Match Thread: Lincoln City v Stevenage | Page 9 | Vital Football

Match Thread: Lincoln City v Stevenage

Evans and his football brand is all very odd as he has been very successful yet he has never really progressed. He seems to have done so with his own brand of football and has been to a fair share of clubs with larger budgets. He one appointment outside of the lower league clubs Leeds didn’t last long nor does it linger in the memory.

I think there is a reason why he goes no higher - Stevenage are a strange team massively punching above their weight. They are like a pound shop Rotherham. Their players are all league two average league one (Oliver in the play off of a league one team there is hope for us all yet) yet they are right up there.

I don’t think we are ready for a place in the championship, Stevenage even less so - unless the owner has a cheque book bigger then Evans mouth their rag tag army and tactics will crash and burn.
 
Stevenage were extremely well organised but I honestly don't think they are that good. We had a bit of an off day with some of our recent top performers not hitting the heights of recent games. This is not sour grapes obviously they have managed to get in the playoffs at the moment playing the way they do but i honestly can't see them getting promoted.
There's only one player in their side who I thought stood out for them and that was Piergianni who won everything in the air in defence for them and in our box when they attacked. But his feathers were ruffled a bit when Draper came on and put himself about.
I still enjoyed the game and although not a great spectacle that's ten unbeaten and another clean sheet which I am sure a lot of other clubs would give their right arms for. To me Skubala is utilising his available players the best way he can and the evolution continues. The players definitely look like they are solidly together and behind the Manager.
I like what he says before and after matches he is not arrogant and doesn't make wide sweeping statements or claims. We are in safe hands and maybe a bridge too far this season but I a really excited about the future.
 
Just watched the extended highlights and the commentator misnamed at least 4 of our players; Bishop became House, Taylor became House, Hackett became Moylan. Not sure if he got his numbers mixed up or was just guessing.
 
Bucksimp said:
The FA haven't got a bog roll long enough to record them all on.
Allegedly.................
After returning to Boston following his suspension from football he was given a suspended fine of £1,000 after admitting to using insulting or abusive words to the match official in their game against Peterborough.
Four months later he was escorted from Grimsby Town’s stadium Blundell Park by Humberside Police at half-time after he berated the fourth official after being incensed when Grimsby goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall appeared to handle the ball outside his area and was immediately spoken to by a police officer after a complaint of alleged foul and abusive language.
Later that year Evans was removed from the dug out after 55 minutes in Boston’s 1-0 defeat against Wycombe following an altercation with Wycombe’s Tommy Doherty.
In his first season at Crawley he was sent from the dug-out six times. The first two incidents resulted in a four game ban but at the end of the season he was hauled in front of the FA to answer the other four red cards, which he amassed in just seven games, and was given a suspended ban for the start of the following season. He appealed the four game ban and had it reduced to two, but then appealed the suspended sentence. The FA responded by slapping him with an immediate ten match ban and another suspended ten match ban on top of that.
Evans was banned for six games and fined £3,000 after the FA found him guilty of using abusive and insulting words and behaviour with a reference to gender. The incident took place following an ugly game between Crawley and Bradford which ended in a mass brawl and five players being sent off in the changing room.
Went quiet for a while, then in 2018 while at Posh he got a £1000 fine for four yellow cards and somehow managed to avoid an automatic touchline ban.
In August 2021 while at Gillingham he got a one match ban and a £1000 fine.
In October 2022 with Stevenage he was fined £500 after receiving a red card.
March 2024 another yellow. Headline: 'Steve Evans fumes at referee after Lincoln draw.'
I might have missed some.
Can't think of another manager who comes anywhere close in terms of shithousery.
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As Michael Appleton once said, ‘come here and say that’.
 
cherryexile said:
Just watched the extended highlights and the commentator misnamed at least 4 of our players; Bishop became House, Taylor became House, Hackett became Moylan. Not sure if he got his numbers mixed up or was just guessing.
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I thought it was me for a minute. He also said at one point that Luton were Stevenage's rivals. When mentioning Taylor.
I know they are geographically close, but thats like saying Forest are our rivals. I know Luton have been down for a long time, but I wonder how many times they have played each other since Stevenage were (re) formed in 1976.
 
Bucksimp said:
I thought it was me for a minute. He also said at one point that Luton were Stevenage's rivals. When mentioning Taylor.
I know they are geographically close, but thats like saying Forest are our rivals. I know Luton have been down for a long time, but I wonder how many times they have played each other since Stevenage were (re) formed in 1976.
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4 league seasons, 2 efl trophy, 1 league cup
 
They were the most Steve Evans team I've seen, he will be delighted, very much in his model. Whether that model is right or wrong will depend on how much of a purist you are. And doesn't change the fact can't stand the man.

Defensively both teams were excellent. They did a job on Bishop and Reeco, outnumbered us in that area of the pitch. Only time they got in was one mistake.

Should be treated as a game to learn lots from - how do we break down these teams?
 
We have been a bit spoilt by all the good football played since half time at Wycombe. This was more like the Peterborough game, but without the quality, in terms of little of note happening in the final thirds.

Thought Moylan had a good game and in hindsight might have started with Draper rather than Taylor. Otherwise it was too teams cancelling one another out and creating very few chances. Not a great watch but the unbeaten run continues.
 
Chimpimp said:
Well I would be interested to know who those 6 teams better than Stevenage are .....

Just look at the League table.

In our unbeaten run 3 of the top 6 have failed to beat us or look better than us.

With the present squad available regularly...I don't think we are far away from a top 6 side.

Unfortunately that couldn't be said from September to early January...for reasons we all know.
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Agree, we have a top 6 side when all are fit (rarely) and we have a manager able to set them up (we do now).
I had money on us making the play offs, and a wager with a Barnsley fan that we would finish above them. In hindsight, the second was probably a touch foolhardy.
Sadly, we will lose some in the summer, and not sure we can replace with their equals. This season was a good chance for us, the cards haven't fallen quite for us.
 
Interesting to see Sean Roughan continue to fly under the radar: not a maker of headlines but currently sitting sixth in VLC Player of the Seasons ratings.
 
Bucksimp said:
I thought it was me for a minute. He also said at one point that Luton were Stevenage's rivals. When mentioning Taylor.
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The Football Ground Guide website has Luton as their biggest rivals along with Barnet:

'Stevenage and Luton have both spent a fair whack of time in the lower leagues over the years and that fact along with the close proximity – just 15 miles – means their games can get heated.'

footballgroundguide.com

Lamex Stadium | Broadhall Way | Stevenage FC | Football Ground Guide

The Football Ground Guide to the Lamex Stadium, Broadhall Way Stevenage FC. Directions, parking, pubs, by train, reviews, maps & photos. All the info & more!
footballgroundguide.com footballgroundguide.com

The same website, however, gives Luton's biggest rivals only as Watford.
 
Scotimp said:
Interesting to see Sean Roughan continue to fly under the radar: not a maker of headlines but currently sitting sixth in VLC Player of the Seasons ratings.
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Sean is developing really well. A lot of his clumsy mistakes have gone from his game, and he really seems to be growing into the role Skoobs wants him to play.

When they are all fit, we have five quality CBs so Sean will know he has to be consistant to keep his place. And he has been exactly that since winning the left centra back place back from TJ.
 
We are defending well and testament to all.

Paudie was my man of the match from a pure defensive perspective. I did feel though the centre halves were slow moving the ball and played some pretty woeful diagonal balls. It’s having that balance between a real warrior of a centre half, or one that can play good possession football. Quite rare you get both at this level.
 
Yeah credit where credit is due, I slated Paudie a bit earlier on in the season for poor performances but he is now right back on the top of his game. Much needed too given Jacko is out.
 
Both O'connor and Mitchell are die hard give it all battling defenders and have consistently won more challenges than they have lost particularly in recent games. O'connor excelled at this against Stevenage,.
But my only gripe is there poor distribution out of defence they definitely don't look comfortable with the ball at their feet. But very rarely do you get both in a defender. I think Montsma was probably our best ball playing defender of recent times but the acl injuries looked to have put paid to him as an option.
 
andy_imp said:
We are defending well and testament to all.

Paudie was my man of the match from a pure defensive perspective. I did feel though the centre halves were slow moving the ball and played some pretty woeful diagonal balls. It’s having that balance between a real warrior of a centre half, or one that can play good possession football. Quite rare you get both at this level.
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It's about getting the right mix as a partnership as well. If we're remaining a three at the back side, it doesn't necessarily mean we need 3 ball playing CB's. In fact I'd rather see a couple of O'Connor/Mitchell types rather than two ball playing types (not that it has to be one or the other but as you say, it's a balance but also that balance is probably quite rare at L1 level. The closest we had to that was Walsh and he was at L1 level because of his injury record, not ability).
 
A very frustrating day on Saturday, on reflection. Two quite evenly matched teams, cancelling each other out, and quite frankly the draw was a fair result on reflection. However, my frustration stems from Lincoln's players lack of common sense regarding fouls and misconduct, and how referee's react.
Firstly, you can look at this through your red and white tinted spectacles, but Ethan should have been sent off. He was guilty of dissent, and then guilty of stopping a promising attack, and if you didn't see the obvious push, then I would recommend a trip to Specsavers. Two mandatory yellows, which Mr Madley failed to apply. Why does he feel the need to moan at referees, let your feet do the talking.
Secondly, Ben House. You can't jump about in front of a goalkeeper. The Law says, 'An indirect free kick is awarded if a player prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball....' But more importantly, why does he do it? What tactical purpose does it serve, other than to ensure he's offside when the ball comes back quickly. He was another one close to a second yellow, after a silly reckless challenge which gave away a silly free kick, he continue to moan and groan. You're better than that, Ben! I recall my frustration in the Away game at Derby last season when he was sent off early in the second half for a silly challenge and a second yellow when we were leading 1-0, a game we ended up drawing with ten men.
At the end of the first half, I recall the ball was going out of play for a corner to us, but either O'Connor or Mitchell fouled the defender and gave away a silly free kick. And Draper went down in a challenge near the end looking for a free kick/penalty, but my Labrador wouldn't have been fooled by it.
We're far better than this, we're developing into a real footballing side, but finishing the game with ten men or racking up silly cautions will do us no favours in the long run. And our sending off count this season is nothing to be proud of.
Thanks Mr Madley, we owe you one, I just hope the assessor in the stand was as kind to you as you were to us. UTI
 
JohnGee said:
A very frustrating day on Saturday, on reflection. Two quite evenly matched teams, cancelling each other out, and quite frankly the draw was a fair result on reflection. However, my frustration stems from Lincoln's players lack of common sense regarding fouls and misconduct, and how referee's react.
Firstly, you can look at this through your red and white tinted spectacles, but Ethan should have been sent off. He was guilty of dissent, and then guilty of stopping a promising attack, and if you didn't see the obvious push, then I would recommend a trip to Specsavers. Two mandatory yellows, which Mr Madley failed to apply. Why does he feel the need to moan at referees, let your feet do the talking.
Secondly, Ben House. You can't jump about in front of a goalkeeper. The Law says, 'An indirect free kick is awarded if a player prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball....' But more importantly, why does he do it? What tactical purpose does it serve, other than to ensure he's offside when the ball comes back quickly. He was another one close to a second yellow, after a silly reckless challenge which gave away a silly free kick, he continue to moan and groan. You're better than that, Ben! I recall my frustration in the Away game at Derby last season when he was sent off early in the second half for a silly challenge and a second yellow when we were leading 1-0, a game we ended up drawing with ten men.
At the end of the first half, I recall the ball was going out of play for a corner to us, but either O'Connor or Mitchell fouled the defender and gave away a silly free kick. And Draper went down in a challenge near the end looking for a free kick/penalty, but my Labrador wouldn't have been fooled by it.
We're far better than this, we're developing into a real footballing side, but finishing the game with ten men or racking up silly cautions will do us no favours in the long run. And our sending off count this season is nothing to be proud of.
Thanks Mr Madley, we owe you one, I just hope the assessor in the stand was as kind to you as you were to us. UTI
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Agree with this, House has picked up gobby bookings ever since he came back, but you fail to mention the physical assault by Jamie Reid on Jensen, it looked to be premeditated to soften him up. Reid was not looking at the ball, just the keeper and lead with his elbow to the head. That was a Red far more than Erhahon got booked for and Madley was very kind to them in that instance. Percy Freeman got away with that in the 1970's but things have moved on fortunately ! I dont know what House did wrong a yard away from the keeper, he was not moving, their keeper could have gone either side but chose to moan and break up play as they were doing all afternoon. He could have released the ball if he had wanted. The other lot were as guilty of silly fouls as we were to give this more balance.
UTI.
 
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