Boro skipper impressed by record signing’s first week with new team

RECORD signing Craig Reid is looking ‘very sharp’ in training, according to Boro skipper Mark Roberts.

Reid was signed from Newport County before the transfer deadline passed on Monday and watched Stevenage’s 2-2 draw with Gillingham on Tuesday evening but he is expected to play some part in Boro’s home game against Accrington Stanley tomorrow (Saturday).

Speaking about his new team-mate, Roberts told The Comet that Reid was a ‘great finisher’ who has already fit right into the squad.

“He’s very sharp,” Roberts said. “It’s a fantastic signing from the gaffer and another indication of where the club wants to go to.

“He’s the biggest signing by the club and you can tell straight away in training he’s got quality – his sharpness, movement.

“I’ve played against him in pre-season and I’m very impressed, he’s a great finisher and I think he’s going to be a fantastic signing.

“He’s settled in quickly, he’s a confident lad and he’s made himself known in the dressing room.

“His signing shows the club wants to keep moving forward. There is competition for places all over the pitch and in the last couple of games where we’ve had a few injuries players are stepping in and the club is a good place to be.”

Boro host Accy in the fourth of four consecutive home league matches, with Graham Westley’s men having taken seven points from the previous three games.

The last time the two teams met, in November, Accrington ran out 1-0 victors courtesy of a Sean McConville goal, while Boro had a Chris Holroyd strike ruled out.

This time, Roberts says, Boro will be looking to take all three points.

“We know what to expect from them,” Roberts said. “We were disappointed not to come away with any points last time and we were disappointed with parts of the performance, especially in the first half.

“I know some of the players from my time up there and they’re a good side with excellent players but we need to be at our best to post another win.”

After Saturday Stevenage face a run of four away games in five matches, beginning with a trip to Bury on Tuesday evening.

The matches are all against teams above Boro in League 2, but within nine points of Westley’s side and Roberts hopes a good set of results will propel his side into play-off contention.

“I said before those (home) games how important it was to post the points to get up the league table and we’ve done that, so if we can get another three on Saturday and a win it will set us up for the away games we’ve got coming up.

“We’ve got some long trips against some difficult teams around us in the table and it gives us a great opportunity to make ground up on those teams ahead of us.

“It’s been difficult with us not playing (in the league last Saturday due to Boro’s FA Cup match with Reading) and the teams around us playing but playing these teams around us gives us a chance to play a few six pointers and to close the gap.”