Swansea’s Spanish Test: A Look at Stevenage

As Swans fans, our excitement is building for the new season, and what better way to kick things off than a pre-season clash in the Spanish sun against Stevenage Borough? While they might not be a familiar foe to some, it’s always good to get an early scouting report on any opposition, especially one that could potentially cause an upset. Let’s dive into what we can expect from Alex Revell’s side this weekend.

Stevenage had a respectable 2024-2025 campaign, their second consecutive season in League One, which saw them finish a solid 14th. It was a season of consolidation, demonstrating they’ve found their feet at this level after promotion. They had some strong results at home, including wins against Barnsley and Wrexham, showing they’re not to be underestimated on their own patch. They also had a decent run in the EFL Trophy, reaching the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Birmingham City. Their away form, however, was a little patchier, something they’ll undoubtedly be looking to improve upon in the upcoming season. While they weren’t in the promotion race, they steered well clear of the relegation dogfight, which for a club of their size, is a success in itself.

Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 season, Stevenage fans are understandably optimistic, yet realistic. The general consensus from what I’ve gathered is that they’re hoping for continued progression and ideally a push towards the top half of League One. They’ve established themselves, and now the aim is to build on that foundation. There’s a quiet ambition for a play-off challenge, but without the pressure that comes with being one of the division’s bigger spenders. They seem to value stability and measured growth, which is a sensible approach for a club like theirs.

Their summer transfer activity has certainly caught the eye, with Alex Revell bringing in some interesting additions to bolster his squad. They’ve been active, particularly in attacking areas, aiming to increase their goal threat. Most notably, they’ve signed forward Beryly Lubala from Wycombe Wanderers, a player with over 160 EFL appearances and a decent goal contribution record. Joining him is Phoenix Patterson, a winger who will add pace and creativity. Defensively, they’ve brought in Jasper Pattenden, also from Wycombe, at right-back, and Saxon Earley at left-back, suggesting a focus on strengthening the wide defensive areas. In midfield, they’ve added Jordan Houghton, a defensive midfielder, and Chem Campbell, an attacking midfielder, which indicates a desire for more control and penetration from the middle of the park. It looks like a balanced transfer window, addressing areas where they might have lacked depth or quality last season.

Three to Watch

1. Beryly Lubala: The new signing from Wycombe is undoubtedly their most eye-catching acquisition this summer. He’s a versatile forward who can play across the front line and has a knack for finding the back of the net. After scoring 12 goals for Wycombe last season, he’ll be keen to hit the ground running at Stevenage and prove his worth. His movement and finishing could cause our defence problems if we’re not switched on.
2. Jordan Houghton: The experienced defensive midfielder arriving from Plymouth could be a crucial cog in Stevenage’s midfield. His ability to break up play, shield the back four, and dictate the tempo will be vital for them. He’s a tough tackler and an intelligent reader of the game, and we’ll need to work hard to get past him in the middle of the park.
3. Carl Piergianni: The experienced centre-back is a rock at the heart of their defence and a true leader. At 34, he brings a wealth of experience and is excellent in the air, both defensively and offensively. He scored in their pre-season match against Rotherham at the end of last season, highlighting his threat from set-pieces. Our forwards will have a physical battle on their hands against him.

Prediction

Pre-season games are always tricky to predict, especially with both teams likely to rotate heavily and experiment with formations and new players. However, given our own quality and the fact we’ll be looking to make a statement ahead of the Championship season, I’m optimistic. Stevenage will be well-drilled and physically robust, but our attacking flair should ultimately prove too much for them.

Stevenage Borough 1 – 3 Swansea City

It’ll be a good test for us in the Spanish heat, and a valuable opportunity for the gaffer to fine-tune tactics and for new signings to integrate. Hopefully, we’ll see a strong performance and come away with a morale-boosting win!