Stevenage have the burning desire back to win football matches and, although currently second bottom, are targeting a mid-table finish, according to manager Graham Westley.

Two wins and a draw from their last three Sky Bet League 1 fixtures have lifted Boro from the foot of the table and three points from safety.

Next up is a home clash with Tranmere Rovers who themselves sit just a point from the relegation places.

Westley told The Comet what has altered in his players to lead to the unbeaten streak.

“The most important thing in the last three games is the way in which the team’s mentality and desire has changed,” he said.

The introduction of former French U21 international Bira Dembele and Swansea City loanee Curtis Obeng to the back line has also been a factor.

“Whoever has worn the shirt has been part of that whether it be Bira [Dembele] or Curtis [Obeng] or John Mousinho they have all played their part and they have all worn the shirt in the right way, the winning way,” he said.

“There’s a burning desire back again, we’re playing with an ambition, with a serious intention and you can see the confidence growing in terms of the boys’ willingness and desire to win football matches.”

The last three games have been a marked improvement with seven points from nine gained, similar continual results will see Boro climb from the drop zone.

“Whenever we have been doing our work, we haven’t been good enough throughout the season,” added Westley.

“Where we are at the moment is that we are looking a much more capable side in terms of posting consistent wins.

“If you’re ambitious, and we’d love to finish the season in the top half of the table, then you have got to post back-to-back wins and you have got to be able to put winning runs together.

“We want to get to the top of the form league as soon as possible, it would be great to think we can do the work we have got to do by the end of March with seven games left, it would be terrific to be placed in the top of the form league position having put some serious back-to-back wins together so we are just focussed on that.”

And that will begin on Saturday against Tranmere before Westley’s former club Preston visit on Tuesday night.

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