Nicholson looking to follow Sills to Broadhall Way

Kevin Nicholson is in talks with Stevenage over a loan move until the end of the season. The experienced left back, who is currently at Torquay, has spoken to Graham Westley about a short term deal and could move ahead of Saturday’s important clash against Kettering Town. If Nicholson does decide to move up to Broadhall Way then he will be following his mate Tim Sills, who signed for Boro in a permanent deal last weekend. Below is what Sills thinks about a possible move for Nicholson.

“As long as it’s right for him, it would be perfect if Kev came too. From the moment he started setting me up, we had a rapport on the pitch and it has turned into a great friendship off it.” Sills on Kevin Nicholson’s possible move to Hertfordshire

Nicholson was very highly rated when he was in the Blue Square Premier with Torquay. In fact a certain Graham Westley said he was the best left back in the non league in his NLP column. GW obviously rates him highly and wants to add his quality and experience to the squad. Nicholson made his name in a 3 year spell at Notts County, where he amassed over 100 appearances, scoring 4 goals. He then joined Scarborough and Forest Green before moving down to Torquay in 2007. He has been a regular in the side for a couple of seasons now, but this season has seen him become a bit more of a squad player.

If Nicholson does join Boro, then I expect him to be a regular in the side at left back and replace Scott Laird. I don’t know why GW wants to add another left back into the squad after signing Darragh Ryan last week, but he clearly feels that is an area that needs strengthening as the team pushes towards their first league title since 1996. I think Scott Laird has done well in that position and can still improve, but I think GW wants an experienced backline and believes Nicholson would add that bit of defensive quality to that position. It’s possible that Laird could be moved further forward if there are injuries to Cole and Long.

In other news, the Barrow game, which was scheduled for just before Christmas has been rearranged for the 9th March. The Wrexham game has yet to be given a new date, but according to the Welsh club, they only have 4 possible dates it could be. I’d expect it to be around March time too.

Boro are in action for the first time since New Year’s Day tomorrow night when they host Vauxhall Motors in the FA Trophy. After nearly 3 weeks without a game, I think GW will play a strong side tomorrow night as he gets his players back into the swing of things ahead of the Kettering game. Saturday’s game is massive, especially after Oxford’s defeat at the weekend against Tamworth. We are definately part of the title race at the moment, but wins against the likes of Kettering are needed to keep the pressure on Wilder’s side.