Alex Revell says Stevenage sent ‘message’ with win over Luton

Alex Revell hailed a statement 2-0 win for Stevenage at home to Luton that sent them back to the top of the League One table.

Second-half goals from Chem Campbell and Jordan Roberts made it eight wins and a draw from their opening 10 fixtures.

And the fact it was done in front of a sell-out Lamex Stadium crowd made it all the sweeter.

Revell said: “We all knew the importance of today in terms of the crowd and what it meant to the football club to fill this stadium, but I think that for us from the outside, it is a message.

“It’s a big team coming to this stadium in a derby and I thought the players dealt with the situation fantastically well.

“The conditions were really difficult and when you have a crowd like that for the first time in a long time, you have to embrace it.

“That’s what as a footballer, as a coach, as a manager, that’s what you want to do. You want to play in front of crowds.

“But the people came because they have real belief in the group and the team and hopefully we’ve shown why they should come and watch us more.”

The win itself came after a scrappy first half but Revell was pleased with the way the second period went.

“We just had to settle them down a little bit at half-time, we just needed to get a bit more composure, to have a bit more control in the game,” he said.

“[The goals were] coming. We were growing strong and we had little moments where the final ball wasn’t quite there.

“But the minute Chem scored and the noise [grew], I just felt like we upped it.

“And then we got the second and had a brilliant opportunity to get the third that would have obviously sealed it.

“But to be top of the league after 10 games is a really great place to be.”

Matt Bloomfield faced the wrath of the Luton fans after the second and again at the final whistle.

“I understand people’s frustrations,” he said. “They’re entitled to voice them in the way that they see fit and there’s nothing I can say about that. I’m just trying to do my job to the best of my ability.

“I’m just focusing on my job the best I possibly can. Three years I’ve been (in management) and all I’ve ever done is focus on the job the best I possibly can.

“Up until their first, there’s nothing really much in it. We have the best chance and second half, we’re playing on the front foot again with another one or two real good chances.

“But after the first goal goes in, I’m really disappointed.”