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Stevenage boss Alex Revell is confident his team will handle the pressure of the upcoming play-off match against Stockport County after a dramatic last-minute win secured their spot. This marks their first play-off appearance in 14 years.
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Alex Revell was reappointed as Stevenage boss when Steve Evans left in 2024 [Getty Images]
Stevenage boss Alex Revell believes reaching the play-offs in dramatic fashion will help ensure his team are not fazed by taking on Stockport County on Saturday.
Boro were set to miss out until Dan Sweeney's added-time winner against Wigan secured sixth place in League One, pipping Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle.
They last reached the third tier play-offs 14 years ago and have never played in the Championship since joining the English Football League in 2010.
"You saw what it meant to people that day, you saw what it meant to the players, to the staff, to the chairman, the directors, every single person was pushing in the right direction," Revell told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"Saturday was an emotional day for everybody because of the way it happened, the celebrations - people expected us to drop out [of the play-off spots] and that's been there all year.
"It was great to have that occasion on Saturday, for our players to have that feeling of walking out into a full stadium at home, they've experienced that emotion so they already know what it feels like."
Revell's side beat Stockport home and away during the regular season - and County have never won at Broadhall Way in five previous visits in all competitions.
Alex Revell expressed confidence that his team will not be fazed by the pressure of the play-off match against Stockport County.
Stevenage secured their play-off spot with Dan Sweeney's added-time winner against Wigan, finishing sixth in League One.
Stevenage last reached the play-offs 14 years ago.
No, Stevenage has never played in the Championship since joining the English Football League in 2010.
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But he is taking nothing for granted in two games to decide which team goes through to face either Bradford City or Bolton Wanderers at Wembley.
Boro chairman Phil Wallace has said the club are ready to be a Championship team and Revell believes their performances over 46 games means they "absolutely deserve" the chance to reach the second tier for the first time.
"Now it's for us to go and showcase in two fantastic games why we've got to where we are," he said.
"These are almost cup ties and we have to make sure that we're ourselves, and we continue to do the things that have got us to where we are, manage emotions, manage each other - but also you have to enjoy it, you have to embrace it.
"We've put this club on the map massively and people are now looking in and wondering what we're doing. It's a brilliant achievement but let's go one further.
"We've got into this situation above some incredible teams and managers, and players, so let's go and be the best us.
"If we do the basics really well, that we've done all year, then hopefully the result will be in our favour."
Stevenage have no fresh injury concerns, and defender Lewis Freestone - who will not play again this season - and midfielder Chem Campbell are the only significant absentees.
"He's is a big loss for us. But he's in the changing room, he drives people on, he's on the side [of the pitch] being what he is, a fantastic team person," Revell said of Freestone.
"Chem will miss the game - he was desperate to come back but just wasn't right. It took a lot of bravery to come in and say that but for him the team comes first."