A quick analysis follows of where the Mariners are after 16 league games of 46 into this 2014-15 season. Naturally every Mariners fan wants to us to be unbeaten and top of the division; or at least in the playoff positions at this stage. But after 16 games we have 24 points, with 6 wins, 6 draws and 4 defeats. We'd all prefer 30+ points to sit in the top 3, but it is what it is. C'est la vie! GTFC sit 11th, but with:
- Third best Goal Difference
- Stingiest Defence
- Form: 1 defeat in 7 league games (comparable to 1st, 3rd or 4th place sides)
The Vanarama Conference table can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/conference/table
amongst other places. And here's a list of the wins, draws, losses, the opposition's current placing and my one word verdict on the outcome
The 6 wins have been against Gateshead away; 3rd, FANTASTIC
Alfreton home 23rd EXPECTED
Welling home 17th EXPECTED
Kidderminster away 8th PLEASING
Chester home 16th EXPECTED
Wrexham away 9th SURPRISING
The 6 draws; Bristol Rovers away 4th DECENT
Nuneaton home 22nd DISAPPOINTING
Dover home 18th DISAPPOINTING
Halifax away 5th PLEASING
Dartford away 19th HMMMM
Altrincham home 21st FRUSTRATING
The 4 defeats; Aldershot away 15th REFEREE!
Lincoln away 13th NIGHTMARE
Torquay home 6th DESERVED
Southport away 20th DIABOLICAL
It is a game of fine margins of course. Example#1 had we beaten Southport, they would sit second bottom with just 12 points, and we would have 27 points and be just one point off the playoffs in 6th on goal difference. GRRRR; Richard Brodie hmmmmmm.
Examples#2 to #7: we would not have expected 9 away points from trips to Gateshead, who have only lost one other time, Wrexham, on their birthday celebrations, and regular challengers Kidderminster. Such results have unfortunately been undermined by the 3 away defeats, each by the odd goal, and the 3 home draws where teams have come to Blundell Park, 'parked the bus' and found us lacking creativity or killer goal scoring instinct or both. I regularly seem to find myself at BP demanding we substitute a defender for a striker. Deja vu. (enough French references....)
Our summer signings may as well be assessed here too;
Early contender for player of the season; Carl Magnay, not just versatile, but accomplished and committed throughout the back 4.
Toto Nsiala; inconsistent, but has had some immense performances. Too many bookings no doubt.
Craig Clay; impressive, settled in to defy the pre-season critics, a bit of a find!
Scott Brown; has easily filled the Scott Kerr role, similar but better; like the Kerr of the Cup games vs Huddersfield and Scunthorpe.
Jon Paul Pittman; sorely missed since his injury, seems to be neither target man nor poacher, but an allround handful.
Jack Mackreth; divides opinion, hopefully yet to see the best of him
Nathan Arnold; restricted mainly to cameos due to injury
The current loanees; Rhys Oates; confess I've not seen much of him yet
Danny Parslow; looked solid and perhaps even another in the Magnay mould?
Food for thought. Although the results aren't what we hoped, we are far from out of it, as there are no runaway leaders. No team has managed more than 10 wins. Ridiculously the fixture list sees us play two sides we've already played next. A pet hate of mine, how on earth can we have all 4 Dartford and Torquay home and away games played by early November. before the pointless FA Trophy has even started? And before we have played 8 (EIGHT) other Conference sides. Crazy.
UP THE MARINERS!