BRAINTREE Town boss George Borg has thanked his former striker Alex Revell for helping him snap up two of Stevenage’s brightest young prospects.

Iron have signed teenage midfield duo Jack Smith and Liam Smyth on loan from Boro, where Braintree legend Revell is a player-coach.

Borg helped launch Revell’s career at Cressing Road, providing the platform for the striker to enjoy a profitable career in the Football League playing for the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion, Southend United, Rotherham United and Leyton Orient.

Now Revell has returned part of the favour, with Smith and Smyth making impressive debuts for Braintree in their 1-0 home defeat to Tonbridge Angels, last weekend along with three other new players.

Borg said: “I was very impressed with the young lads.

“I’d like to thank Alex for helping us out with us bringing in Jack Smith and Liam Smyth from Stevenage.

“They were both excellent last Saturday and we’re grateful to Alex and Stevenage.”

Braintree head to Oxford City this weekend aiming to halt their nine-match league winless run which has left them 18th in the Vanarama National League South table.

Borg is aiming to chalk up his first win since returning to the Iron hot seat last month and is confident his young team can get the club back on track.

“I’m positive and upbeat and confident we can turn things around,” said Borg, who is hoping to sign a centre-forward in time for the Oxford City game.

“The supporters have been absolutely fantastic.

“They’ve been brilliant for me and that’s what has encouraged me even more to bring in better players to the football club and put in that hard work.

“We’re trying to get some entertainment on the pitch.

“I understand why a lot of the supporters are frustrated but when we came in, the team wasn’t good enough and that is shown by where a lot of the boys have moved onto.

“The quality that we had at the club in the first place wasn’t good enough.

“There were a lot of players who wanted to leave when I took over and I think we’ve brought in some quality players.

“They are young players and I know that with that, there can be inconsistency but they have potential.

“It will only get better in time; it’s a tight league and a couple of wins can take us right up the table.

“I was really chuffed with the performance against Tonbridge.

“Unfortunately, a mistake cost us in the end but we worked extremely hard.

“We’re lacking a bit of confidence at the moment but we created a lot of chances and the organisation was better.”