With our jumpstart into the newly refreshed EFL League One 2025/26 season, Stevenage have certainly caught the eye of many spectators in the league with their impressive run of form so early on in the beginning of their campaign.
From gaining a crucial run of form so early on in the season, we are going to explore the reasons why Stevenage FC are currently flying at the beginning of their season and are sitting at the top of the league table, Boro have three league wins in a row under Alex Revell as they look to continue their run of form against Port Vale tonight at Vale Park.
Stevenage’s Transfer Window
Finishing in quite a comfortable position last season, finishing midtable in 14th, the Boro have clearly set high hopes and expectations to repeat their success in another sustained spot in the league from managing to gain the signatures of many talented players who are very capable of league one, therefore this is a vital reason to why they have managed to start the season so well
How have they managed to have such a good transfer window?
At the start of their transfer window, they managed to capture the signature of Jordan Houghton from Plymouth who is already having a significant impact in their midfield and bringing in plenty of his highly rated qualities and experience which are being exploited from Alex Revell’s squad. Houghtons’ experience in the division has brought a sense of calmness, leadership and controllability towards their side as he has already proven to have had a huge influence towards their playing style. Therefore, this is a great example of their successful transfer window.
Another set of huge signings that the Boro made were; Bez Lubala from Wycombe Wanderers, Chem Campbell from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Filip Marschall from Aston Villa, Phoenix Patterson from Fleetwood Town,and Gassan Ahadme from Charlton Athletic.
Most of these signings that Revell has managed to get over the line have found their way straight into his starting XI and have clearly shown their influence upon the run of form so early in the season.
Examples of the instant impacts include an impressive clean sheet for Filip Marschall in their most recent game against Northampton Town, and their huge goal scoring ability due to their newly improved attacking options proven from Gassan Ahadme making his mark against Northampton Town where he scored off the bench in a very impressive start with his new club.
Other outstanding signings have also helped increase quality and variate options around the squad, for example Phoenix Patterson being an excellent option for Revell to bring off the bench to try and influence the game whilst trying to shine his potential out of the youngster towards getting him into the starting lineup.
Furthermore, it is clear that the new attacking options have also carried a lot of threat early on including Bez Lubala showing early signs of his potential in the final third where he made his debut against Blackpool in the opening game of the season, as well as youngster Chem Campbell being rewarded a regular start in the squad due to his influence in the final third being rewarded in goals finding the back of the net
Therefore, Stevenages transfer window where they have managed to pick up vital players who are capable of shining in League One has seemed to work out so far for Alex Revell as they have clearly had a huge influence upon the squad
Stevenage’s Key Players
With a new transfer window bringing in various players who will change the system and offer different qualities around the squad, keeping their main players from last season and overall part of their squad was also another main reason they are fitting in so well at the start of this season.
Capable of keeping their main pieces of the puzzle such as Carl Piergianni, Dan Kemp and Jamie Reid in the squad has clearly given them a huge boost from mixing them into the lineup alongside the new signings that they have made as this has worked out so far for Alex Revells men.
However this leads to the question- Why are these key players such a huge importance in Stevenage’s squad ?
Let’s start with the main captain and character of the club, Carl Piergianni. The heart of Stevenage’s back line has managed to make over 150 appearances for the club since joining in the summer of 2022, as he has picked up plenty of interest around the EFL due to his huge influence upon the club.
Piergianni managed to gain plenty of interest due to his excellent performances where he has managed to get the club promoted into league one during his time there in 2023.
Piergianni has also managed to gain himself a place into the EFL League Two Team of the Season in 2023 which was the same season he gained promotion with the club, and since then his pure leadership and vital part of the squad was sustained up to now where he is still managing to perform at a consistently high level for the club whilst being reliable at the back.
Bringing in physicality, leadership and exploiting his excellent defensive abilities, he is a perfect example towards one of their key players this season as Carl will try his best to bring the club into another successive season.
Another key player that they have managed to keep hold of is Dan Kemp, as he will be attempting to carry on his consistency and reliability infront of goal this season. Managing to get 2 goals and 1 assist within his first 3 games this season, the central attacking midfielder variates himself in plenty of roles and abilities as he also offers a prominent level of playmaking and chances created,perfectly suiting everything required in the role as he also knows how to provide support for the strike-force mixed alongside getting in amongst the goals proven from his 10 goals and 4 assists last season.
Therefore, Dan Kemp is another perfect example of the influence Revell has managed to maintain from his side this season from being able to keep the quality sustained in the previous campaign
Finally, another vital player that Stevenage have managed to keep hold of is target man Jamie Reid who has got off to a flying start this season.
The 31-year-old has also made 198 appearances for Stevenage as he has managed to score 56 goals for them in all competitions, proving himself to be one of the most successful and reliable strikers at the club.
Being a vital part of the squad last season as he played in 42 of their games last season scoring 8 and assisting 4, the goal scorer has already managed to get of the mark this season finding the net 3 times within 3 games.
Therefore, the forward that brings plenty of threat into the squad will be looking to cause havoc all season round for the Boro whilst hoping to maintain his reliability and form in-front of goal
These key players are another perfect example towards the success of Stevenage so early on in their season and the potential factor towards their winning mentality
Alex Revell – The Man At The Helm
Taking over the spot of Steve Evans after being made permanent manager on May 9th 2024 after a successful spell of his interim spell, Revell knew he had big boots to fill in order to maintain the level of the clubs success in League One like they did with their former experienced manager who decided to jump ship to partner up with his former club Rotherham United FC.
Knowing the requirements and expectations that Revell had on his hands, he used the pressure to utilise his squad into a comfortable 14th place last season and has gained a successful first season with Stevenage FC.
The successful position with the club was because of his exciting tactics that he brings into the club suiting the players performing in the squad.
Managing to bring in an exciting attacking style with high pressure, Alex has a huge focus upon playing forward. Balanced out with high intensity, the manager likes to create chances through well deserved patterns and has a winning mentality, which perfectly suits Stevenage FC down to their expectations and requirements of their success in League One, as Revells winning desire has worked out perfectly with his squad so far this season.
Therefore, Alex Revell is also another vital reason towards why they have been so successful so far this season.
Bringing in all of these vital elements of their success, it is clear to visualise their potential success this season and repeat their perfect beginning due to their brilliant decision making down to these reasons which have been exploited in this article
Stevenage FC look to continue their excellent start tonight away against Port Vale FC, and the real question is are they going to continue their excellent form, or are they finally going to accept defeat to challengers Port Vale who are looking for their first win this season?
