It will be tough says Turner

Graham Turner has told the Worcester News that he is confident that the Bulls will contain Stevenage on Monday.

"Last year we were in terrific form but I don't think that is a major thing. It did not matter in the end. The preparation was right last season. Unfortunately, we just did not get the breaks," said Turner.

"We were made to suffer from a dubious penalty and the sending-off. Things like that you can't legislate for. But if I could go back, I would still have prepared the players the same way.

"However, we are in good form and that has given us plenty of confidence going into the first leg. Certainly, we'll be looking to keep that form going but we know how hard it will be.

"One or two players have left since last year and so the whole play-off experience is a new thing for some of them.

"There will be a bit of nervousness among the players closer to the game, of course. It's one of those situations where the team that handles the occasion better will probably make it through and I'm confident that will be us.

"I don't think you can make predictions for the first game. But Stevenage has been a good ground for us and we won there recently. Obviously, we'll be looking for another good result, but it will be tough. Stevenage are a big, strong side."

Turner spoke about club captain, Tony James.

"Tony will be fit and we'll have to make a decision on him. But if you look at our record without Tony, we have conceded two goals in nine games with Tamika Mkandwire and Andy Tretton in central defence. Defensively, we have been excellent during that run."

The newspaper has also spoken to Stevenage manager, Graham Westley.

"The mood is electric. The players are calm and confident and there is a sense that we know what we have to do. We are the form team over 30 games and we have won the last three games. We know what it's all about on Monday and at the moment we're just concentrating on that.

"In the last game against Hereford we lost the game in the 10 minutes after half-time but I don't think we should read too much into that.

"It's just been a normal week for us. Our preference will be to win well on Monday but we take it as it comes."

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