Alex Revell has been speaking ahead of Stevenage's League One fixture against Luton Town, with the Stevenage manager keen to keep the momentum going after a remarkable run of results that has included a 5-1 demolition of Barnsley.

A local rivalry with league implications

Stevenage and Luton are separated by fewer than 20 miles of the A1(M), which lends any meeting between the two clubs an edge that the table alone cannot fully explain. For both sets of supporters, bragging rights in Hertfordshire matter independently of where the clubs sit come May. But of course where they sit come May matters too, and a win for either side would carry genuine weight in the third tier's increasingly congested mid-table.

Luton arrive having had a difficult run of it. The Hatters were on the wrong end of a 5-2 thumping at Mansfield not long ago, and manager Jake Wilshere publicly apologised to supporters in the aftermath. Their 2-0 defeat to Stockport was another result that left questions unanswered, even if Richard McNulty argued the visitors deserved more from that game. A tactical switch to a back three has been explored, with the coaching staff clearly trying different configurations to find stability.

Revell, speaking to Three Counties Radio ahead of the match, was measured in the way he tends to be. The Stevenage manager has consistently resisted the temptation to get carried away, even when results have been emphatic. After the Barnsley win he spoke about the squad being in a good place, and that appears to remain his public position going into this one.

Stevenage's squad taking shape

It is worth noting how much activity there has been at Broadhall Way this season. Revell has overseen a significant reshaping of his squad: Matt Smith joined on a free, Besian Turhan came in on loan from Basaksehir, Villa teenager Gianluca Broggio has arrived on loan, and West Ham defender Joe Casey has also come in. Against that, the club lost goalkeeper Tomas Marschall to Millwall and allowed striker Jamie Reid to move to Reading and midfielder Jack Taylor to join Exeter City on loan.

The net effect is a group with genuine variety. Revell has more options than he did at this point last season, and that depth matters when a congested fixture list starts to bite, as it always does in League One once September arrives.

What to expect from Luton

Luton have also been busy in the loan market, bringing in players from Ipswich, Manchester United and Tottenham during the window. The talent on paper is not the issue; it is how quickly those players gel, and whether Wilshere can settle on a system that makes the best of them. The shift to a back three, analysed in this corner recently, suggests the coaching staff are still working through those questions.

Sandal's knee surgery, reported earlier this month, is a blow to their defensive resources and may push Luton towards a more cautious approach at the Lamex.

The bigger picture

Neither club is in the promotion picture at this stage, but equally neither should be looking nervously over its shoulder at the relegation places. What this fixture offers is exactly the kind of local contest that League One does particularly well: two clubs with genuine histories, a short journey for both sets of fans, and enough riding on the result to make it matter.

Revell will know that Stevenage's recent form, particularly the Barnsley result, will have caught Luton's attention. Managing that expectation, keeping his squad grounded, is arguably as important as any tactical preparation. On the evidence of his public comments so far this season, he appears well aware of that.

Kick-off at the Lamex Stadium is on Wednesday evening.

Frequently asked

When are Stevenage playing Luton Town?
The League One fixture between Stevenage and Luton Town is on Wednesday, 10 September 2026, at the Lamex Stadium in Stevenage.
What has Alex Revell said ahead of the Luton match?
Revell previewed the match in an interview with Three Counties Radio, remaining measured in his assessment and continuing the cautious tone he has maintained throughout the season, even after big results.
How have Stevenage and Luton been performing this season?
Stevenage have shown real quality, including a 5-1 away win at Barnsley. Luton have had a rockier run, suffering heavy defeats to Mansfield and Stockport, and are still searching for consistency under Jake Wilshere.