Simon Walton is ready to put his poor first half of the season behind him and push on in 2015.

The 27-year-old has made just nine appearances this season, out of 28 games, and scored one goal since signing for Stevenage in the summer.

The output is well below what the former Hartlepool midfielder expects of himself.

“It’s been a disappointing season personally; I haven’t reached the heights I expected of myself when I signed,” he said. “Everyone was excited at the start of the season. As a team and certainly individually, I felt I was in a good place but I missed the opening two games through my own fault and I haven’t got going since.

“[Compared to] the expectation I place on myself – and still do – my performances have been nowhere near what I would expect but I am working hard. I don’t want to sound big-headed but I feel I’m more than capable of playing at a higher level. It’s easier said than done but for my own benefit, and the team, I have got to get back to where I was and start performing at the required level.”

Walton’s journey back to form, he said, is being aided by the winning environment around the club at the moment. Stevenage have picked up 10 points from their last four games and sit just three points off the play-off spots.

“It makes it a little bit easier that the team is performing well. As a group and a club we’re moving up the league and heading in the right direction,” he said. “That’s’ a good start and helps my situation to be in a wining environment.

“The team is performing well and the squad feels good so long may it continue. If I can get back to performing to my standard then it can only help the team.”