PETE HAYMAN

@ Boroguide

Last season was another exhausting scrap for survival, as it all went awry after a decent start. Our managerial merry- go- round was back at full pace – Paul Tisdale was in and out before his seat got properly warm.

The big talking point is what we can expect under Steve Evans [ below]. He’s had a summer clear- out, so we won’t have a patchwork squad of players signed by umpteen different managers. This season will be different because we shouldn’t be in a relegation fight? That was probably last year’s answer. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is probably trending towards the positive. Evans speaks very well and has a lot of touchline passion. If he left, he should be replaced by

Boreham Wood’s Luke Garrard. The thing my club really gets right is the community engagement. It hit new levels during the pandemic, but the club is doing a lot to continue that outreach across the town and beyond.

Our key player will be Luke Norris [ above], who scores a decent haul. Our most underrated player is

Terence Vancooten, though he is now firmly in the ‘ rated’ camp. Look out for Mackye Townsend- West. Fans think our ground is decent. Not the biggest, or the smallest – just right.

The one change I’d make would be to stick a bar behind the East Terrace. I’m least looking forward to playing

Northampton – a proper bogey team.

The opposition player who grinds my

gears is Mansfield’s Jordan Bowery. I swear he always scores against us.

The opposition player I’d love here is obviously Dom Telford.

The active player I’d love to have back is Ilias Chair, one of the most exciting, creative players we’ve had of late. He took us close to the play- offs.

I won’t be happy unless we go into April well clear of whatever scrap is happening below us.

Fans think our owner is either doing a good job or coming to the end of the line, depending on who you listen to. The ruthless decision to swap Tisdale for Evans showed Phil Wallace is still doing all he can... Mind you, it took several throws of the dice to get there.

We’ll finish 14th.

FFT VERDICT

20TH

With Michael Bostwick returning and 6ft 8in keeper Aaron Chapman coming in, Stevenage’s set- piece troubles should be a thing of the past. Evans will drill his team into shape well enough, but they may not have sufficient forward options to do more than merely survive.