On the back of three wins in a row and an unbeaten start to the season, Darren Sarll has stressed the importance of maintaining that form going into Saturday’s game at home to Lincoln City.
The last two of those wins came on the road and Sarll says that those victories came at something of a cost, as knocks to Whelpdale, Godden and Newton mean all three could miss out.
“The last two away performances and results have not come without sacrifice. The great thing is that the players are willing to do that – put themselves on the line.
“Physically it took a toll in the early stages of the week but we are thoroughly delighted with the players sacrifice, commitment and their willingness to get those two really important wins on the board away from home.”
When asked about Lincoln’s obvious threat from set-plays, Darren Sarll says his team are well equipped for the challenge but that Danny Cowley’s side will have much more to offer.
“The facts are that Newport was the last time we gave away a set play goal, the first game of season.
“I think Joe Martin spoke about it in his post-match at Cheltenham - we have been pretty decent from set plays and the threat from them.
“I think Lincoln should quite rightly pose a threat, on more than one instance. It is a big football club - they had just shy of 10,000 there the other day at home to Luton.
“So they should pose a threat to Stevenage. It is a club of real substance and size and there is an expectation for Lincoln to really threaten the top echelons of the league this year.
“I think the threat is more than just to isolate set-plays. There is an expectation for Danny and Nicky to recreate what they did last year.
“I would have thought that their resources financially would fully support that. It is a big game. We have made no bones about it to the players. It is a big test and a big performance is required.”
With Michael Bostwick returning to the Lamex Stadium tomorrow, Sarll has urged the fans not to be too friendly and to help create an electric atmosphere in support of his players.
“Michael was a really good player for us and quite rightly deserves an appreciation for his time spent here, but this club has got to move on.
“I like to think the club is bigger than any individual - whether you see Morison, George Boyd, Lawrie Wilson, any of those that have been within the ranks and played higher.
“It was very similar when Mark Roberts came back with Cambridge. There was probably a little bit too much attention for an opponent or what is the enemy. He is not a friend, he is not a colleague, he is the opponent.
“We have got to make sure that at the Lamex, we let their supporters know that he doesn't play in red and white for Stevenage, he plays in red and white for Lincoln.
“It is important we get behind our players and get behind our new legends to be. It is important we get behind our key and influential players because we are certainly going to need the crowd.
“Lincoln are going to bring 1000 plus so we need to make sure that the atmosphere we create as a football club is far greater than the opponent's.”
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