10-match segments 2025/6

Yes, we rode that first segment all the way to the playoffs, but as you say, we were consistent at a suitably high level for the rest of the season. 1.5 ppm / 69 points this season would have put us 9th, which for a newly-promoted side would still have been satisfactory.

All in all, a very enjoyable, and satisfying first season in a higher division. I was expecting consolidation and something mid-tableish, based on wondering how the returning players (and manager) would cope, and how the new players would perform. Our defensive record really was good, 50(ish) goals against is a good target to aim for -- but the offence needs sorting. I forget now on which thread it was, but a poster mentioned Lincoln's top League scorers being on 11 each (a third got 10). We had 11-10-7, so not that far off perhaps, but they scored 89 in total, we got 58. Admittedly, not all those extra goals will have been meaningful -- a 1-0 becoming, say, a 4-0 -- but I expect another 31 goals in our side wouldn't have gone amiss.

It is curious, though, that we have simply not been a high-scoring side, no matter the players or manager, even though we have had some prolific scorers. In the 45 seasons since 3 points for a win started (1981/2), only 6 times have we scored more than 70 League goals in a season (70+ 4 times, 80+ twice), and the last time was in 98/9. It does mean that the defence has to be 'on' all the time, knowing that they can allow 1 goal against at most. I expect they'd be happy if the pressure on them was lessened a bit... (I wonder if we're usual, or unusual, in this regard?)

RCB