After plenty of speculation during the week about the possible playing comeback of Teddy Sheringham, the manager today explained how his registration for Wednesday’s Herts Senior Cup game was filed weeks ago and only as a last resort.
As it turned out, none of the management team were needed and Boro ran out 3-0 winners against Welwyn Garden City.
“At the time we had a lot of injuries and we knew the FA Youth cup game was going to be one day before; we changed it two days before just so that we would have more players available really.
“It was looking like that we weren’t going to have a team and knowing the pitch wasn’t going to be the best myself, Kev and Darren would all register just to help out if we needed bodies.
“We weren’t needed and we ended up putting out quite a strong team filled with youth team players that did very well which was pleasing to see in the end.”
Saturday’s FA Cup tie sees Stevenage paired against high-flying Gillingham of League One and the gaffer says that although it is a tough draw, it is one that excites him.
“What a fantastic game though, especially after our downfall last week and the way we played. This is a game that we know we have got to be up for otherwise it could happen again.
“We need to be full throttle, attacking the game and when you know you are playing against a higher club in the football league you know that you have got to play your best to get anything out of it.
“I see it as a very exciting game for us and still one that we can win.
“We are still looking for a consistency in our football and this is another game for us to be put on the pedestal - to be criticised or to get the acclaim. We need to be performing so we get that consistency, so we get that confidence to take into our next league game.
“The financial implications for the club are massive, I understand that. We need to go further in the cup which is why we will be trying to win it with all our mite.”
The manager knows Gills boss, Justin Edinburgh and his assistant, Dave Kerslake well having played with both over the years as a child and at Spurs.
Teddy says the Justin Edinburgh of today is very different to the one knew as a player.
“I could put Justin under a little bit of pressure here and say I probably wouldn’t have thought he was going to be a manager because he was always mucking about!
"That is one for his players to think about." He added in jest.
“I know him very well, know what to expect from Justin and his teams so hopefully we will be very well prepared and I’ll give him a warm welcome.”