One of the most abrasive and argumentative managers in the Football League, usually found deafening fourth officials up and down the country, has found his groove again. This time Steve Evans is working wonders in League Two, with a club that seems perfectly suited to his methods, and not just because they partially share a name: Stevenage FC.
When he took over in March last year, the club was in disarray. They were 22nd in League Two, had gone nine games without a win and looked destined to lose their Football League status after nine years in the fourth tier. Evans came in and inspired the side to four wins from eight, which was no mean feat and enough to keep their heads above water for another season.
But few expected Evans to inspire anything other than mediocrity this term. Even a mid-table finish would have been a success given they were sixth favourites to go down this term and had a 15.7% chance of relegation according to Infogol.
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Yet Evans has been able to rekindle some of the magic he had in his early days as a manager. At Boston United, Crawley Town and Rotherham United he was a roaring success, taking the Millers from League Two to the Championship in two seasons. The image of him running down the Wembley touchline, hoiking his trousers up as he celebrated Alex Revell’s equaliser, is still one of the most iconic EFL moments of the last decade.
His spell at Leeds United during the crazy Massimo Cellino era was short-lived and he was never popular with the fans, but perhaps Leeds was also a job that was ‘too big’ for him. That is in no way meant to be disrespectful, but more an analysis of what his career has produced.
As we also saw at Peterborough United and Mansfield Town, Evans isn’t suited to being one of the big dogs in the division. His side don’t dominate possession or tear teams apart with slick passing. Instead, he is the perfect manager for the underdog. It’s him and his players against the world, looking to upset the applecart and fight against the favourites.
This year, Stevenage have been exactly that.
Danny Rose, who Evans knew from his time at Mansfield, plays up front with Luke Norris, but one of the main benefits of this Stevenage team is that the goals aren’t just left to the front two, they are shared amongst the entire squad. In fact, those two have five apiece this term, but the top scorer with six is attacking midfielder Jordan Roberts, one of many successful summer signings Evans made to revamp the squad this summer.
And he’s done it without spending a penny on transfer fees. Standout defender Carl Piergianni joined from Oldham Athletic and has made a name for himself as an attacking threat, with four goals this term including the winner against Gillingham. Evans has created a team that dominates from Jake Reeves’ set pieces.
Their dominant back five has seen Boro concede just 17 goals in 24 league matches, but despite being solid they are able to produce clever triangles on the pitch. It would be lazy to describe them as a one-dimensional side despite their physical superiority this season.
What Evans is always so reliant on is leaders. In many ways, he is an old-school manager. All his permanent signings this summer were in the age range of 26 to 34 and he values experience far more than several other managers in League Two. It’s all part of him creating a squad of players who he can fully trust and rely on, and so far it has worked better than even he could have possibly imagined.
They progressed to the Third Round of the FA Cup with wins over Kings Lynn and Gateshead. Premier League side Aston Villa away from home provide the biggest test they are likely to face in many years, but also a contrast in style and personalities of their managers.
In many ways, it depicts the beauty and romance of the FA Cup. On one hand you have the Premier League giants with the stylish and calm four-time Europa League-winning manager Unai Emery. On the other hand you have the abrasive, win-at-all-costs, scream in your face, batter you from set pieces, Steve Evans.
Win or lose this tie, Evans is back playing the role he loves the most at Stevenage: The ultimate underdog.
