League’s joint best defence take on top scorers as Boro travel to Chesterfield

STEVENAGE boss Graham Westley says comments made by Chesterfield boss John Sheridan after the clubs met in October have fired his players up for their trip to the B2net Stadium today (Saturday).

Boro are full of confidence following their FA Cup win over Newcastle United last weekend and their 4-2 dismantling of Barnet a week earlier, and Westley said his team is looking forward to their trip to Chesterfield.

After that game, one of only two matches this season that Chesterfield have failed to score in, Sheridan quipped: “I thought we were actually playing against the English body-building team with the size of them. I don’t know what they eat down here but they were all 6ft 2in and built like ... you know what I mean!”

Westley said: “We go there this weekend against a good side, [but they have] a manager who was ludicrously rude about us after our last outing when they came here so that has fired our players up.

“We’ve all enjoyed the achievement of last weekend as it was a fantastic achievement but we needed to bring ourselves back down to earth to make sure we’re ready to go into league action again.

“[You gain] confidence when players pull off what many people thought was unachievable, but it’s important to use it in the right way.

“Winning people, whether they are players, coaches or managers, have an idea of what you have to do to keep winning.

“We’ve been fortunate to create success at the club in the last few years and we’ve done that by consistently focusing on the next job and getting ready to do that.

“We always look at the next opponent and build a plan to win the game and when you do what we’ve done this season, stepping up a level, you have to get used to new challenges.

“Every mountain comes with different challenges. You climb one but then you’re not necessarily used to the challenges of the next mountain, but I’ve said consistently I believe we’re getting better.”

Boro will be without the injured Darren Murphy (foot) while Joel Byron (ankle) is also a doubt. Lee Boylan (released) and Peter Vincenti (free transfer to Aldershot) left the club this week. Darius Charles is available following a three-match suspension while new striker Byron Harrison, who was cup-tied against Newcastle, is also available for selection.

Boro have the joint best defensive record in the league, but Chesterfield are the top scorers. The Spireites hope to have top scorer Craig Davies back in the starting XI after missing the win over Southend United due to illness.