Simon Walton on Saturday's win and looking ahead to some crucial games...
Simon Walton praised the team’s spirit after Saturday’s win as all of Boro’s battling qualities were put to the test against Southend.
Deacon’s goal put Boro ahead at half-time but the Shrimpers fought back to take the lead before a tremendous closing to the game saw Boro score three goals to wrap up the points.
“I didn’t see it to be fair (Roarie Deacon’s goal) as I was getting bandaged up but it was a bit of a case of staying in the game. It wasn’t pretty and we would probably say they had the lions share of it in the first half but we dug in, got the goal and unfortunately couldn’t hold on but got there in the end.”
After Barry Corr equalised for Southend just four minutes into the second half, Walton gave away a penalty which gave the Shrimpers the lead.
“I hold my hands up for the second one, it was a rush of blood shall we say but we reacted in the right manner and got a positive result in the end which is all that counts.
“That is twice I have done that now but fortunately for myself it didn’t cost us today but it is still something I have got to cut out.”
After a recent drop in form which saw Boro suffer three defeats in a row, Boro have reacted well winning seven points out of a possible nine. With many lads still missing through injury, Walton says the whole squad are playing their part in a big way.
“That is one thing we have got – we have got good spirit, no matter who plays. I won’t bore you with all the injury spiel again but no matter what team we put out and who puts the shirt on at the minute everyone digs in and today was a prime example of everybody digging in whether to be the starting XI or the subs who came on.”
The next few weeks will see Stevenage face many of the teams competing for promotion and to have any chance of being in the mix, Walton says the formula is simple.
“To be the best you have got to beat the best – we have got all the teams above us coming up and to catch them we have got to beat them to claw points back. We know that, it is plain and simple.
“We have got more than enough in this group of players, quality and spirit wise so we are confident.”
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