Barnet v Stevenage: Boro boss says Martin Allen’s teams always show ‘a lot of fight and desire’

Teddy Sheringham says Martin Allen’s teams are the embodiment of their manager - both clever and competitive.

Stevenage travel to the Hive tomorrow (Saturday) on the back of a four-match unbeaten run, following Saturday’s draw with York City.

Their opponents, however, have won just once in the league all season, but Sheringham says his side needs to be very wary of a Barnet backlash.

“They’ve not had the greatest start but any team that Martin Allen puts out you know they’ll have a lot of fight about them and a lot of desire and commitment,” Sheringham said.

“Let’s hope we don’t get the backlash of their not-so-good start. Simple as that.

“They haven’t had the best start but they’re capable of winning any game. Anyone can beat anyone in this league. We need to be at our utmost best to get anything out of this game again.

“I’ve played against him many times, and he was very competitive and skilful as well. He was a clever player and competitive, and that’s how he likes his teams [to be].

“He’s very lively, and he’s been very positive whenever I’ve met him. He’s always very positive about his teams, which makes it a tough game for us on Saturday.”

Stevenage midfielder Dean Parrett is close to a return after missing last weekend’s stalemate with a thigh injury, while Steven Schumacher is also back in training ahead of this weekend’s game.

Boro’s central midfielder partnership against the Minstermen consisted of Watford loan player Connor Smith (aged 22) and former Arsenal midfielder Jack Jebb (20), and Sheringham believes the duo, along with Tom Conlon (19), are doing well while still learning all about a role in central midfield.

“They’re still at a very young age, and learning about probably the most difficult position on the football pitch,” Sheringham said.

“They’re trying to learn their position and their game, and I’m learning about them at the same times as well as getting results and performances on the football pitch.”