A Boro fan's views ahead of the game

Ahead of Saturday's game against Stevenage at Adams Park, we caught up with fcboro editor Matt and asked him to answer a few questions for us.


How have you enjoyed your first season in the fooball league?

It's been good overall. The biggest thing I have enjoyed this season is visiting all the different grounds because after years in the Conference, it does get a bit tedious visiting the same grounds every year.

Even though I've enjoyed the first season in the football league, I have to say I've lost that buzz I had at the beginning of the campaign. We have 12 games left and hopefully we can play some decent stuff and get some results along the way. A midtable finish looks probable.


What's been your best experience so far?

The best experience in the league I think has been some of the wins on the road. A double over Barnet is always nice, but wins against Port Vale and Lincoln (our first away win in the league) have been particular highlights.


What's been the worst?

There have been a few low points too. Hereford the other night being one of them. Overall, I'd say the worst experience of the season was losing away at Accrington. It was a freezing cold day and we were awful.


Which teams have impressed you the most?

I'm not just saying this, but Wycombe were the best team I have seen at Broadhall Way this season and that's including Newcastle and Reading. The other team that has impressed me in League 2 this season was Bury. They are the only team to have really hammered us this season when they beat us 3-0 at Gigg Lane. Other than that I would say Torquay.


Boro are currently 8 points behind Gillingham with 2 games in hand, are your fans still hoping for a late run to the play-offs?

When we win a game, we think we're going to make a late push for the play-offs. When we lose, we begin to look over our shoulder again! The joys of mid-table mediocrity. Realistically though, we aren't good enough to make the play-offs this season. We've improved a lot this year, but lack the experience to make a late push for the play-offs. You never know though...


If you don't make it this time, how confident are you that Boro will kick-on next season?

Pretty confident. The aim this year was always to give it a go and see how high we can finish. I think we will now be aiming for a top 10 finish which would be a great effort for our first season. If the manager can get in a couple of decent strikers and creative players then we have a chance next year because our defence is up there with the best of them in this division.


Fans like to have a moan, but you have the best defensive record in the division, so do yours only complain about the strikers?

No. They complain about everything. The strikers have got most of the stick this year, but they've all had their share of criticism. Scott Laird seems to have been our 'scapegoat' so far this year, but to be fair, he hasn't had one of his better seasons.


Who has been your player of the season so far?

Jon Ashton without a shadow of a doubt. He's been an absolute rock at the back and is the main reason behind our superb defensive record. It's possible he may miss out against Wycombe with an injury, which should be a huge boost to the likes of Rendell and Pittman.


How well has John Mousinho done?

Superbly. Mous' would be my 2nd choice for player of the season. I like him because he keeps things ticking over and plays the ball on the floor, unlike a lot of our players. He's been Westley's best signing this year in my opinion.


Take a punt on the top-three at the end of the season?

Chesterfield are running away with the league now. I think Bury and yourselves will follow the Spireites up into League 1.


Now have a go at the play-off contenders?

Rotherham will have to go through the play-offs again I think. They're a bit too inconsistent to go up automatically. Shrewsbury will join them. I think Port Vale will be the team to drop out with Torquay nipping in. Gillingham will also be there as well I think.


What's your prediction for Saturday's game?

We're so unpredictable. I never thought we'd beat Port Vale or Crewe, but we did. However, if Westley continues to play a defensive minded side without the injured Ashton, then we'll get turned over comfortably. 2-0 Wycombe.


Thanks a lot Matt.

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