Paul does a great job and he’s got some good players - Evans
STEVENAGE BOSS ON FACING GRIMSBY
STEVENAGE manager Steve Evans has talked up the abilities of Paul Hurst as a manager and his Grimsby Town team ahead of their meeting at Blundell Park today.
With almost three decades of experience as a manager, Evans has guided Stevenage, who finished just two places above the drop zone last season, to second after 18 games.
Boro have not lost away since September 17 and arrive knowing a victory could take them level on points with leaders Leyton Orient.
However, no opponent can be taken for granted, and despite the Mariners losing their last three in the league, they are capable of pulling off a surprise result at Blundell Park.
Evans told The Comet: “It’s another weekend where we are trying to add a point or three, but away from home in League Two is always really difficult, especially going to Blundell Park.
“Paul Hurst will have his team meticulously organised and ready for us. They’ve been in good form, although they didn’t get the best result at home to Doncaster. But if you look at the stats, they dominated possession, were dominant with their chances and set-plays, but the boy [George] Miller had an inspired game for Doncaster, and they found a way to win by taking chances on the counter.”
The Mariners have won just once on home soil in League Two this term, but overall have shown they have a squad with enough quality to be competitive at this level.
Evans believes the astute business done by Hurst in the summer makes them a team Stevenage cannot underestimate.
Evans added: “Grimsby will be backed by good support, and that always makes it a tough away game. It is one of those grounds that you look at in League Two and think is especially tough.
“Paul does a great job, and he has some good players, players who were attracting the interest of a lot of clubs in the summer.
“Paul used his magic to get them to Grimsby, but we have a group of players who are looking forward to the game and then a big week ahead.
“We have to focus and concentrate on ourselves. If we play very well, then we should come back with something.”