Boro boss Graham Westley insists there are still a number of places up for grabs ahead of the Blue Square Premier kick-off after watching his side beat Brighton 2-1 on Saturday. Several members of the 41-year-old s squad pushed themselves to the forefron

Boro boss Graham Westley insists there are still a number of places up for grabs ahead of the Blue Square Premier kick-off after watching his side beat Brighton 2-1 on Saturday.

Several members of the 41-year-old's squad pushed themselves to the forefront of his mind against the League One side in the pre-season friendly with the likes of Stacy Long, Joel Byrom and Lawrie Wilson doing their chances of winning a start against Tamworth on August 8 no harm.

While skipper Mark Roberts, Michael Bostwick and Chris Day are among the first names on the team-sheet, the competition in the Boro squad is such that several positions in the Boro chief's side remain hotly contested.

"One of the ways in which you can keep everybody motivated in a football club is to say that the places are all up for grabs," Westley told The Comet.

"I've put two sides out and there have been a number of players that have started in both games so that speaks for itself.

"You've always got to be open-minded and leave room for somebody to really impress you.

"A lot of very good players put on a very good team performance so those lads are going to take some shifting from the side.

"That's not to say there are not others around the place who are not going to be trying to fight their way in over the coming weeks. There's a healthy competition in the squad that's for sure."

Westley was impressed by the displays of his new signings with Long grabbing the winner midway through the second half after Mitchell Cole had equalised Gary Hart's opener just before the break.

But Westley said he will reserve judgement on all his players until they have proved they can perform to a high level on a consistent basis.

"I thought they all looked nice and bright - it's about consistency. Stacy Long looked really bright and exciting out there.

"Has he got as much energy and enthusiasm when he goes and plays at Cambridge City? That's the question that he needs to answer and he needs to show he has got the desire to go to places like that where the pitch might not be as good and put in a performance.

"They all played some really good football and it was very encouraging.