New Stevenage signing Murphy Cooper on his baptism of fire

The QPR goalkeeper was only signed on loan late on Friday, the announcement coming one day later mere moment before he played in Boro's final pre-season fixture, a 1-0 win at home to Chelsea U21s.

And he looked a good acquisition despite the baptism of fire.

He said: "I'm really happy to be here first and foremost but it was a case of thrown in at the deep end.

"I found out late on [Friday] and then I came straight here, hadn't met any of the lads but they helped me settle in.

"We showed a good performance and it's nice to start with a win and clean sheet.

"Chelsea U21s have a philosophy of playing out from the back and good players who can move the ball.

"We dealt with that well and although I had a few things to save, the boys in front of me defended well.

"Long may that continue."

He may not have met many of his new team-mates but there was one he knew, having played with Dan Kemp at Swindon Town last season.

And he spoke with his fellow summer signing to get the lay of the land before making his decision.

Cooper said: "When I found out there was a bit of interest and something could happen, I spoke to Kempy and he couldn't speak higher of the club, the gaffer, the goalkeeping coach and the lads.

"It made the decision easier when he said that."

Boro boss Alex Revell said it was the character of the 22-year-old that had convinced him to swoop.

he said: "He's nice and calm and his distribution is excellent and that's a big part for us. We have to use that ball for how we play and our identity

"He's a powerful goalkeeper, he'll get to things you wouldn't expect keepers to get to. He's really commanding.

"But it's his character, that's the biggest thing and the references and feedback have been second to none. 

"He's a great character to bring in and he'll battle with Taye for that position.

"To be a successful team, you need to have competition for every position and we've now got that at goalkeeper."

Lewis Freestone scored for Stevenage against Chelsea U21s. Picture: TGS PHOTO (Image: David Loveday/TGS Photo)

The 1-0 win over Chelsea came courtesy of a Lewis Freestone goal, and the boss was happy to play another team with a different style to others they have faced in their friendlies.

"It took us 20 minutes to work out how to press them and how to work but it was a different challenge," said Revell.

"They are a team who want to have a lot of possession and at times, you have to learn how to suffer without the ball, how to work and move and keep the ball out of your net.

"But after that we changed a few things around and became a better team.

"We scored a good goal from a set-piece, they can be a difference in games, then after half-time we stepped on.

"We were much better second half in terms of winning the ball back and what we did with it.

"The only problems came when we were a little sloppy having won it back.

"But it's a win and really good workout to finish pre-season off."

And the new signing spoke for the rest of the squad when he spoke of his excitement for the new League One season, which starts with a home fixture against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

Cooper said: "As footballers, you have to do pre-season and it is goo to get a feel for it again and get back into it.

"But we're all counting the days down until the real things starts

"We've got a week to go and it'll be good to get into training this week, good to get to know the lads better and the style the gaffer wants to play.

"Hopefully we can get a good result on Saturday to start the season off."