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It becomes noticeable after about this stage in the season how the stats portray various elements of the team's form and I have to admit to being quite alarmed looking at the table this morning. 10 points from 8 games at home, 7 goals and 4 blanks. Indeed, in two of the games where we scored 2 (Wycombe and Colchester), we only managed 1 point.

What surprised me even more was that yesterday's gate (4091) was the 3rd highest this season - behind Coventry (1st game) and the Gimps. I've no idea what the final season ticket tally was but these stats tell me that there are very few who are paying (non STH) to get in. But why would they? We have no natural goal threat, our star player is a young kid with little or no League experience and our remit is to not lose rather than to win.

We appear to have options - a 30 man squad - but are they all as average as each other? I know we're away in the Cup but is it time for Slade to try something different to see if it might work?

Is the unbeaten run covering over an inherent fragility or ceiling of ability in the squad or the springboard to greater things?
Are we compromising attractive football for Slade to squeeze out every point he possibly can from a mediocre squad?
Are we one defeat away from loss of confidence and a string of defeats?

They say you can massage statistics to create any picture you want but the latest from Experimental 361 paint a pretty accurate picture for Town..

https://experimental361.com/2017/10/29/scatter-graphics-league-2-29-oct-2017/

The problem with draws is that a so-called good run (where we've only lost once in 10) suddenly becomes just two wins in nine and six blanks if we lose to nil at Plymouth and the questions continue.

I'd really like to believe in this run, but it feels a bit shallow if you know what I mean. It's a decent run and I'll take it - of course I would - but at no point have we actually looked convincing.

Once we beat someone 3-0 and put in a solid performance right across 90 minutes we might start to believe that this team has something.

I am far from convinced about this squad RS has assembled. We lack pace at the back, so we play deep. It takes an age to break forward, as aside from the excellent Dembele we still have no pace. We have too many centre forwards, all of which are very very poor. 33 year old Scott Vernon is starting on merit IMO, he is the only forward who can play with his back to goal, hold the ball up and link play but he isn't going to get many goals. I see Sam Jones as a number 10, the other lads are much of a muchness. JJ Hooper is awful IMO, Slade has wasted money on strikers that are below average and we've loads of them on the books. We are a poor side, though they are showing some spirit to be fair.

Quoted from 75

I am far from convinced about this squad RS has assembled. We lack pace at the back, so we play deep. It takes an age to break forward, as aside from the excellent Dembele we still have no pace. We have too many centre forwards, all of which are very very poor. 33 year old Scott Vernon is starting on merit IMO, he is the only forward who can play with his back to goal, hold the ball up and link play but he isn't going to get many goals. I see Sam Jones as a number 10, the other lads are much of a muchness. JJ Hooper is awful IMO, Slade has wasted money on strikers that are below average and we've loads of them on the books. We are a poor side, though they are showing some spirit to be fair.

I really like Dembele but his asset is pace over a short distance. Yesterday's yellow for a foul on him was as a direct result of him not having the sustained pace to take him away from a challenge.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I really like Dembele but his asset is pace over a short distance. Yesterday's yellow for a foul on him was as a direct result of him not having the sustained pace to take him away from a challenge.

on Football Manager 2018, his acceleration should be set at 18, his pace at 16 IMO, he's very quick but I take your point about his initial burst. He changes direction so quickly and has quick feet. It's a joy watching him at times, he thinks quicker than the lads who have played 200 more league games than his 12 or so, people talk about the lack of an end product which I understand, but how much of it is the other players are not on his wavelength? He is too good for us and way too good for this league - enjoy him while you can.

Quoted from 75

on Football Manager 2018, his acceleration should be set at 18, his pace at 16 IMO, he's very quick but I take your point about his initial burst. He changes direction so quickly and has quick feet. It's a joy watching him at times, he thinks quicker than the lads who have played 200 more league games than his 12 or so, people talk about the lack of an end product which I understand, but how much of it is the other players are not on his wavelength? He is too good for us and way too good for this league - enjoy him while you can.

He is not too good for us at all. Why do you think nobody else has snapped him up before now if he was a world beater? He is an exciting prospect, but nothing more than that.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

He is not too good for us at all. Why do you think nobody else has snapped him up before now if he was a world beater? He is an exciting prospect, but nothing more than that.

All about opinions mate, the truth is probably somewhere between mine and yours.

Quoted from 75

All about opinions mate, the truth is probably somewhere between mine and yours.

More towards mine I reckon.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

More towards mine I reckon.

Well, you would. That's why it's your opinion.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I really like Dembele but his asset is pace over a short distance. Yesterday's yellow for a foul on him was as a direct result of him not having the sustained pace to take him away from a challenge.

I think the defender knew, if he didn’t take him down when he did, Dembele was away.

Grimsby Town fans only start to turn up in more than average numbers when the team is in a good run of form, ie, when they’re more likely to see a win.

There was little difference between when we were struggling in the second tier, to when we were doing well in the conference. Last season was different as it was a first season back in the league. Now we’re just another league 2 side and the crowds won’t pick up unless we start winning more games and hitting promotion form.

Contrary to popular local opinion, unfortunately we are not the greatest supporters in the country.

We're still pretty good though ;)

Quoted from sam gy

Contrary to popular local opinion, unfortunately we are not the greatest supporters in the country.

We are the best in Grimsby & Cleethorpes though

If we were drawing our games 2-2 instead of 0-0 more fans would turn up,

BUT

Managers like to keep things tight and to them 0-0 is better than 2-2,

So what we have to do is score the 2 but keep a clean sheet,

Then everybody will be happy. 8)