Dino Maamria believes that his squad needs to show improved levels of discipline if they are to go onto the next level...
Speaking ahead of Saturday's home clash against league leaders MK Dons, Maamria admitted that it is an obvious aspect of needed improvement.
"We have been getting silly sending offs and silly bookings. It is something that I have to try and sort out within ourselves.
"I think we are third in the discipline table which is not good. Good teams are disciplined in everything they do. Despite that, we are up there in the league and if we just sort it out I think we can improve to be even better."
Last weekend's heavy defeat at Bury was hard to take for everyone involved.
In a largely positive season so far, it remains the biggest disapointment but Maamria says a game against local rivals who are flying high is the ideal antidote.
"I think it is perfect, I don’t think it could be a better game. It is a fantastic opportunity for us, it is a good measure to see where we are against the top of the league.
"I look forward to these games because mentally the players should be ready anyway. I haven’t got to hype up what MK Dons have and haven’t got. We know they have come down two divisions from the Championship, so they have some Championship players.
"They are doing very well and it is no secret that they are top of the league and we have got them at home. It is the perfect opportunity for us and it is going to be a good game, I am looking forward to it."
Saturday's game will see Stevenage return home for the first time in three weeks, since the dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Oldham Athletic. Maamria says that the whole squad is excited about being back at the Lamex Stadium.
"I think I have been seeing more of the bus driver than my wife! It has been a difficult three weeks away from home, it feels like a long time since we played Oldham at home.
"I am excited for the fans more than anything else, I think we all are. Our last home game had a fantastic finish to it, we were 1-2 down and we turned it around in ten minutes to win 3-2.
"It was a fantastic finish to the game, an emphatic victory and I think it was one that everyone in Stevenage would remember. Hopefully they will come back in their numbers.
"As I said, the game doesn’t need any publicity because it is a huge game, not just a local Derby."
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