Stevenage boss Dino Maamria has been sharing his views on his side’s forthcoming trip to Carlisle on Saturday. Read on for what he told Layth Yousif.
Stevenge boss Dino Maamria is expecting a tough match against Carlisle United at Brunton Park on Saturday.
Boro beat Grimsby Town 1-0 at Broadhall Way on Saturday to go level on points with sixth-placed Oldham in League Two.
With the Cumbrians in fifth place the match is set to be a challenge for in-form Stevenage.
Speaking to ComnetSport at the club’s Bragbury End training ground as the squad tested revolutionary football technology WallJAM that Real Madrid use, Maamria said: “Carlisle away will be a real test for us. They are a tough side and hard to beat espcially on their own patch.
“We’ll treat them with respect as Brunton Park is never an easy place to go but my lads have been showing character to get results.”
“We’ve been studying Carlisle, we know their strengths and their weaknesses. We’ll be ready.
“We’ve had four clean sheets already. But we can do a lot better.”
It’s going to be a tough week on the road for Boro as they travel to second place Exeter City on Tuesday, meaning the club will have travelled more than 1,000 miles in four days in their bid to boost their league standing.
Assessing the challenge ahead the charismatic boss said: “I don’t know how we ended up getting those two away from home in a week but it is what it is.
“We’re in a good place and we keep improving. We will focus on Carlisle first. They’ve had a good start to the season. There’s not much between us – it should be a good game. They’re a solid team. I’ve watched their last three games.
“Certain teams have started well and others less so. No-one expected Notts County to be where they are. Or Northampton. We’ll know who the top teams are by the end of the season.
“It was difficult against Grimsby but we got there in the end. We’ve been working hard in training this week, offensively and defensively. We’re in a fantastic place but there’s far more to come from us. It’s a long season but we’ll keep striving.”
A 78th winner by lively left-back Steve Seddon clinched victory against the Mariners at the weekend in a game that was full of endeavour if lacking in an end product.
Stevenage have now picked up seven points from the last nine after they built on the 3-3 draw at Meadow Lane against Notts County and their 1-0 triumph over Macclesfield Town last time out at the Lamex.
The game against the Mariners was never pretty but the welcome three points gained after Birmingham City’s on-loan 20-year-old defender’s close-range finish could prove vital come the end of the season.
Maamria agreed, saying: “We’re on 15 points now. That’s three wins and a draw in the last four games which is a good bounce-back after the disappointment of losing to Cambridge.
“Two clean sheets. Two home wins out of two. I couldn’t ask for anymore.
“We are a new team and we will get better. Oor football is getting better, week in, week out.
“We were playing against a team fighting for their lives and they made life very difficult for us.”
Boro eventually broke the deadlock after a Newton run down the left flank before he squared into the box.
Seddon, the young left-back on loan from the Birmingham City scored after clipping the ball into the net past the busy James McKeown in the Grimsby goal to make it 1-0 with only 12 minutes remaining.
Maamria shared early team news for the long trip to Cumbria adding he was hopeful of first choice keeper Paul Farman returning following a hand injury.
*Maamria also sent his best to freelance CometSport snapper – and huge Carlisle fan – Martyn Haworth who is getting married on Saturday to award-winning journalist and broadcaster Becca Burrows.
Mammria admires the talented snapper’s work as the Boro boss offered a warm message to the soon-to-be-bride and groom: “Enjoy your wedding Martyn,” he said, adding with a smile, “hopefully Carlisle won’t have as good a day as I’m sure you and your bride to be will have. All the best to you both.”
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