We’ve had another outstanding year at Boro, but there’s more to come in 2012

We began the year at the wrong end of the League 2 table but end it looking to break into the League 1 play-off places, writes Stevenage captain Mark Roberts.

It has been another unforgettable year and 2011 is one that will forever have a special place in the history of Stevenage Football Club.

There was, of course, the magnificent triumph over Premier League side Newcastle United in the FA Cup that made national headlines back in January.

That 3-1 victory gave us all the confidence to turn things around in terms of our league form as we went on to beat Torquay United at Old Trafford in the League 2 play-off final.

The progression this football club has made in the past 12 months has been outstanding and we have continued in that vein of form this season. The 2-1 defeat of Tranmere Rovers last weekend means we have now extended our unbeaten run to 11 matches.

We are currently eighth in the table and through to the third round of the FA Cup so we are in a good position as we head into the second half of the season.

There is plenty of room for improvement and we are all working hard to make that happen. Our unbeaten run is a fine example of that, and we look to the four matches where we have dropped points before all else.

Our defensive game has been greatly improved and we are always at our best when we are turning out clean sheets. That was why it was very frustrating to concede from the penalty spot against Tranmere in injury-time as that would have been our sixth consecutive clean sheet.

I know the back five get the credit but we all work as hard as one another when we are not in possession of the football.

We have added to our squad with the loan signings of Arsenal youngsters, Luke Freeman and Chuks Aneke.

They are both hungry to impress and have increased the quality and competition for places. It is always important that the training ground is a competitive environment and with the fight for shirts on a match day happening every day it helps us all to continue to improve.

The Christmas period has a special place in the football calendar and while it is a time for celebration for a lot of people, it is a busy time for us.

We travel to Colchester United and Wycombe Wanderers before the end of the year and we will be looking for the victories that will see us close the gap on the teams above us in the table.

We will, of course, be making time for our traditional Christmas Eve secret Santa. It always throws up a few surprises and I was very happy with whom I got when the draw was made.

Members of the first team squad also made the annual trip to visit the children at the Lister Hospital last week but I think the children were happier to see Boro Bear who accompanied us.

That leads me nicely onto wishing all the readers of The Comet a Merry Christmas on behalf of the whole Stevenage squad.

I hope that 2012 is our greatest year yet.

So until next time,

Robbo