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Stevland Angus In Focus

Posted on: Wed 17 Nov 2004

Sent off in the last minute of the match against Torquay United two weeks ago (13th September 2003), Stev Angus popped up with his first ever goal to score the last minute winner at Boston four days later, and he hopes to get on the score sheet more often in future.

The classy defender also celebrated his 23rd birthday during that eventful four day period, and sums up the highs and lows for us.

"On the Saturday I was really disappointed to be sent off because I thought I'd been playing well this season and obviously now I'm missing an important home game against Mansfield.

"The sending-off itself was a silly thing to do because it was two really stupid bookings; the first one for throwing the ball away, which was more petulant than anything and that's the card that really got me in trouble because the second one was more of an accident. So I'm disappointed about that and missing the game on Saturday.

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"I thought the referee could have maybe just had a word on the second one," he adds. "With just a minute or two to go it doesn't matter, the game was 1-1 and the lad wasn't going anywhere - I think there were three or four people behind the ball. He knew I'd been booked already and he could have just had a word with me but I think the referees have been very picky so far."

Turning to his winning goal at Boston, Stev smiles, "I went from my low to a high in the space of four days. It was amazing - my first ever goal - and I honestly didn't even know what to do. For a second I was stood there thinking 'has it actually gone in?' and didn't know what to do.

"Luke took the corner and missed out a few people, then John Turner headed it back and I just happened to be on the six yard line - I don't know how I got there! - and the ball was coming towards me. I thought all I had to do was direct it towards the goal and hope for the best, and the next thing it was in! It was all in slow-motion for me."

Not sure how to begin celebrating his first ever goal, Stev ended up on the bottom of a pile of celebrating U's players.

"When I started to run I looked up and I was running towards their fans, so I veered off to the right because I didn't want to upset anyone," he recalls. "As I was running a couple of the lads started to catch me up so I thought I'd just fall over and they all piled on top and I ended up stuck at the bottom. I've never scored before so it was a whole new experience and a really good feeling."

Now he has set his sights on scoring more goals, and thinks his recent change of role from centre half to right back may help in that quest.

"This season I've played right back most of the time and I've got into a few advanced positions and I've had a few shots, so hopefully I can get a bit more play in and around the opposition's box and maybe nick another one," he says.

"I quite enjoyed being match winner and because it was the first one it was a bit special and the lads all came over and it was a real 'team' thing, so I liked that."

The goal was priceless, coming in the 89th minute to give United a first away win of the season and only the second of the campaign before last week's 3-0 win at Cheltenham, and Stev is delighted to have scored such an important goal.

"The win took a lot of pressure off the Gaffer and off the players as well. If anyone had said to us we'd go seven games with one defeat, at the beginning of the season we'd have bitten their hand off. Obviously because there've been a lot of draws we haven't been winning and people have been saying it's a slow start.

"Had we drawn or lost on Wednesday things could have escalated, and it does get to the players - as with Bimmo's incident the other week - so to finally get that win was a good feeling and hopefully we can keep going in the same vein."

Stev joined United on a free transfer after West Ham released him in the summer of 2000. John Beck snapped him up after a pre-season trial, which he famously earned by claiming to be a left back and acquitting himself well in that role during a trial game.

Although he soon established himself at the heart of the U's defence and has made over 100 appearances in that role, Stev admits that the move to right back has worked out quite well so far. His change of position, and the recall of Andy Duncan to the centre of the defence, saw an instant upturn in United's fortunes.

"At the moment it seems to be working out well," he says (speaking last week). "Initially, when the gaffer told me he wanted me to play right back because Tanny was going through a bad time, I was a bit apprehensive. Obviously I'd do it for the team, but I wasn't too sure because as a centre half I wouldn't be playing in my best position.

"But Andy's come in and done a really good job, and I've done my job on the right hand side and it's allowed me to go forward and I think it's allowed me to express myself more."

John Taylor's aim of tightening up the defence has been realised so far this season, and Stev believes a lot of the credit for that is due to summer signing Mark Venus, the former Wolves and Ipswich defender.

"I think it's a big achievement to get the defence sorted out, and I think 'Veno' (Mark Venus) has made a big difference," says Stev. "He's come in and organised it very well.

"I've been here two seasons and I'm now one of the most experienced players at the back, and I've only played 100 games or something like that. I'm still learning myself, but with Veno there and 'Bimmo' (Stuart Bimson) as well, it's a massive help," he concludes.

"The Quick Fire Round"

If you were on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' and had to phone a friend, which teammate would you choose?

None of the lads, so I'd probably pick Brooksie - he knows it all!

Favourite holiday destination, and describe why in one word.

Thailand. Breathtaking.

If you weren't a footballer, what would your job be now?

I'd probably be an architect.

Who do you go to for financial advice?

My parents.

What will you be doing in ten years' time?

Hopefully I'll still be playing, and hopefully in the Premiership.

Who is your best mate in the squad?

I don't really have one, but I hang around with Terry, Justin and Lloyd a bit.

Who has the best dress sense in the squad?

I'd have to say myself!

And who has the worst?

One of the twins - Wozza or Justin.

In a film of your life story who would you want to play you and why?

Probably Denzel Washington because he's a cool dude.

Porsche or Ferrari?

Ferrari.

Indian or Chinese?

Chinese.

Beer or lager?

Neither - I don't drink.

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers.

If you were given tickets for a gig, who would you want to see and why?

Bob Marley, if he was still alive.

Three words your teammates might use to describe you?

Lazy. Friendly. Cool.


*A shorter version of this interview appeared in the programme for the match against Doncaster Rovers on 30th Tuesday 30th September, 2003.

You can hear the full interview with Stev on our U's World multimedia website. Click here for details about U's World.

Previous Featured Players this season:
28Nov03: John Turner
21Nov03
: Luke Guttridge
29Oct03
Stuart Bimson
21Sep03
: Warren Goodhind
21Aug03: Dave Kitson
13Aug03
: Justin Walker


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