There's no escaping from that fact. On the subject of last season here's some interesting stats I thought I'd share:
Over November and December last season we conceded 19 goals in 9 matches. The heaviest defeat came in the 5-1 against Oldham, who were ultimately relegated last season.
From the beginning of January through to late March our defensive record was 18 conceded in 14 matches. The heaviest defeat in that run of games was the 3-0 home defeat to Rotherham, who ultimately got promoted last season.
In the remaining run of 7 matches last season we conceded 14.
Our goals conceded average went down from just over 2 goals per match from the matches played over November and December, to just 1.3 goals conceded per match over 14 matches played from beginning of January through to late March, then back up again to 2 goals conceded per match during the run in.
The better run of form was with Bunney as a regular starter, the worse runs of form were before he had been signed and after he had been dropped. Turnbull also played regularly during the improved run of form in the new year.
Pierre only played in the first 19 matches of last season, before he got injured. In that time we conceded 32 goals of which the heaviest defeat came in the 6-0 against Bristol Rovers. That's a goals conceded rate of 1.7 per match, jumping up to 2 per match following his injury.
In the first 7 matches in which Facey started following his signing, we conceded 7 goals in 7 matches, an average of 1 goal per game.
This then jumped up to exactly 2 goals per game in Facey's next 6 games after Bunney had been dropped for Buchanan.
Facey did not play in the final game against Oldham, where we again conceded 2 goals, which continued the 2 goals pg average.
Taylor and Buchanan were the only players who were regular starters in the back four during both of the worse runs of defensive form last season.
In the 32 matches where both Taylor and Buchanan played together we conceded 59 goals, an average of just under 2 goals per game.
Last seasons final average was 77 conceded in 46, or roughly 1.66 goals per match.
So far this season we have conceded 11 in 7 games, or roughly 1.6 goals per match.
Thoughts?
Can you give me a few days to get back to you on this one please? Theres an awful lot to digest.
