Stevenage FC

Boro Player spoke to Gary Smith after Saturday’s defeat at Bramall Lane and he was disappointed with the manner in which his side were defeated.

He admitted that the homework had been done on The Blades, saying “All four goals this afternoon have come from crossing situations and we knew that it was a big feature of Sheffield United” and he continued “Sadly we have been unable to cope with that today and we have paid the price for it."

Stevenage lost 4-1, the same score line that they succumbed to against Preston North End in the game previous and the goals conceded column is one that troubles the manager.

“At 1-1 at half time I suspected that the players, in the second half, would make more of a contest of the game then they did. Of course the concern is that the second goal leads to four again and that is extremely disappointing.”

Smith welcomed Lee Hills back from injury and the left back showed glimpses of what he will offer the side, his inclusion meant that Darius Charles moved to the centre of defence however the Gaffer feels that it is another defender that is being missed.

“On days like today you miss guys like Jon Ashton. Big, strong characters who under pressure pick up good areas and sense danger. We’ve had bodes fill in there, Bondz [N’Gala] has done a good job there for a period and Darius [Charles] has done a good job on other occasions Today the back four have not been strong enough.”

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