An upward trajectory?

It's easy to get carried away. When we're doing badly people bay for the mangers blood. When we're doing well people seem to think Micky Mellon is a Messiah. However, after 4 successive wins things are looking positive. We still have lots of football to come, there are another 34 League games left.

The top three clubs appear to be maintaining good form. Stevenage, the surprise package, have yet to fade away, and don't look like doing so. Orient have also been pretty faultless. Whilst Northampton have stumbled, they too seem to be keeping a grip on 3rd place. We are a quarter of the way into the season now, so the table is starting to settle down. The top three look solid. Of course, anything can happen.

Dowm at the bottom end of the table things are also taking shape. Crawley are the surprise, occupying bottom spot. However, Rochdale, Harrogate and Hartlepool all seemed to be clubs that were likely to struggle this season. Rovers play Harrogate and Dale in the next few weeks, which could mean they pick up points, but hopefully means we continue our progress. 

Of the teams who came down last season Doncaster Rovers appear to be in the strongest position, currently just outside the play offs. Wimbledon & Gillingham have both found it hard to adjust to League 2, whilst Crewe, our opponents on Friday, have yet to put together a consistent run of form. Grimsby, who gained promotion from the National League, have settled into the Division well. Stockport might also be finding their feet, having initially taken time to adjust to playing at this level. 

Bradford City, who thumped us a few weeks back, aren't quite living up to their billing as promotion favourites. They suffered a home defeat against Stockport at the weekend and much of their recent success has been down to the scintillating form of Andy Cook. Judging by their performance against us, Salford are in a false position, and Mansfield appear to be copying their pattern of last season. That leaves Carlisle, doing well and probably performing against expectations. 

As it stands we sit just outside of the playoff places. Barrow and Swindon occupy the spaces above. They must be putting something in the Cumbrian water supply, like Carlisle, Barrow seem to be exceeding expectations. Swindon, who have just announced they are debt free, should never be written off. 

We hit the halfway stage of the season on Boxing Day. It's hard to tell how the next dozen matches will go. If we maintain our current form we should be looking at challenging for the automatic promotion spots by then. On the other hand Tranmere always shock us, and not in a good way. Our current squad are young, and will need to mature quickly if we are to move upwards. Here's hoping.