Stevenage FC manager Darren Sarll is expecting a tough afternoon when his side visit Barnet FC in a local derby tomorrow.

Boro have made a positive start to the season and are currently unbeaten in League Two with two draws and a win.

Sarll’s side won both games in Sky Bet League Two against Barnet last season, but he is expecting the Bees to be a different team this time around.

Sarll told the Comet: “We had some good success against Barnet last year, we know they are very much a different side this season though.

“We need to be prepared for the difference in threat that they will pose.

“I’d like it to be a good day because the derbies are important to us. We’ve done very well in our derby games, we enjoy them and we know what they are about.

“It will be a high intensity game, they’ve started brightly and it will be a difficult match for us.

“The derby games have a tendency to be tough and physical but I think we’ll see a technical side that we’ve not seen to this game before.

“It should be a strong willed, high octane game and that’s what we prepare our players for.

“All I can really be conscious of is what I am preparing my group of players to be and I feel like we are in real great shape at the moment.”

The Boro boss was also full of praise for the club’s travelling support, who he expects to be in good voice at The Hive this weekend.

“I hope that we can provide some sort of addition to the atmosphere with our away support.

“I love our away support. I like getting off the coach at away grounds and seeing the same six or seven supporters, whether it be Barnet or Carlisle, they are great and they meet you with such enthusiasm.

“It’s really invigorating because they do that regardless of what’s happened the week before or what’s going to happen.

“Their love and affection for the football club is so great.”