Opposition Lowdown: Alex Revell's Stevenage

11/09/2024 05:31 AM

Reading return to league action this Saturday, travelling to Stevenage off the back two cup games. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.

Form

Stevenage finished ninth in League One last season, only five points away from the playoffs. They had secured promotion back to the third tier in 2023, ending a nine-year spell in League Two.

They currently sit in 15th place in the league after five wins, two draws and seven losses so far. Their recent form has been poor, having lost four and won one of their last five league games, with their most recent league outing a 1-4 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers. They come into this weekend's fixture off the back of a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup with non-league Guiseley, a game they went on to win on penalties.

The Royals claimed a double over Stevenage last season, winning 2-0 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in August, after two goals from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, and then 0-1 at the Lamex Stadium in February.

The boss

Alex Revell: Revell was appointed Stevenage manager on a permanent basis in May this year, having served a spell as caretaker manager following the departure of Steve Evans to Rotherham United.

He had a 20-year playing career as a striker, representing the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Rotherham, Cardiff City and Northampton Town. He ended his playing days at Stevenage and stayed at the club in a coaching role in their youth setup.

Revell had his first taste of first-team management in 2020, but his first season was cut short due to Covid. He guided the Boro to 14th place in League Two the following season before his sacking in November 2021.

He rejoined the club two months later, taking on another role in their youth setup, before being promoted to Evans' first-team coaching team. He took over from Evans on an interim basis in April this year and was given the job on a permanent basis a month later.

The 42-year-old has won seven of his 18 matches in charge since his return to Boro, giving him a win percentage of 39%.

Squad

11 players arrived at the Lamex Stadium this summer with seven signing permanent deals and four arriving on loan. Defender Lewis Freestone was bought for a transfer fee from relegated Cheltenham Town, while forwards Jake Young and Tyreece Simpson arrived from Bradford and Huddersfield Town respectively.

Stevenage also completed the free-transfer signings of defender Charlie Goode, midfielders Daniel Phillips and Dan Kemp and forward Louis Appere. Loan signings included Reading goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, QPR goalkeeper Murphy Cooper, midfielder Eli King (Cardiff) and forward Ken Aboh, who joined from Norwich City.

Key outgoings included defender Terence Vancooten, who signed for League One rivals Burton Albion, and Harry Anderson, Alex MacDonald and Kane Hemmings, who all left on free transfers.

Predicted lineup

Ashby-Hammond, Smith, James-Wilding, Piergianni, Butler, Phillips, White, Roberts, Kemp, List, Reid

Key player

Carl Piergianni: Defender Piergianni joined Stevenage in May 2022 on a free transfer after his contract expired at Oldham Athletic. He started his career at Peterborough United, but only made one appearance for the Posh before moving to Stockport County.

He spent a number of years playing non-league football, representing Stockport, Corby Town and Boston United before moving to Australia to play for South Melbourne. He signed for Salford City in 2017 and it was here that he made his way back into the Football League, securing promotion with the side in 2019.

Piergianni joined Oldham on loan in January 2020 before signing a permanent deal with the club the following summer. He captained the side in his final season with the club but couldn't save them from relegation from the Football League.

Piergianni has gone on to make 120 appearances for Stevenage since joining and has 13 goals to his name. The 32-year-old was named their player of the season in his first season, while also being named in the League Two team of the season.

Piergianni is a centre-back who is strong in the air, both in defence and attack.

One to watch

Harvey White: Midfielder White joined Stevenage from Tottenham Hotspur last September, signing for an undisclosed fee. He started his career in the youth setup at Spurs and made his debut for the club in a Europa League match in 2020. White made a further two appearances for Spurs but gained more first-team experience during loan spells at Portsmouth and Derby County.

The 23-year-old has gone on to make 36 appearances for Stevenage since joining and has three goals to his name. He also has two England under-18 caps to his name. White is a defensive central midfielder and is a strong tackler who is also effective at breaking up the play in the middle of the park.