League sponsors Vanarama offer some answers about the actual importance of the first seven weeks!
We’re very nearly at a quarter of the way through already – exactly where these first seven weeks have gone is anybody’s guess.
There’s no doubt things have improved for the Shots, even if fans have yet to have a home win to enjoy. Danny Searle seems to really be getting his feet under the table – and the stats back that up.
We’ve been taking a closer look at the starts made over the years and if we really should be reading anything into them. Stay with us here!
First, let’s compare the opening seven weeks of last season to what we’ve seen so far this term.
Well, the team have one more point on board than in September 2018 and even if six losses so far are disappointing, it’s one less than a year ago. The new-look Shots have scored a goal more and, interestingly, let in five less than 12 months ago.
Of course the club’s best start in recent years came in 2017-18. They were top after 11 matches with 20 points under Gary Waddock. In the end they had to settle for a fifth place finish.
The year before they also ended the season in fifth after securing 19 points from a possible 33 to kick-off the season.
The team had very solid 17 points on the board from the first 11 National League matches in 2015-16 but in the end they could only register a 15th place finish.
So what exactly can we read into a start to the season?
Let’s revisit last September again and have a little look. This time last year the team leading the way were Harrogate Town with 25 points and seven wins. They ended in sixth.
Wrexham will say the first six or so weeks gives us no insight at all – a good job looking at their start to the new campaign.
The Dragons were second, winning seven of their first 11. A few months and a few managers later, they finished in fifth and limped out in the play-offs in the Eliminator.
Eventual champions Leyton Orient were third, just a few points behind, with Salford City, who would go on to take the second promotion slot, sitting just behind them.
