Newport County boss targets win against former club

Westley has been in the hot seat at Broadhall Way three times during his managerial career but insists he has no fear about returning.

Westley said: “I have a great rapport there, we enjoyed some really good times while I was there and there is a healthy respect between they and I.

“You can’t have all those good times without there being a high level of respect there.”

Westley has in-fact returned to his old stomping ground twice before, during his time at Preston North End and has yet to experience defeat on his old patch.

“When I took over at Preston we were really struggling and they were in the play-offs, so it was a really important 1 – 1 draw.

“Then the next season I returned with Preston and we won 4-1 and put in a very strong performance.”

Stevenage manager Darren Sarll was quick to point out the success of Westley and his assistant Dino Maamria during their time at the club but insists there can be no time for sentiment come 3pm on Saturday.

“Graham and Dino should be welcomed back with a loud, appreciative response,” said Sarll.

“People should show appreciation and give credit where credit’s due.

“I think that’s really important and the club that I want this football club to be would respect that and admire the contribution those two made.

“But we’ve got to go and win a football match and it doesn’t matter if it’s Graham Westley or Terry Venables or Chris Wilder or whoever.

“We’ve got to make sure that our focus is on winning that football match and not the hoo-ha around a returning manager.

“It’s important that we focus on how we win the game. We’ve got to win our home games.”

Stevenage have lost seven of their last eight home games in League Two and have not taken all three points at Broadhall Way since September 10.

But Sarll’s men, who are 15th in the table, did win 2-0 at Rodney Parade last month after an own goal from Darren Jones and one from Tom Pett secured all three points for the visitors.