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Dino Maamria

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Roberts: Maamria was deciding factor

Mark Roberts has revealed that first team coach Dino Maamria played a major part in him joining Stevenage Borough.

Roberts played under Maamria's tutelage during the Tunisian's spell as manager at Northwich, where they formed a good working relationship and the defender believes Maamria's presence will make it easy for him to settle at Boro.

He told TheComet: "I knew Dino from Northwich and I'm staying at the same hotel as him at the moment.

"He was a big factor in me coming here.

"We just seemed to strike up a good relationship from the off. He was a big part of the reason why I signed a two-year contract with Northwich last year.

"He has a belief and a desire that the gaffer here shares at this club. I just thought it was a massive opportunity that I couldn't turn down."

The 25-year-old managed to impress on his debut despite his side losing 2-1 to Wrexham, but feels it is only a matter of time until they start winning.

"You can tell in training that this is a team that should be higher in the league.

"The training is on a different skill level to Northwich with all due respect.

"This is a team that should be and will be challenging at the top of the league.

"I've had a chance against Wrexham and hopefully the gaffer thinks that I've taken it."