Boro midfielder Stacy Long admits he has been frustrated with his form since his summer move from Ebbsfleet United but vowed that his best is yet to come. The 24-year-old has shown glimpses of class this season in his new surroundings but is yet to convi

Boro midfielder Stacy Long admits he has been frustrated with his form since his summer move from Ebbsfleet United but vowed that his best is yet to come.

The 24-year-old has shown glimpses of class this season in his new surroundings but is yet to convince manager Graham Westley that he deserves to become a fixture in his starting XI.

But Long impressed in the midweek win over Eastbourne and hopes he is about to hit the kind of form that has earned him the reputation as one of the best midfielders outside the Football League.

"I've been disappointed with a couple of my performances recently," Long told The Comet. "But I know that it'll come for me and hopefully I can show what I can do on a more regular basis.

"In terms of training I've settled in really well. I knew a few of the boys coming here and I feel like I've known everyone for ages.

"It's just up to me to show what I can do out on the field and hopefully earn a first team place."

Boro travel to Mansfield on Saturday hoping to place another dent in the Stags' promotion aspirations after their 3-1 defeat to Kidderminster in midweek.

Long knows Boro are going have their work cut out returning to The Lamex Stadium with all three points in tow but insists it is a game they should be relishing if they are to challenge for honours this season.

"It's a tough place to go but there's a lot of tough places to go in this league," he added. "It's the kind of game that we love and, if we want to get to the top, we've got to go to these places and enjoy the challenge."

The goals have been shared around the Boro squad so far this season but Long has yet to register in a competitive match although he hopes to break his duck sooner rather than later.

"I know that I'm expected to go and get goals and, if I get myself into the starting XI in a more regular position then the goals will come.