Stevenage fans have yet to see the best of Ben Thompson according to manager Steve Evans - but his performance against Crystal Palace revealed a glimpse into "a wonderful player".
The 28-year-old played the full game as Boro won 5-2 in the EFL Trophy and caught the eye with some pinpoint deliveries from wide, most notably for Aaron Pressley's first goal.
But he was busy elsewhere round the park and Evans says that is the type of player he truly is.
The Boro boss, who watched the game from the stands, said: "Leon [Hunter] and I were just saying upstairs, we're we've almost been waiting for Thommo to grab a game by the scruff of the neck or get a bit of good fortune when he drives in and it opens up for him.
"Ben is a wonderful player and sometimes we're looking at training why can't we put that onto the pitch?
"And sometimes we can only attribute it to being the kid is trying too hard in games.
"But I thought he looked a level above most on the pitch against Palace.
"There were a number of players [who stood out]. I mean, Jake Forster-Caskey was sensational for periods and Harvey White, his passing was like what we expect from Harvey White.
"Ben Thompson's energy is infectious and I thought he was as good as anything on the pitch, and that's among a number of really top performances."
