Steve Evans explains Stevenage player situation after weekend snub | OneFootball

Over the weekend, Stevenage defeated National League side King’s Lynn Town FC 3-0 in the second round of the FA Cup without including Saxon Earley in the 11 against the non-league club.

Earley, who arrived at Stevenage on a season-long loan from the Championship’s Norwich City in the summer, has had consistent playing time in Steve Evans’ team until Saturday’s match. Earley has made 21 appearances with 12 starts in all competitions this season, featuring at centre-back, left-back, left midfielder and in a central midfield role for The Boro.

After Stevenage’s win over the weekend, manager Steve Evans offered reassurances for Earley after not playing him in their FA Cup victory. The Stevenage boss heaped praise onto his young defender to the Eastern Daily Press: “He’s been tremendous… He’s a kid. I think he’s had a lot more game time than we probably thought he was going to get when he first came on loan, but he’s earned that.

“Today’s selection was just a judgment call based on experience, away at a non-league ground with a passionate home support. But Saxon has been superb for us, and Norwich, with Smudger [Norwich City manager Dean Smith] and the team there, have been fantastic with us.

“When [Earley] first came to us, nobody doubted his enthusiasm, his aggression, and his strength. But they wanted him to have a little bit more quality on the ball, and that’s getting better every week.

“Saxon started last Saturday at Grimsby, and was one of our best players. It was just about the occasion today, the experience needed to get through a cup tie.”

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The Verdict

If you are a fan of Saxon Earley, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Since arriving on loan from Norwich City, he has become a mainstay in the Stevenage lineup that currently sits second in the EFL League Two table, seeking promotion into the third tier. He has showcased his abilities at multiple positions, allowing Steve Evans to be malleable when inserting Earley into his lineup given that he can play in the back or at midfield.

The plan appears to be working with Earley and Stevenage. He is playing consistently and was only left out of the lineup because they were playing at a non-league ground in the FA Cup. Norwich City and Stevenage supporters should be excited as Earley is becoming a fabulous player at the senior level.