Stevenage

Stevenage head coach Alex Revell wants his players to build on their recent momentum as they head to Leyton Orient in League One on Saturday.

Boro took just a single point from their opening three league matches, including losing at home to both Oxford United and Reading.

But they have followed that up with two successive draws before a thumping 5-1 win at Barnsley and a 2-1 home victory over Luton Town last Thursday.

Stevenage are up to ninth after six matches and Revell told BBC Three Counties Radio the players need to feed off the increasing feel-good factor.

"There's no better feeling than when everybody gets to celebrate like that after a game," Revell said. "We know how much it means to everybody, and how hard everybody works here - staff, players, everyone.

"This is not a group of players where you overload them. You just need to keep it simple. Get them to do what they are good at, and that's what we feel we're progressing with.

"If we do that, and add a little bit more of pace and more of those one-on-one moments, we're in a real good place. We're really pleased with where we are."

Stevenage won eight of their first 10 matches last season, which included victory at this weekend's opponents. Leyton Orient.

Boro reached the play-offs before losing in the semi-finals to Stockport County, whilst the O's avoided relegation on the final day.

Revell adds: "I remember we beat them this time last year, and got a fantastic result that sent us top for the first time over that period.

"Leyton Orient are having a tricky old time, sat there in the middle of the pack. Richie's (Wellens) teams are always well coached and have the ability to score goals.

"We want to win this game to go into the international break in that top pack. We want to continue this momentum. building belief in what we're doing."

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Stevenage have signed midfielder Matt Smith on a contract of undisclosed length.

The 25-year-old was a free agent having left Wigan Athletic after his contract with the Latics expired this summer.

He also counts Doncaster Rovers, Charlton Athletic and Swindon Town among his previous clubs and has made a total of 159 League One appearances in his career to date.

Smith was a product of Arsenal's academy but did not play a senior game for the Gunners.

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Stevenage have signed forward Tugra Turhan on a season-long loan from Turkish Super Lig side Istanbul Basaksehir.

The 19-year-old arrived at Basaksehir from Swiss top flight club Grasshopper last year.

Turhan was born in Switzerland, but has represented both the Swiss and Turkish national teams at youth level.

He has made eight senior career appearances, featuring for Grasshopper in the 2024-25 campaign, scoring one goal.

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Exeter City have signed defender Jack Taylor on loan from Stevenage for the rest of the season, and added strikers Danny Rose and Ajay Matthews.

Centre-back Taylor, 21, joined Boro from Sutton United in January and made his debut in their League Cup defeat by Reading last month.

"We are short in the centre-half department currently and he is a fantastic size with a great profile and did really well to break through at Sutton United to earn a move to League One level," said Grecians boss Matt Taylor, external.

Exeter have also brought in 20-year-old Matthews on a season-long loan from Championship side Millwall, while 32-year-old Rose has signed a two-year deal after joining from National League side Barrow.

Rose has made more than 400 career appearances and scored more than 100 goals during a career that has also included spells with Barnsley, Bury, Mansfield Town, Northampton Town, Stevenage and Grimsby Town.

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Reading have signed Northern Ireland striker Jamie Reid from Stevenage on a two-year deal, for an undisclosed fee.

The 32-year-old has spent the past five years at Broadhall Way, scoring 69 goals in 245 appearances.

He helped them win promotion from League Two in 2022-2023, and was named in the League One Team of the Season in 2023-2024.

His 14 goals last season helped Stevenage finish fifth and reach the League One play-offs.

Reid has also scored two goals in 16 caps for Northern Ireland.

Royals boss Leam Richardson told the club website, external: "Jamie is a proven goalscorer at this level and somebody who has consistently shown what he can bring to a team over a number of years.

"He works incredibly hard, he's intelligent with his movement and he knows where the goal is. He can lead the line, play off other forwards and gives us another really good option at the top end of the pitch."

Analysis

Tim Dellor, BBC Radio Berkshire

Fans have been crying out for the recruitment of a specialist striker. Jack Marriott's goalscoring record is superb, hitting the net 17 times last campaign, but his injury history is a concern.

Reid will give manager Leam Richardson more reliable goalscoring cover. Last season Kelvin Ehibhatiohman acted as Marriott's understudy, but he's departed during this window.

Richardson has made no secret of his desire to strengthen in central defence and up front. Reid and Jacob Brown have come in to score the goals. Josh Knight and Conor Masterson will fortify defence. They've both arrived at Reading in the last week.

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Transfer deadline day is upon us and today is the final chance for your EFL club to finalise any business until January.

The transfer window closes at 23:00 BST, so we might have some late night scrambles to get deals over the line.

There has already been plenty of movement this summer and whether it's a busy or quiet day for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our EFL deadline day live text coverage throughout the day here

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York City have signed Stevenage forward Jovan Malcolm on loan until January.

The 23-year-old scored once in 13 league appearances for Barrow in League Two during a loan spell last season.

He came through West Brom's academy and scored twice in five appearances for the senior side.

Malcolm could make his debut for the Minstermen in Saturday's home game against Exeter City.