Mark Sampson admitted that Saturday’s win over Morecambe was one of huge importance, as Stevenage leap-frogged their opponents to move off the Sky Bet League Two basement…
Boro were made to wait for the all-important goal as Scott Cuthbert headed home with less than 10 minutes to go and Sampson was full of praise for the way his players persevered.
“Of course, it is a big three points. Today, I think everyone knew, was all about the result. Sometimes in football, in the season or a tournament, you have got to find a way to win. Huge credit to the players, the supporters, all the staff and everyone connected to the football club to get ourselves over the line today.”
“It did not matter about the performance level, it did not matter about anything else really. It just mattered about getting three points. I am really proud of everyone at the football club today.”
Although Stevenage were the side in the ascendency throughout the match, worsening weather conditions and a lack of confidence at times meant for a nervy afternoon.
“I thought we were pretty much dominant throughout to be honest,” Sampson said. “It was always going to be one of those occasions. In these highly pressurised games, you have that moment of self-doubt, especially in the situation we have been in. which, in those clinical moments, make all the difference.
“When you have got to be decisive and you have got to be free, you have got to back your gut decision. We just had that moment of hesitation, that moment of doubt which meant we did not maybe release the ball at the right time, or take on the right shot, or pass when we should have shot, shot when we should have passed. All of those little things were always going to happen today. The important thing was to get over the line as I said.”
Under Sampson’s stewardship, results have improved as three wins, one draw and one defeat from the last five games testifies. With huge games coming up against the likes of Scunthorpe, Oldham and Walsall, Sampson says that he is pleased with the direction that his team are heading in.
“I am really delighted we have done that and put ourselves in a much healthier position. We know where we are in the table. All we can do is get better from where we were. I have got to give huge credit to the players and the staff again. Things are moving forward for us.
“In the form table, we are moving in the right direction. That is all we can do, we were in a very difficult spot. Let us not beat around the bush, we were not in a good place. Getting a couple of home wins on the board, being more resilient and more difficult to beat away from home, it feels like a team now that can be very competitive in this division.”
---
Subscribe to iFollow for only £4.49 a month & gain full access to all official videos, including all interviews, full match highlights and also live match commentary.
To find out more about our video service, please click here.
