Alex Revell says he and the Stevenage squad have made the most of nearly two weeks without a game, following last Saturday’s postponement…
Boro’s Saturday 29th February match against Walsall was called off due a waterlogged pitch, and with a free week this week, the Stevenage Manager says the team have made good use of the time.
“Preparations have been good. It has been really good to have the players for a working week. It was disappointing for the game not to be on but it has allowed us to get some real tactical stuff in and work with the boys, that we haven’t been able to do. All in all it has been a really good week and the boys are ready for Saturday now.”
Stevenage travel to second-placed Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, who have won 12 of their 18 home league games this season. Despite the formidable record, Revell says that he and his squad aren’t intimidated.
“As a player there is no better reward than going to a top of the table team and getting a win. Let’s not beat around the bush, we want to go there and win. I think we are in really good shape from what we have done over the past few days and I allowed the players to make sure that when they come in on Monday they are mentally ready for what’s ahead, we are going to have six games within a month and it is going to be a really important month.
“They have come in energised; they are ready for the challenge ahead and there is no better place to start than at Crewe to send out a message that we mean business.”
The time without a match has also allowed some much-needed injured players to get closer to fitness, such as Diaguely Dabo and Club Captain Scott Cuthbert.
Another name who will soon be in contention is Danny Newton, who hasn’t played since September due to a second injury-disrupted season at the Club.
Newton has scored 24 goals for Stevenage since his 2017 arrival and Revell says that his pending return is much anticipated.
“Scotty and Dabo were both outside running today which is great and Danny Newton trained with us today so we will have to look at where he is at in terms of his fitness.
“He has been out a long, long time ago and that is something we have to remember. Obviously he is desperate to get back because that is his character and that is what we all love about Danny Newton, but we have got to be careful with him.
“We all know what Danny Newton brings - his energy, his commitment, his desire and goals. They are all words that make me excited and they are exactly how I want the team to play.
“He has been a really popular figure not only in the dressing room but with the fans and I know he is someone that will have a real big, big impact between now and the end of the season.”
With nine weeks and 11 games remaining in the season, Boro have it all to do if they are to make up the ground needed in-order to retain their EFL status. Alex Revell says it’s a challenge to be relished.
“It is a big challenge and everybody knows it but there is no better feeling that overcoming those challenges. That is where players make history, make a name for themselves and become legends.
“We don’t want it be in the situation but we are, and now we have to get out of it. We have got 11 games to overcome what has happened in the past. The players are desperate to put right the wrongs of what’s happened in the past. We have got to go and show it now.”
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