Stevenage Borough have freshened up their squad on the loan deadline day which today finished at 5pm. 3 players have come in, but no one has left the club, that we know of. Joining Boro are centre half Mark Roberts from Northwich Victoria, Watford youngster Jordan Parkes and ex QPR and Barnet forward Kieron St Aimie. I assume that the latter two have impressed Westley enough this week after training with the club. Here is a little more information on our new signings.

Mark Roberts

Roberts joins Boro from fellow Blue Square Premier side Northwich Victoria, who first team coach Dino Maamria managed previously. Roberts was part of the backline which impressed in their recent 1-1 draw at Broadhall Way and began his career at Crewe Alexandra before spells at Halifax and Accrington Stanley. It was mentioned in the Northwich report that Roberts kept Morison quiet that game and along with Will Antwi looked very strong at the back.

Jordan Parkes

Born in Hemel Hempstead, Parkes is a full back who likes to get forward. I expect Graham Westley to use Parkes at right back as he doesn’t seem comfortable with playing either Eddie Anaclet or Lawrie Wilson there. He can also play at left back so his versatility could be quite useful. He has made a couple of first team appearances for Watford and spent a couple of loan spells in the football league at Brentford and Barnet.

Kieron St Aimie

Probably the most recognisable name to most Boro supporters. St Aimie started his career against QPR before moving to Barnet last season. He is a centre forward, but can also play a bit on either wing. He has struggled to hold down a place at Underhill and spent a month on loan at Grays earlier in the season, scoring 2 goals on his debut, funnily enough against Wrexham. A quote from a Barnet fan I know regarding St Aimie;

“Awful player. One of the worst I have seen in a Barnet shirt. He is fat, slow, just woeful. In our recent game against Notts County when we were 4 down he laughed and got sent home.”

These 3 are interesting signings, but I still don’t see what St Aimie is going to offer that Daryl McMahon wouldn’t. It’s obvious that the defence needed strengthening and Westley has done that with bringing in Roberts. I would like to see Will Antwi follow him to Broadhall Way in January. Parkes will offer cover at both right and left back, which are both positions that could be permanently strengthened in January, with GW not happy with either Anaclet or Laird. One other bit of news regarding Boro today is that Ashley Barnes who was on trial at Boro earlier in the week has joined another Boro, Eastbourne.