Darren Sarll has been delighted with the form of his Stevenage side in pre-season and is looking forward to watching his young side progress through the new campaign.

Boro start their new Sky Bet League Two season on Saturday when Newport County visit the Lamex Stadium.

And while Sarll says this year’s build-up has not been as good as last, he is more than happy with the where they are as a team.

He said: “I definitely saw a change in the dynamic in the team from where we were last year to where we are this.

“It’s definitely changed in terms of energy and athleticism.

“I’ve been really pleased with the energy the players have put into the games and that was commented on by supporters at the recent fans forum I was at.

“I’m glad they can see what I’m seeing.”

It is that progression as a team and as individuals, and a willingness to work hard for the club that pleases him most.

But he stopped short of setting a specific target for them to aim for.

“Putting a label to a season as a Stevenage supporter is quite a dangerous game,” he said.

“We can sit here and say we want to win the league or we want to finish higher than 17th.

“But we all want to see progression, including yours truly.

“So our progression this season will be ninth, progression will be making the gap between us and the playoffs smaller again.

“But we know at Stevenage we have to do that by bringing through our young players, by giving a platform to the likes of Danny Newton, Alex Samuel and by playing an exciting brand of football that makes our supporters proud to watch us whether we’re winning or losing.

“There are so many fronts where I want to appease our viewing public and sometimes you have to understand, I can’t please you all.

“But the dynamic of the team will give a perception of a willingness to get there.

“I think that is the most important thing of all. We all want to see our lads try as hard as they can to beat our points total and position from last year.

“But I’m really looking forward to seeing how this group grows.

“I actually think we’ve got a group of players who have a real long-term feel for it and we can grow a squad.”