Darren Sarll hopes to get a positive reaction from his players after last weekend’s defeat to Hartlepool.
The manager says everybody was in agreement about the game.
“Saturday was rubbish from start to finish. We haven’t had too many like that but I was disgusted with the performance. The players know, I am not saying anything that the boys don’t know.
“They were as disappointed as I was. It was a very, very solemn and quiet coach on the way back.
“We came in Sunday and spoke long and hard about it.“
Freezing temperatures in Stevenage have made for a difficult week of preparation but Sarll believes they can use it as a positive.
“We wanted to make a big point this week or reminding the players what we are, what we worked hard to be, how hard we had to work to get around that play-off zone and how hard we are going to have to work now.
“We have hardly been able to train because of the frost, so that has been challenging.
“My trade is football coaching and I want to be out on the grass but this week has been more theoretic and analytically based.
“The players are physically in great shape, great condition and we just wanted to make sure we pressed those emotional triggers to make sure mentally they are firing.”
Connor Ogilvie returned to the club this week after enjoying a successful loan spell with us last season and the manager couldn’t be happier to welcome him back.
“Kgosi has done fantastic to play the amount of games and minutes that he has done without a pre-season and I don’t know if our supporters are aware of this, but his injury past is horrific for a young lad.
“In terms of the theory behind his role and responsibilities at left-back, Connor has slipped in this week brilliantly. I am so pleased he is back.
“He will give Kgosi competition which will drive up performances. He will give us that balance whilst Kgosi is away and when he is fit, they can throw their hats in the ring and we will see which one comes out on top.
“There is no transition for the player. He knows me, I haven’t changed, he knows exactly how I want to play and he just slips back in."