Stevenage seek to sink the Swans

The last time Stevenage reached the 4th round of the FA Cup, they suffered relegation later that season. They will be out to progress in the cup, but avoid repeating history. However, there is the small matter of an in-form Swansea, who are flying high in the Championship.

These two sides have only met each other three times in their histories. Stevenage are ahead, winning two of the three games, however Swansea won in their only meeting in the FA Cup. It really is a David vs Goliath meeting, with Stevenage locked in a relegation battle, to remain in the Football League, and Swansea sat in the promotion places in the Championship. This is the sort of tie that the FA Cup is all about, and despite being opposite ends of the pyramid, form does not matter, and Stevenage will be hoping to topple a big side, to give their fans something to be proud of.

Stevenage

Stevenage survival last season meant many feared another tough season would be ahead for Boro, and they weren’t wrong. Alex Revell had to change the squad a lot over the summer, and he has made them more competitive, but it is still a struggle for the side. They are sat just outside the relegation zone, but with games in hand over the teams around them, they will be hoping that they can do enough to lift them up the league.

Despite being towards the bottom end of the table, Stevenage have a very solid defence with only six teams conceding fewer goals than them. Revell has an experienced backline to pick, with Ben Coker, Scott Cuthbert and Luke Prosser in the ranks. All three have vast experience, and with it, plenty of FA Cup knowhow. He has also reinforced the side this week, with experienced midfielder Chris Lines being added.

Going forward, Stevenage haven’t exactly been potent, where they have only netted 16 times, which is the second-lowest in League Two. Revell has already taken action, with Luke Norris signing this week too. Norris has got a decent scoring record at this level and also links up well with his team-mates. Revell will certainly be hoping that Norris can hit the ground running, especially given that he has a handful of goals to his name in League Two already this season

Swansea

Swansea have had a fantastic season to date, and see themselves 2nd in the Championship. Before the pause in the season last term, Swansea were 11th, but after a great run of form, they snuck into the play-offs on the final day of the season, after a big goal swing saw them push in. It was nearly the dream end to the fairy tale story, after beating Brentford in the first leg, however, they lost in the second. Play-off defeats can shake a club, but this side has been relentless. They have only lost three games in the league, and have beaten some of the bigger sides in the league too, showing that last seasons play-off push wasn’t a coincidence.

They have the tightest defence in the division, conceding only 13 times in the 23 games so far. They have recruited a couple of key, young, Premier League loanees, that have contributed to the defensive solidity. Freddie Woodman has played all but one league game for the Swans this season and has kept 13 clean sheets. In front of him, young Chelsea centre-back Marc Guehi. Guehi has only played twice for Chelsea, both in the EFL Cup, and he has shown he has a real quality about him, in what is his first season playing regular league football.

Swansea have got a fairly young side that is in its prime, with several players in their mid-20s, but very experienced. Matt Grimes, Connor Roberts and Jamal Lowe have all played a lot for Swansea, with Lowe particularly impressing. Lowe has netted eight times, as has Andre Ayew, who has continued to be an influential player.

Key Player

It is tough to know what side Swansea will put out, as they will see Stevenage as an easier tie, but they will be wary of being shown up by the League Two side. It looks like the type of game where Yan Dhanda will play, and it is a big opportunity for him to show what he can do. He has struggled for a consistent run of starts for Swansea, since his move last year from Liverpool, however, he hasn’t been as influential as he would have liked. Games like this are his chance to show he has a full set of skills, and really shine.

Stevenage will be hoping that Luke Prosser can keep the defence strong. He will have his work cut out against a Swansea side with threats from all over the pitch. He will have to be vocal, order his defence, and put his body on the line if Boro want to get anything out of the game.