Darren Sarll says getting three of his big players to pen new deals so soon after the last season ended meant that he could ‘sleep at night’ during the summer, adding that he thought his side’s other transfer dealings had been ‘excellent’.

The Comet: Stevenage manager Darren Sarll. Picture by Paul Sanwell/OP PhotographicStevenage manager Darren Sarll. Picture by Paul Sanwell/OP Photographic (Image: Archant)

Boro went about their transfer business early this pre-season with all six of their new signings so far - Matt Godden, Jake Hyde, Rowan Liburd, Jobi McAnuff, Andrew Fox and loanee Shaun Donnellan - joining the club by mid-July.

Sarll says that recruitment has been ‘well thought through’ and ‘thorough’, though he would like to add more if the right players come along.

However, Sarll has said that he is pleased with the ‘competitive match-like’ environment his players have already forged ahead of tomorrow’s (Saturday) visit of Crewe Alexandra.

Speaking ahead of the league opener, Sarll said: “I think we went steady [in the transfer business]. I think the real early ones and key ones for me finishing the season were [Luke] Wilkinson, [Charlie] Lee and [Jamie] Jones.

“Once we had them I felt strong and safe. I thought I could sleep at night…the quality per player and resilience of those three [meant] I thought we’re in a lot better position than this time last year.

“Then we started to add [Matt] Godden, [Jake] Hyde. [Rowan] Liburd, [Andrew] Fox and [Shaun] Donnellan and slowly started to add a different type of layer to our team and I think you’ve seen that in those pre-season games to date.

“I think we’ve kept nine clean sheets in the last 16 games if you include pre-season games. No-one can tell me players haven’t tried to create a competitive match-like environment when they’ve gone out and played Brighton and they’ve kept a clean sheet and Jamie Jones goes out to make a save and I’ve got four of them on the line.

“Signing Wilkinson, Lee and Jones in particular made me feel that that situation was going to be consistent throughout the year, so you can see why I feel safe.

“Matty has done brilliant, Hyde has done brilliant and will get better. Liburd will get better and we’re starting to add some nice layers to our team.”

The Boro boss added: “Our recruitment has been excellent, well thought through. It has been very thorough.

“We have all bought into it. The board, chairman, manager, manager’s advisor, head of recruitment. It means we’ve got a real sort of interest in making sure they are successful with us and we’re all buying into that process.

“Our work has been excellent. We can all refer to last year but we’re in a good place.”