A recent slump?

[Salopian 1]

We are all disappointed by recent results, and many seem of the opinion that we are not playing the flowing football for which we have been known, except possibly in brief patches.

I decided to count goals in the sixteen matches since we thrashed Colchester, leaving out that 5-0 because in some ways it balanced the 0-7 fiasco.

In the sixteen games we have scored 24 goals, or 1.5 per game on average. (This compares with 83 scored in the season in 42 games, or 1.8 per game.) Our scoring frequency has dropped more than a little.

In the last 16 games we have conceded 16, or exactly one per game. (Over the season we have conded 45 in 42, slightly over one per game, but this includes the not to be repeated 0-7!) It seems that defensively we have been fairly consistent.

Why has our scoring rate dropped? There could be several explanations - other teams sussing our main routes to goal, dealing better with Hooly, etc.

What is true is that our main strikers are not scoring as frequently - Holt 6 in 11, Martin 6 in 15 (two as sub), Hooly 2 in 14.

Collectively the teriffic trio have contributed 14 out of 24 recently, - their rate of scoring is well down compared with earlier in the season. Probably the main reason is the lack of scoring by Hooly, for whatever reason.

Our performances recently have been slightly disappointing, struggling with teams at the bottom that other sides beat easily.

It is to be hoped that when Holty and Hooly are both back we can begain to trouble other defences again. It is not too late.

[Trent Canary 0]

Good analysis. Id add that the reason our scoring has gone down is simply we couldnt keep it up! At one stage recently we were on pace for 102 goals. So id say in your analysis they are victims of their early season success. But Id agree, we havent comfortably beaten anyone since the Colchester game (Bar the 3-0 win at home to yeovil). The rest has been a combination of losses, draws, late goals, and come-from-behind victories.

[ncfc90 0]

Personallly i think it''s due to the fact our midfielders are not scoring enough goals. Pretty much all of our goals this season have been scored by Hoolahan, Martin, Holt, Johnson and Doherty. The other 3 midfielders who have played pretty much all the games are Russell, Smith and Lappin. Russell has scored 1 goal all season which maybe is to be expected as he''s playing the cdm role. But Lappin hasn''t scored once which is pretty disgraceful, and Smith has scored 4. So excluding Hoolahan who hasn''t scored as frequently in recent months as he was before christmas, our 3 other starting midfielders have contributed 5 goals. And like i said with Hoolahan not being in such good scoring form recently and now being injured, coupled maybe with Holt and Martin having dips in form. Our midfielders are not scoring enough goals to help out.