous Scot built a small but strong squad on meagre resources. They were the only side to challenge Leyton Orient for the title and played some superb football. He opted for a back three with an attacking triumvirate that worked a treat until injuries began to bite in Winter. They held their nerve to get over the line but Evans has had a busy summer rebuilding the squad for the challenge of League One. Midfielders Jake Reeves and Jake Taylor and strikers Danny Rose and Luke Norris are all notable departures but centre-backs Carl Piergianni and Dan Sweeney had outstanding campaigns and have signed up for the new season. Taye Ashby-Hammond’s loan move from Fulham has been made permanent and he impressed before his season was ended early by injury. Boro’ look set to become the Thompson Twins; with the midfield trio of Ben, Louis and Nathan all having put pen to paper this summer. Trialist Curtis could even make it a quartet. Like many others it is in attack where Boro’ needs to strengthen still. Jamie Reid and Jordan Roberts will need to repeat their form of last season and if Evans can make a couple of shrewd additions, they could surprise a few this season.