The Game
Stevenage v Argyle. Lamex Stadium. Thursday, 1 January. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Stevenage are seventh in League One, with 36 points from 21 games played so far.
They got away to a stunning start, winning eight of the first ten games, and finding themselves the early leaders of the division. That ended with a 2-1 loss at Lincoln City, in October, and results – and goals - have been harder to come by since.
Over the next three games, Stevenage scored just once, drawing 1-1 with Bradford City, then losing 1-0 to Reading and drawing 0-0 with Doncaster Rovers. In another local game, Stevenage won 1-0 at Peterborough, before another goalless draw, with Wigan Athletic, and then a 1-0 loss to Cardiff City at home. It was a run of seven games in which Stevenage only scored twice.
A return to form came in the shape of a 3-1 away win at Stockport County, followed by a 2-2 draw at home to Burton Albion. On Boxing Day, Stevenage drew 0-0 at Wimbledon, and then lost on the 29th, 2-1, at Cardiff.
The Gaffer
Stevenage are managed by Alex Revell. The former forward started his career at Cambridge United, and he had a long career, playing for the likes of Brighton, Southend, Leyton Orient, Rotherham, Northampton and others. His last club as a player was Stevenage, where he transitioned into coaching, and was given the manager’s job near the end of the 2029/20 season, before it was curtailed.
Revell continued in the job until November 2021, when he was sacked. It did not take long before he was back coaching in the academy, eventually getting promoted to a first-team coaching role, then taking over the top job again when Steve Evans moved on.
The Squad
The most recognisable name in the Stevenage squad is Jordan Houghton (below). The 30-year-old has been a regular in Stevenage’s midfield since leaving Argyle in the summer. He played 174 times for Argyle in his spell with the club, for the last four seasons, having had a ten-game loan spell at Home Park in 2016.
Dan Kemp is likely to play ahead of Houghton, in an attacking midfield role, and will be a threat. Kemp has two goals, and is a noted set-piece taker. Turning pro at West Ham, it took until a move to Orient for Kemp to get going, and he has since played for Milton Keynes Dons, with loans at Hartlepool and Swindon, before moving to Stevenage in the summer of 2024.
Stevenage’s leading goalscorer is Devonian Jamie Reid. Born in Torquay, and attending school in Ashburton, Reid came through Exeter’s ranks, but made little impact. It was a series of loans at Torquay, followed by a permanent move to Plainmoor, that launched his career. A prolific scorer for the Gulls, he moved from there to Mansfield, and then on to Stevenage in 2021, for whom he has now played over 200 games. He has 12 caps for Northern Ireland, and has scored two goals.
Previous Meetings
Argyle and Stevenage were last in the same division in 2019/20. The Greens won 2-1 in both fixtures, with Byron Moore and Niall Canavan on the scoresheet in the home game, and Moore and Ryan Hardie getting the goals on the road. In fact, Argyle have won the last five league encounters between the teams.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their green home kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with the Pre-Match Show, which starts at 2.30pm, with Charlie Price alongside Ian Stonebridge. They will then hand over to the stadium for live commentary from Rob McNichol and former Argyle winger Garry Nelson.
Match passes to watch this game are available overseas. In the UK & Ireland, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+. CLICK HERE for more information.
