Stevenage lost manager Steve Evans just before the end of last season to Rotherham United, after their impressive first season back in League One where they finished in 10th place.
They then looked to a former player and manager with coach Alex Revell chosen to take permanent charge after holding the role as caretaker for the last two games of the 23/24 season.
Pre-season
Stevenage kept the majority of their squad from last season, but three players were released at the end of their contracts. These included Harry Anderson, who joined Colchester United and spent the second half of last season on loan, Kane Hemmings, who joined Crewe Alexandra, and Alex MacDonald, who joined Steve Evans at Rotherham. In late July, Terence Vancooten was sold to Burton Albion.
However, in late May the signings of striker Louis Apere from Northampton, attacking midfielder Dan Kemp from MK Dons, defender Lewis Freestone from relegated Cheltenham and Dan Phillips from Scottish side St Johnstone bolstered the squad at the manager’s disposal.
Pre-season started with the visits of Watford and Coventry City to the Lamex Stadium in a 2-2 draw and 2-1 defeat respectively as well as travelling to Jersey for the third time to face the Jersey Bulls in a 3-0 win.
Before the final two games of pre-season Stevenage also signed Striker Tyreece Simpson from Huddersfield Town.
Pre-season finished with two games in 24 hours that resulted in two wins over Braintree Town and Chelsea.
Just before the start of their league campaign, they made a few more additions with the loan signing of goalkeeper Murphy Cooper from QPR, the permanent signing of defender Charlie Goode from Brentford, the permanent signing of striker Jake Young from Bradford City and loan signings of goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis from Reading, defensive midfielder Eli King from Cardiff City as well as Striker Ken Aboh from Norwich City.
Stevenage StrengthsÂ
Clean Sheets
One of the strengths this season for the Boro has been their defence with Murphy Cooper having the most clean sheets in the division with 11 from 18 games and only 20 goals conceded.
Home Form
Stevenage have made the Lamex Stadium a fortress this season with seven wins from 13 games including wins over Stockport County, Barnsley and Wrexham and in the home table, they are in sixth place.
Stevenage WeaknessesÂ
Away Form
However, the away form has been a problem with only one win away coming at Mansfield Town and in the form table away from home they are 21st, only ahead of struggling trip Rotherham United, Shrewsbury Town and Cambridge United.
Struggling to Score Goals
Stevenage, despite keeping the most clean sheets in the division, have scored the joint-least number of goals with Burton Albion with just 18 goals.
One of the reasons for this is likely to have been the goal return of Northern Ireland international Jamie Reid. This season he has only scored three goals, two of which were in the last three games, this is in contrast to last season where he bagged 17 goals which got him his call-up up the Northern Ireland squad.
Coming up for Stevenage
Stevenage, after ending 2024 with a bang after beating Bristol Rovers 3-0, will look to continue their run and ruin the first game at home for new Northampton Town boss Kevin Nolan on New Year’s Day. This is followed by a trip to Lincoln City and a home match against struggling Burton Albion. They also will travel to in-form Leyton Orient in the Vertu Trophy in the round of 16.
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