Stevenage boss Alex Revell has been speaking to Nub News ahead of the club's League Two clash against Port Vale.

The Boro boss has been previewing the clash at the Lamex on Saturday after a difficult week.

After three wins on the bounce including two successive league triumphs, Stevenage came back to earth with a bump after their 4-1 defeat at Bradford City on Tuesday evening.

Speaking to Nub News at the club's Bragbury End training ground Revell said: "It was a tough trip back from Bradford.

"The result is not a result that we're used to over rent times. It was quite sombre after the game because we wanted to go there and show people what we're about.

"The most important thing is that when we were back in on Wednesday, we had a really good meeting and we put it to bed and moved on.

"We can't change the result all we can do is improve, which is what we've been doing to ensure we're ready for tomorrow.

"It was a test for us. We know that. Anyone who finishes above Bradford City will be League Two champions. They brought in some great players and when you've got 16,000 at home it's always going to be tough."

A first half hattrick by Andy Cook helped rampant Bradford to a 4-1 victory over Stevenage at Valley Parade on Tuesday evening.

In an entertaining match, the former Mansfield Town striker was outstanding as the Bantams ended Boro's excellent start to the season by inflicting their first defeat in four games.

The well-travelled 30-year-old made it 1-0 only two minutes after kick-off when he headed in a Liam Ridehalgh cross to open his account for the season.

Boro's Elliot List levelled to make it 1-1 on 17 minutes with a fine finish following a Luke Norris knock-down, as the Boro striker beat City keeper Richard O'Donnell after Derek Adams side failed to clear their lines.

"The goals we conceded were poor goals," explained Revell, adding: "We were in the game at 1-1. We had a fantastic opportunity to make it 2-1 but we didn't take it.

"Then Joe [Anang] makes a brilliant penalty save and you think: 'Right, we're still in this game.' but then a crazy ten minutes saw us go in 3-1 down at the break.

"We've asked the players to reflect and make sure they are better. That's what we did last season. We bounced back and that's what we'll do again.

"Hopefully it's clear to everyone what we're trying to do here at Stevenage. We're trying to play a brand of football that people want to watch and that is exciting."

Boro sit in fifth place in the table and will be hoping to get back on track against Saturday's visitors, Vale.

With two impressive results at Bristol Rovers, and at home to Barrow on the opening day, Revell is unsurprisingly bullish.

"Yes, we are aware we need to work on creating more chances, and we're working on that every day," the Boro boss explained, "but we've been honest with people all the way along. There are going to be bumps in the road.

"People said to me it's been a tough start. But we've got six points from three games and if we bounce back against Port Vale on Saturday then, if you've taken nine points from the first 12, you'd be delighted with that.

"Port Vale defensively have been really strong. We know they'll be a tough team to play against. We'll also welcome 'Petty' [Tom Pett] back.

"It's about us having courage to play, getting our forwards on the ball and create chances. We know we can do that - but equally we know we can improve. That's why we're excited."

The 1-0 victory over Barrow at Broadhall Way on the opening day was followed by beating near neighbours Luton on penalties in the Carabao Cup, before was lodging an impressive 2-0 triumph at the Memorial Ground last weekend.

Injury updates

Revell is hoping for more of the same against their visitors from Staffordshire on Saturday but will be missing two influential players against the Valiants.

Giving injury updates Revell said: "We have to focus on what we're doing," he said. "In training we can see the players getting better and better. The most important thing is that the players improve.

"Chris Lines and Scott Cuthbert are struggling. It's unfortunate. Scotty is struggling and we'll wait to see and Linesy is 50-50.

"We'll have players coming back, but ultimately the players on the pitch will be ready for the game."

New signings as the transfer window ticks down

With the clock ticking down on the summer transfer window, the Stevenage boss confirmed he is still aiming to bring in one or two more players to bolster his squad ahead of a long season.

"Time is running out," he said, adding: "We are looking to add. Injuries have made us see that we are quite light at times. But I am stubborn because I only want to bring in players that will make us better.

"We've worked really hard to make this environment what it is. I only want players who will come in and improve our squad with the drive to make us better.

"Hopefully we will bring in one or two to add to the squad."

Covid jabs

On the subject of the club's policy on players having Covid vaccinations, Revell said: "It's the same as everywhere. We can only advise them. Our club doctors have come in and said get the vaccine.

"Our policy is to advise them to have it. After that it's down to them. It's how you see it and their interpretation on it.

"I'd say about 75 per cent of the squad have been vaccinated [at least once]. You can't force people to have them. It'll always be a grey area. Unless people want to have it you can't force them."

Rev's Rallying Cry

Revell finished on an upbeat note after a difficult week, with a rallying cry for Boro fans.

He said: "My message to fans is that we've had a positive start - please carry on being as positive as we have been.

"We've made a really positive start. Yes we lost at Bradford but [victory] at Bristol Rovers was tremendous. It was an unbelievable result away from home."

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