Stevenage have confirmed their promotion last weekend, after a 2-0 victory over Grimsby town and manager Steve Evans will enjoy the break knowing that his team will be in League One for the first time in nine years, but the attention now turns to which players will or won’t be staying next season.
The 2022/23 season has been a major success for the club, turning from relegation candidates to promotion winners. The main source of points has been via the clubs home form, with Stevenage having made the Lamex Stadium a fortress taking 53 points from a possible 69.
The turnaround in success has been made possible by the success that the club enjoyed during last summer’s transfer window. This includes bringing in players with plenty of experience such as Dan Sweeney who won League Two in 2021-22, and Carl Piergianni, as well as quality loans with the likes of Taye Ashby-Hammond and Alex Gilbey.
The season started really well for the club, with a five game unbeaten run to start the season and a seven match home winning run. The season also includes a run to the third round of the league Cup for the first time and to the 4th round of the FA cup including a famous 2-1 comeback win against Aston Villa that will live long in the Boro memory.
After the loss against Stoke City and the loss of first choice Goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond, Stevenage stumbled in form but after the 1-0 win vs Swindon they knew a win vs Grimsby would clinch promotion and that day will live long in the memory for players, staff and the fans for a very long time.
Once the curtain comes down on a famous season for Stevenage, Steve Evans and his staff will need to look at his squad and decide who will he keep and who will he let go.
Here is my opinion on who he will keep and who he will let go.
Taye Ashby-Hammond- Keep
Although he has been out since the 4th round FA Cup defeat to Stoke City in late January, Hammond was a key part of the side that got Stevenage into the position to be able to get promoted after keeping 12 clean sheets in 26 games. If possible, Stevenage should look to either sign him permanently or get him back for another year at the club on loan.
Luther James-Wildin – keep
Wildin was the one to secure promotion for the League two side after his first goal in two years and has improved drastically under Steve Evans. Therefore, he should stay for his 6th season at the club.
Max clark- Offload
Max Clark has greatly improved in the last six months but there has been times he has been caught out and cost Stevenage points and in a higher division that could become even more costly.
Carl Piergianni- keep
Piergianni has been the best player for the club this year and was also nominated for EFL League Two Player of the Year having scored seven goals as a defender. He’s been the lynchpin to the Stevenage defence and is a must keep.
Dan Sweeney – keep
Sweeney is enjoying a second promotion in a row after winning the League Two title with Forest Green Rovers last season and will be itching to finally play in League One and with Stevenage having one of the best defences in the division this season, the club will want to keep the defenders that got them there.
Terence Vancooten – Keep
Struggled with injuries since Stoke City in the FA Cup but when he has played he has been terrific with his pace and his ball playing skills which will be key to keeping Stevenage in League One next season.
Alex Gilbey – keep
He has been excellent keeping Stevenage ticking in midfield after joining from Charlton on loan and with his contract up in the summer, one of Stevenage’s first pieces of business in the window has to be to make Gilbey’s deal permanent.
Jake Taylor – Offload
Taylor has failed this season to stake his claim to be a regular starter this season and with the clubs promotion there’s no reason to keep Taylor for League One.
Dean Campbell- Let Go
Campbell has also has be limited to his appearances even after that goal against Aston Villa and they is no reason to why Stevenage would want him back.
Jake Reeves- Let go
This is a tough one to call, but with Boro playing in a higher division and Reeves not having the experience that other midfielders have in the squad will ultimately be the reason why I think I’d let him go.
Jordan Roberts- Keep
Roberts has been a key part of the Boro attack, scoring 10 and assisting two in League Two and with experience in League One as well it is a no brainer to keep him.
Danny Rose- Let go
Rose has done well this year especially in the latter stages scoring six goals in League Two. However, that would not be good enough for League One and with Stevenage needing a prolific striker next season, Rose will have to make way.
Luke Norris- Let go
This will be hard for the fans as he is a hometown boy him scoring 10 goals this season but again like Rose, they need a more prolific striker next season and Norris will need to make way.
Josh march- keep
Unproven at Stevenage because of the injury he got, but impressed when he got a run in the side and could be useful next season.
Jamie Reid- keep
Having a knack for crucial goals is a great asset for a striker and Reid has done that countless times this season even given the name ‘big goal Reidy’ by the Boro faithful and that will need to be used next season.
Elliott List- Let go
Another very tough call after the ACL injury, however Stevenage have coped well without him and will need a more prolific striker next season.
Kane Smith- keep
Smith has been a great rotational option as well as stepping up to first choice when needed and will challenge Wildin for the starting spot next season.
Michael Bostwick- let go
Another hard one to stay, considering the status of Bostwick nature with the club but his age and pace will hurt Stevenage next year if he stayed.
Jake Forster-Caskey – keep
He has been great since joining in January and with experience of getting promoted from the 3rd tier he will be more crucial next season then the last six months.
Do you agree or disagree?
Click here to check out five League Two players that are worth keeping an eye on this summer!
Good article Owen. You’ve been pretty brutal although I largely agree with you. Might opt to keep Nozza though for his strength, hold up play and passion.