Boro will have to be at their best, says Westley

Stevenage will have to be at their very best if they want to take any points away from Pirelli Stadium on Monday when they take on Sky Bet League Two leaders Burton Albion, according to manager Graham Westley.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Albion are five points clear at the top of the table having won seven of their last 10 league games. In their last outing, they beat Tranmere Rovers 4-1 away from home.

Boro will be looking to bounce back from last Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Dagenham and Redbridge when a ‘ludicrous’ decision from the referee handed Wayne Burnett’s side all three points, ending Stevenage’s eight-game unbeaten run.

Recent history is on Westley’s side. His team won the reverse fixture at the Lamex Stadium 1-0 via an 84th minute own goal from Ian Sharps.

“It was an undeserved win, if I’m honest, said Westley. “On that day we had to play to a top level and we only managed to edge it. It’ll be a tough test but you have to come through them.”

He added: “I’m absolutely not surprised they’re up there when you look at the players they’ve got - Lucas Akins, Phil Edwards, John Mousinho, Stuart Beavon. There’s a lot of lads I’m familiar with – they’ve got good quality players, good management and they’re top for a reason; they deserve to be.”

Westly also praised the work of Hasselbaink, who, in his first full season, has the Brewers as favourites for promotion to League One.

“We talk to players about how a manager works and the vibe coming in our direction is he is working them very hard,” explained Westley. “You only need to see them running late in games to know that the fitness aspect is a feature of what they are.

“He’s done exceptionally well and it’s not going to be easy for us.”