Take a closer look at Saturday's opponents...
- Form:
After an impressive 3-0 midweek win against Grimsby Town, Forest Green find themselves sitting 6th in the league table after a strong start to the season. 5 wins from their last 8 games has seen the club surge up the table in recent weeks.
Mark Cooper' side have been particularly difficult to beat, with just 5 defeats in the league all season. This means that they have played through plenty of draws, but it is their away form which sticks out most - 26 points from 14 games means their road record is second only to Lincoln in the division.
- Squad Health:
Forest Green will be travelling to the Lamex this Saturday with an almost full squad, the only absentee being 27-year-old Dayle Grubb who is out with a knee injury. Centre-back Udoka Godwin-Malife signed from Oxford City on Thursday for an undisclosed fee, but the 18 year old is unlikely to feature for Cooper's side as the signing is likely to have been done with a view to the future.
- Top Performers:
Forest Green’s signing of the season is no doubt 23-year-old George Williams. In his 24 appearances this season, the Welshman has found the back of the net 7 times and no player has scored more for the Rovers this season.
For a man of such a young age, Williams carries vital experience on the pitch with him, having spent 6 years of his career with Fulham in the Premier League and Championship, as well as receiving seven caps for the Wales senior team to date.
Also towards the top of the goalscorer list for Forest Green Rovers is Christian Doidge. Doidge, another Welshman who Forest Green signed from Dagenham and Redbridge, has netted 6 times in the league so far this season and doesn’t seem to have issues scoring with either foot or his head.
After a failed permanent move to Bolton earlier in the month, Doidge looks set to be at the club for the foreseeable future with no doubt, a fire in his belly.
- Journalist’s View, with Henry Port of Gloucestershire Live.
Who could be Forest Green’s key player on Saturday?
"Reece Brown. After scoring two goals in his last two games, the midfielder is continuing to have a massive influence on the side since being dropped into a slightly deeper midfield role. A tricky player with the ability to get out of any tight situation, Stevenage will have to mark him closely if they are to get a result from the game."
What do Stevenage have to do to beat Forest Green?
"In order to beat Forest Green, I believe Stevenage need to press high from the front and make sure the away side are not able to play out from the back, as this is where they are most effective and where many of their attacks are started."
What do Forest Green have to do to beat Stevenage?
"In order to beat Stevenage, Forest Green have to make sure they are able to play their typical game of dominating possession and looking for small spaces whilst also keeping the likes of Ben Kennedy quiet as they look to pick up where they left off against Grimsby Town."
Result Prediction?
"I believe the game will be a very well-fought game and both will find it tough to break the other down, which is why I think the game will finish 1-1."
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