Opposition Lowdown: Alex Revell’s Playoff-Chasing Stevenage
Reading hit the road again this Saturday to take on fellow playoff chasers Stevenage. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.
Carl Piergianni of Stevenage / | Getty Images Form Stevenage finished 14th in League One last season, after 15 wins, 12 draws and 19 losses. This marks their third straight season in League One, following their promotion in 2023. They are firmly in the hunt for the playoffs, currently sitting eighth in the league, two places and one point behind Reading, but with a game in hand.
Their recent form has been relatively mixed, having seen three wins and three losses in their last six league games. They come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 1-0 away defeat to Plymouth Argyle in midweek. Reading beat Stevenage 1-0 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium back in November, after an early first-half strike from midfielder Charlie Savage.
The boss Alex Revell: Revell was appointed Stevenage manager on a permanent basis in May 2024, having served a spell as caretaker manager, following the departure of Steve Evans to Rotherham United. Revell had a 20-year playing career as a striker, representing the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Rotherham, Cardiff City and Northampton Town. He ended his playing days at Stevenage and stayed at the club in a coaching role in their youth setup.
Revell had his first taste of first-team management in 2020, however his first season was cut short due to Covid. He guided the Boro to 14th place in League Two the following season before his sacking in November 2021. He rejoined the club two months later, taking on another role in their youth setup, before being promoted to Evans’ first-team coaching team.