Top 5

The current top 5 is Argyle, Pompey, Oxford, Mansfield, Northampton all of which we have played in the 14 games we have played so far.

We lost to Pompey (H) and Oxford (A), beat Northampton (A) and drew with Mansfield (A) so from those 4 games we have only 4 points.


In contrast Pompey have played us (A), Oxford (A) and have 4 points from their Top 5 games.

Oxford have played Us (H), Pompey (H), Northampton (A) and Mansfield (A) they have 5 points.

Mansfield have played Us (H), Oxford (A) and have 2 points.

Northampton played Oxford (H) and us (H) and have 3 points.


So even with us being top we have to assume that the fixture list has been quite unkind to us by throwing up so many away games against so many of the early season pacesetters so despite an unimpressive return from these opponents it augurs well for the future.

Did all the squads have all their best players fit? Did the weather on the of the match suit the style of play for that team? Was anybody having an off day? Too many questions not enough answers.

What is the significance of the top 5? Why not the top 3, top 7 or top 10 for example.

Alternatively we have played 8 of the current top half and won 4, drawn 2 and lost 2.

14 points from 8, just under the 2 point per game barrier which gets sides promoted.

Add that to our form against bottom half sides and we appear to be doing fine.

We have lost 3 games this season so far, and only one of those has been to a side not in the automatic promotion places.

Currently I'd take our ability to get points against the bottom 21 sides, than fret over losing to two top 3 sides.

Top 5 because we have played all of the other 4 - nobody else has. 3 out those 4 have been away from home too.

Obviously it is all very speculative but it suggests that we might have easier fixtures ahead of us than we have behind.