Manager Teddy Sheringham was a disappointed man after today’s 2-1 defeat at Crawley Town, calling it the team’s worst performance for a good few months after a run of otherwise positive results.
Stevenage’s preparations weren’t helped by Jerome Okimo pulling up injured in the warm-up and then Chris Whelpdale hobbling off injured after just 20 minutes, but Teddy remained upbeat.
“It was a little bit of a rocky day for us but these things happen. That's why we have a big squad, so it shouldn't be a problem. I suppose it was a little bit of a problem that Johno (Ryan Johnson) wasn't even in the starting 18 which makes it a bit of a patch-up situation. So it wasn't ideal and then losing Whelps, who has been a big part of our armoury, was a blow but that's why we have the squad.”
Chances came and went for both sides in a scrappy game at the Checkatrade.com and Teddy rued his side’s inability to hit the back of the net before the hosts took the lead.
“Yeah we've got to take our chances when they come to us. I felt we were fortunate to come in 0-0 at half time. I don't think either team was great but they shaded it. They had a couple more half chances than we did. We did dictate for first 10-15 mins of the second half but you've got to take your chances, otherwise it creates pressure and that pressure told in the end.”
After Gwion Edwards broke the deadlock for Crawley, Stevenage’s equaliser came from the spot when Charlie Lee was hauled down in the box. Offender Josh Yorwerth only saw yellow and when asked if perhaps the defender should have seen red, Teddy said, “Yeah of course. It's a situation where Charlie's got his body in the right position, he's going to take a touch and hit it and the last man was chasing back. That's why he makes that challenge, because he knows he's the last man. I think he expects to go off. Why he doesn't, I don't know but that's the decision.”
To hear Teddy’s full post-match interview, in which he talks about the challenge that Monday’s game against Dagenham brings and the imminent return of Ben Kennedy to the club, sign up or sign in to Boro Player today.