Stevenage manager says poor surfaces and conditions are not conducive to playing it out from the back

Graham Westley says this is the time of year for battling performances and grinding out results after seeing his Stevenage side do just that at Carlisle United.

Boro went to Brunton Park on Saturday on the back of three wins and two draws from their previous five matches, and a workmanlike performance in windy conditions saw them secure a goalless draw to add another point to their season’s tally.

Speaking afterwards, Westley said he was pleased with his side’s points return in recent matches adding that at this time of the season lots of clubs simply have to ‘battle for their points’.

“I think they were very difficult conditions out there, and I think that affected the way the game was played,” Westley said.

“To put your foot on the ball and to try and pass it was very difficult. It was windy, it was bobbly. As a back player, if you’re trying to play out from the back and wanting to receive things it’s not the time of the year really to pay that kind of football.

“You did have to bypass midfield a little bit, try and get seconds and play in their half.

“I think both sides played in a similar way, tried to feed their two wide players and look to disrupt the centre-halves with difficult balls at the back of them.

“It was that kind of game. You see them throughout the league on these sorts of surfaces, in these types of conditions at this time of year it was a typical game of football.

“You have to battle for your points, you have to earn your clean sheets and you have to be on top of your set plays to win these games.

“Would I have taken three wins and three draws in six? Absolutely.

“I would have put my money on that and I would certainly have come away with 12 points from six games as a reaction.

“It’s now six home games and four away games left but to be unbeaten in the away games we’ve had is a strong return from the lads.”