National League 2021-22 Mid-Season Review

 

When you follow a division and all of its matches and manager interviews and social media feeds and everything else that comes with following 23 football clubs, it can often be difficult to sit back and take a look at the division as a whole. 

It's why I like writing up the mid-season reports. It provides an opportunity to see what is really going on across the division, look back at how the teams have developed across the campaign, pick out the good points and the bad points and get some idea of what they need to move forward and how they might finish the campaign. 

Of course, I am looking at all this from a neutral stand point. I'm watching games from afar and won't suggest I know more than the fans of each club. However, I've done my best to look at each club objectively and hopefully I'm not too far wrong in my assessments. 

I'm also aware that I'm releasing this on January 14th when there are games taking place on January 15th and 18th due to postponements so this information could be outdated pretty quickly!

With all that off my chest, please read below and find out how each club has performed in the first half of the National League campaign. I would love hear your feedback. 

Aldershot Town

Season to date: Pld 23; W 7; D 4; L 12; F 28; A 37; GD –9; Pts 25

Most starts: Liam Kinsella – 22 

Top scorer: Corie Andrews - 9

Worst discipline: Liam Kinsella – 7 yellow cards

Clean sheets: 3

Pre-season prediction: 19th 

"I was positive following the additions of Lokko and Phillips but this has clearly been a tough rebuild for Danny Searle and Aldershot who look set to begin the season with a younger, more inexperienced squad with less knowhow and playing a new system. Searle is a fine coach, however, and I think The Shots will improve as the season continues, along with a couple of additions to strengthen the team. It should be enough to keep them in the division."

Firstly, I did not expect to see Danny Searle relieved of his duties, especially after signing a new deal last season. It felt like a scenario where they would be outgunned early on before a couple of additions helped the youngster slowly find their feet. Instead, he was sacked after accruing four points from seven matches and was replaced by Mark Molesley who promptly won one of his first seven, and that came against Dover Athletic. Then something incredible happened. His squad was decimated by injury, he was forced to throw the youngsters in at the deep end and they beat Grimsby Town. Then Torquay United. Then King’s Lynn Town. Two months later and they have won five and drawn three of their last nine, propelling them away from the drop zone, giving Molesley the opportunity to bring back his experienced players at a far better pace than the situation may have allowed. The ex-Southend United and Weymouth manager will hope to replace the influential Corie Andrews after he was recalled by AFC Wimbledon – Liam Kinsella and Alfy Whittingham are top scorers in his absence with three – and to improve their home form. However, the fans will grant him time given his cult hero status, improved form and four points vs Woking during the Christmas period. A stark reminder of how quickly football can change. 

Altrincham

Season to date: Pld 23; W 7; D 5; L 11; F 36; A 42; GD -6; Pts 26

Most starts: Tom Hannigan - 22

Top scorer: Ryan Colclough & Dan Mooney - 5

Worst discipline: Ben Pringle – 4 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 2

Pre-season prediction: 18th 

My concern is that Altrincham’s squad as it stands looks similar to the one that struggled early last season – no leading centre-back, no driving force in midfield and physical option in attack. It means they could be off to another tough start to the season while they rectify some of those deficiencies. When they do, there is enough quality to pull themselves away from danger.  

It all started so well. Having got over the disastrous end to last season, Phil Parkinson and his Altrincham side won six of their opening nine league matches, including victories against Notts County and Dagenham and Redbridge and were scoring goals for fun. They’ve since won one in 14. There are valid reasons. Firstly, COVID. It hit Altrincham a little bit earlier than others and they were forced to play the live game vs Solihull Moors despite needing to make emergency signings to fulfil the fixture. Bodies returned slowly but the fixture list was unrelenting – they played Boreham Wood, Chesterfield, Stockport County (twice), Wrexham and Bromley while also playing improved Barnet, Aldershot Town and Southend United sides. They did spank Weymouth but that has proven a one-off. They are still scoring goals and that never-say-die-attitude has not left them (Altrincham have scored 12 goals in the final 10 minutes of matches, a divisional high) but defensively they are leaky – only the bottom four have conceded more than Altrincham per game. Parkinson has strayed away from his preferred 4-2-3-1 in a bid to resolve this but they haven’t looked comfortable. The second half of this season may rest on whether the side can do more to protect the back of their net. 

Barnet

Season to date: Pld 21; W 7; D 6; L 8; F 25; A 32; GD -7; Pts 27

Most starts: Mitch Brundle - 21

Top scorer: Adam Marriott – 4 

Worst discipline: Ephrom Mason-Clark – 4 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 3

Pre-season prediction: 15th 

I’m expecting chaos. I’m expecting this Barnet team to be scintillating on the attack and hopeless defensively, capable of opening teams in transition and finishing their chances while also conceding goals that will have fans tearing their hair out. As a neutral, they should be a lot of fun to watch. Will Kewell’s attacking approach reap immediate dividends? I’m not sure it will. It will be fun though.

It’s fair to say that I was half right about Harry Kewell this summer. They were definitely chaotic, hopeless defensively and having fans tear their hair out. However, the goals simply never came. Barnet were a complete mess under the Australian and it was no surprise that he was dispensed with after seven games – they were winless and had conceded 19 goals. Dean Brennan stepped down from the boardroom to the dugout in a bid to save The Bees from another horrific campaign and it has worked a treat. The defence has been prioritised with his side conceding just 13 goals in 14 matches since his arrival. They are also yet to lose back-to-back games since his arrival, showing the improvement in mentality and fitness across the side. Barnet would be 8th in the table (PPG) if the season started after Brennan’s arrival. 

Boreham Wood

Season to date: Pld 20; W 12; D 6; L 2; F 29; A 13; GD +16; Pts 42

Most starts: Jamal Fyfield, Scott Boden & Jacob Mendy – 20

Top scorer: Scott Boden - 7 

Worst discipline: Will Evans – 6 yellow cards, 2 red cards 

Clean sheets: 12

Pre-season prediction: 10th 

The Wood should improve on last season’s bottom half finish having made necessary changes to address both the balance of the team and dressing room. Each new signing appears to have a clear role in the team and the additions of Jacob Mendy, Josh Rees and Scott Boden should bring a few more goals to the party. However, this is set to be one of the most competitive National League divisions ever so Luke Garrard not only needs his players to step up but may have show more flexibility and trust in his team if they are to see off their competition in the race for the play-offs.

When Danny Hunter made his blunt assessment about Boreham Wood’s 2020-21 campaign, you wondered what would follow. It has to be said, the recruitment has been nothing short of sensational. Luke Garrard is big on organisation, defensive resilience and first contacts and his new signings have added that in abundance, along with the kind of team ethic that is usually evident during promotion campaigns. That is backed up by this side having kept 12 clean sheets, conceded just 13 goals overall and just four at home while also having won 11 and drawn one after taking the lead in matches. Availability has been key too – eight players have played more than 75% of total league minutes and the other three have only missed the cut because of longer-term injuries as opposed to niggles. It’s little wonder Garrard speaks so highly of a group that is arguably their strongest since promotion. The Wood will feel that there is no reason why they can’t push Chesterfield all the way in their bid for promotion. 

Bromley

Season to date: Pld 22; W 12; D 5; L 5; F 38; A 25; GD +13; Pts 41

Most starts: Michael Cheek - 22

Top scorer: Michael Cheek - 15

Worst discipline: Liam Trotter – 2 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 8

Pre-season prediction: 7th 

There’s a lot to like about this Bromley side. They should start the season positively, are physically imposing in defence, full of energy and tenacity in midfield with capable ball-carriers and a striker that is as close to guaranteed double-figures as they come. The majority of the squad is at a good age too. It’s just an unbelievably tough division. Bromley should be involved in the play-off shake up at the very least.

Before taking the Bromley job, Andy Woodman did a podcast with Undr The Cosh and it was one of those podcasts that was so enjoyable that I had to share it with friends. When he was announced as Neil Smith’s successor at Bromley, me and one friend in particular couldn’t help but laugh. However, the self-deprecating Woodman is proving himself to be a serious football manager. The run of one defeat in 13 last season to break into the play-offs was impressive enough but continuing that into the season is more so – Woodman has been getting plenty from these players for the best part of a year now. Furthermore, he has shown an ability and willingness to integrate younger legs into what is otherwise an ageing side (second oldest according to minutes played). I’m also a big fan of how proactive Woodman is, never settling for what he is seeing and making early changes if he believes it will give his team the edge. The challenge he and his Bromley side face in the second half of the season if they are to break into the top three is beating the sides around them – they are yet to beat any of other seven sides in the top eight. 

Chesterfield

Season to date: Pld 20; W 12; D 7; L 1; F 38; A 16; GD +22; Pts 43

Most starts: Scott Loach & Kabongo Tshimanga - 20

Top scorer: Kabongo Tshimanga - 18 

Worst discipline: Stefan Payne – 6 yellow cards

Clean sheets: 11

Pre-season prediction: 3rd 

It’s bonkers that Chesterfield have the squad that they have and yet I’ve got to write about why I don’t think they will win automatic promotion. The case for their challenge is clear. They have numerous forwards that offer different options, are physically imposing, should be strong from set pieces and in transition. However, a lot of their games were played on tight margins last season and they have to be a little more ruthless if they are to be crowned champions of a uniquely strong National League.

James Rowe has overseen an enormous turnaround since taking charge at Chesterfield in November 2020, taking a club concerned by the prospect of National League North football in 2022 to a side dreaming of a return to the Football League. There’s rarely a discussion about Chesterfield that doesn’t involve money and it’s a fair conversation to have – Rowe has certainly been backed by the club’s owners. However, we’ve seen a number of times over the years how money doesn’t automatically equal success and it’s a credit to Rowe, the recruitment team and coaching staff that Chesterfield continue to improve. The Spireites are undefeated at home, averaging 2+ points per game away from home, have kept clean sheets in more than half of their games, have scored in all but one match and have spent 46.9% of matches leading – a divisional high. The only blot on their copybook so far is the number of goals they are conceding late in matches – they have conceded more goals in the final 15 minutes of matches as they have in the other 75 combined. Chesterfield are in a very good place, have the strongest squad depth in the division, are well tuned to playing Rowe’s preferred three-at-the-back system and in Kabongo Tshimanga, Akwasi Asante and Danny Rowe, have arguably the most feared front set of strikers in the division. 

Dagenham and Redbridge

Season to date: Pld 23; W 12; D 3; L 8; F 45; A 29; GD +16; 39

Most starts: Elliott Justham - 23

Top scorer: Angelo Balanta - 8

Worst discipline: Matt Robinson – 5 yellow cards

Clean sheets: 4

Pre-season prediction: 11th 

I’ve been caught in two minds about McMahon’s side. On the one hand, there should be a more consistent selection given it’s the same group that finished last season strongly and the two players that have signed enhance the group if not necessarily the starting XI. But I do believe a promotion push will rely heavily on the same 13/14 players starting matches regularly and I have my doubts as to whether they will do that. It could lead to some chopping and changing if things aren’t going well which leads to me to believe it could be another mid-table finish.

It must be both extremely enjoyable yet highly frustrating being a Dagenham and Redbridge supporter at the moment. On the one hand, this is a team that scores goals, and a lot of them. You would never feel defeated as a supporter and it’s a positive that they aren’t just reliant on one man – Four players have scored 5 or more goals and 14 have at least one. The problem is that they can’t keep clean sheets – no side in top half has fewer clean sheets than the Daggers’ four and none of those came against top half sides. Aside from goals, it has been a streaky campaign for Daryl McMahon’s side with a start of five wins from six followed by eight defeats in 12 then four wins in five. Unlike last season, the London outfit have proven they can put a run of results together and with the number of strikers available, there is no reason their goal tally should dip. If they can find some defensive resolve, they’ll break into the top seven. 

Dover Athletic

Season to date: Pld 22; W 0; D 4; L 18; F 18; A 51; GD -33; Pts -8

Most starts: Ben Williamson – 21

Top scorer: Aaron Cosgrave – 4 

Worst discipline: TJ Bramble – 7 yellow cards

Clean sheets: 2

Pre-season prediction: 23rd 

Let’s be honest, not finishing bottom of the league table will be an achievement for Dover Athletic this season, such is the handicap they face. Given the squad at Andy Hessenthaler’s disposal, which features very few players in their prime years, I feel it could be a very difficult to job to bridge that gap. Still, Dover has a football club and its fans will be back in the stadium, which will be a victory in itself.

In truth, there’s little that can be said that isn’t blaringly obvious from their points tally. Dover Athletic have played 22 league matches and failed to win any. They are the division’s lowest scorers and leakiest defence. They have led at half-time once all season and spent just 6.9% of their total minutes leading. Their squad is a mixture of non-league journeymen coming towards the end of their careers and young upstarts hoping to use this as an opportunity to forge a professional career in the game. There is no defensive resolve, minimal technical ability, a limited goal threat and a defeatist mentality. The club’s survival was the most important thing in the summer and all involved will have known that a tough year was in store but few will have anticipated it being quite this tough. It must be so disheartening. 

Eastleigh

Season to date: Pld 21; W 9; D 4; L 8; F 26; A 31; GD -5; Pts 31

Most starts: Joe McDonnell & Andrew Boyce - 21

Top scorer: Tyrone Barnett - 5

Worst discipline: Jake Hesketh – 4 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 4

Pre-season prediction: 6th 

Eastleigh’s good work last season was built on the conditioning and consistency of the squad which bodes well for the new members of the dressing room. The spine of last season’s team remains mostly intact and I believe the new additions give Strevens more options in matches. The 41-year-old won’t let his players rest on their laurels and I’m backing them for a top seven finish.

So much for talking up conditioning, consistency and availability. Eastleigh’s play-off push last season was remarkable given how few players were used and despite a number of new additions in the summer, I expected Strevens to quickly work out his preferred XI and stick to it. Instead, injuries, suspensions and poor form have hit hard with Strevens regularly forced to not only change XI but also shape to get the best from what he has available. It has had an impact on their defensive record – Eastleigh have conceded 31 goals in 21 matches this term compared to 40 in the entirety of last season. And they are still finding goals hard to come by having scored just 26, Tyrone Barnett currently top scoring with five. All that said, there has been a steady progression down south with an opening of two wins from nine followed by seven wins in 12. Key to sustaining that form will be better results on the road – they have scored just five goals away from home and are more than a point-per-game better off at home. 

FC Halifax Town

Season to date: Pld 23; W 14; D 5; L 4; F 38; A 18; GD +20; Pts 47

Most starts: Sam Johnson, Niall Maher & Billy Waters – 23 

Top scorer: Billy Waters - 12

Worst discipline: Five on 4 yellow cards

Clean sheets: 11

Pre-season prediction: 13th 

Pete Wild has twice had FC Halifax Town scrapping for a place in the play-offs so it would be naive to write them off completely. However, he has yet again seen half of his starting XI depart this summer, losing four of his most influential footballers who also happened to score almost half of the team’s goals last season. I don’t envisage The Shaymen falling away completely but I’m struggling to make a case for them being involved in the race for promotion. Then again, that’s probably what Wild is hoping for.

Why did I doubt Pete Wild? You’d think I would have learned by now. The truth is, I’ve seen it happen a lot in the past where a club overachieves for a couple of seasons but can’t keep it going. But there’s something different about Wild and Halifax. He has made a habit out of making Halifax a home for unwanted players to flourish and he has done that again this summer, especially with Billy Waters and Jordan Slew. What Halifax do is hit sides early – they have scored first in 78% of their matches and have the best first half record in the division – and then look to kill games off – they have scored three or more goals on seven occasions. They have also shown a resilience defensively with 10 clean sheets and conceding just 18 goals. The only cause for concern is that they have conceded eight of those 18 in the final 15 minutes of matches. It was good to hear Wild speak about how he and the board have agreed not to sell anybody in January as they challenge for the title. It would be some story if they manage to get over the line. 

Grimsby Town

Season to date: Pld 21; W 10; D 3; L 8; F 32; A 23; GD +9; Pts 33

Most starts: Luke Waterfall - 20

Top scorer: John McAtee - 7

Worst discipline: Harry Clifton – 5 yellow cards

Clean sheets: 7

Pre-season prediction: 8th 

Grimsby Town are in a far better place since the takeover and the constant communication is helping to bridge the divide between the club and its fans. Paul Hurst returned to the club because of the impending takeover and has been backed to overhaul the squad, surrounding an experienced core with the commitment and energy of youth. What Grimsby lack currently is an obvious source of goals and creativity, something they will have to rectify to secure a play-off spot.

For a moment, it was perfect. Grimsby Towm’s new owners took control this summer, Paul Hurst was backed to make a number of changes to the squad and then they won nine of their first 12 to sit top of the league. Non-league? Easy. Then they lost seven in nine, dropped outside of the play-offs and Hurst has changed shape and personnel on a weekly basis in a bid to get something out of his players, leaving this side completely stripped of the identity that served them so well in the early weeks. January will require further recruitment with four summer loanees now having departed but John McAtee’s return is a bonus – he is pivotal to their chances of a play-off place. For all the negativity that surrounds the club right now, they are still just six points off a play-off position. Their season isn’t over yet but the turnaround needs to begin sooner rather than later. 

King’s Lynn Town

Season to date: Pld 21; W 3; D 2; L 16; F 19; A 45; GD -26; Pts 11

Most starts: Paul Jones - 21

Top scorer: Michael Clunan - 4

Worst discipline: Michael Gyasi – 3 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 0

Pre-season prediction: 21st 

Ian Culverhouse and Stephen Cleeve have overseen a meteoric rise at Kings Lynn Town since 2017 so watching the team be ripped apart amid off-field troubles relating to COVID will have hurt. The rebuild has been a positive one and it’s relatively easy to see from afar what Culverhouse is trying to build. However, they’ve also lost some big players and leaders are going to have emerge quickly from a youthful group. I’m also unsure about the durability of their forward players which could lead to some changes throughout the season.

On paper, everything appeared to be going positively for King’s Lynn Town this summer. Paul Jones, Dan Bowry, Pierce Bird, Ethan Coleman, Joe Rowley, Gold Omotayo and Junior Morias felt like great pick-ups and fit the 3-4-1-2 Ian Culverhouse wanted to implement near-perfectly. They played some lovely stuff and appeared to be getting away from the rot that had set in mast season following the announcement of no relegation. However, this group was struggling to protect their box and offering little threat to the opposition’s. It was nice football with no cutting edge and results got worse, a run of eight straight defeats costing Culverhouse his job. Tommy Widdrington got off to the perfect start with a 2-1 victory over Dover Athletic but defeats against Halifax Chesterfield and Notts County have followed and The Linnetts sit eight points adrift from safety and have played a game more than Maidenhead United and Wealdstone. If there is to be a turnaround, they will need to improve their defence (yet to keep a clean sheet), start games better (only side yet to lead at half-time) and get fitter (most goals conceded in the final 15 minutes). Plenty to work on, Tommy.

Maidenhead United

Season to date: Pld 20; W 5; D 4; L 11; F 21; A 39; GD -18; Pts 19

Most starts: Alan Massey – 19 

Top scorer: Josh Kelly – 6 

Worst discipline: Remy Clerima – 4 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 3

Pre-season prediction: 16th 

This is Alan Devonshire and Maidenhead United. The chances are they’re not going to be in too much trouble and if they do find themselves in a sticky situation, they’ll probably win five on the trot to haul themselves away from danger. Devonshire knows the odds are stacked against his side but they continue to go above and beyond for him and the club. They are built on strong foundations, have a couple of exciting young talents coming through and in Barratt and Dan Sparkes, two wide players with serious quality. Maidenhead should be fine.

The motto is “never write off Alan Devonshire” and it’s why I’m loathe to suggest that Maidenhead United could find themselves embroiled in a fight for survival right now. Surely there is a run of results just around the corner? It’s getting harder to see where that comes from. For starters, they have scored just five goals on the road this season. They have conceded three or more goals in seven matches. Nathan Blissett and Emile Acquah have scored one goal between them and only Sam Barratt, Kane Ferdinand and Josh Kelly have more than one goal – and the former two are injured. COVID has probably hit Maidenhead United hardest, especially being a part-time outfit, but the 1-0 victory against Bromley showed that there are signs of life at York Road now things have settled. The challenge is for the Magpies to put one of those typical Maidenhead United runs together and haul themselves away from the drop zone. 

Notts County

Season to date: Pld 21; W 12; D 5; L 4; F 40; A 25; GD +15; Pts 41

Most starts: Richard Brindley & Kyle Wootton - 21

Top scorer: Kyle Wootton - 12

Worst discipline: Callum Roberts – 6 yellow cards 

Clean sheets: 5

Pre-season prediction: 5th 

On paper, their team is exciting, particularly the front three of Roberts, Rodrigues and Kyle Wootton. Ian Burchnall, meanwhile, is a highly respected coach and there were signs of progress last season. There is enough ability to mount a title challenge for sure. Will they? I have a concern about durability and the learning curve for players and manager. I expect The Magpies to be an excellent footballing side on their day but they will have to mix it up amid physical opposition and the occasional poor pitch. Meanwhile, they have lost Jake Reeves, Michael Doyle is stepping into coaching and only one defender started more than 31 games last season. I don’t see this side not finishing in the top seven but in the toughest of National League seasons, I think County will have to make do with the play-offs.

National League clubs aren’t supposed to play football the way Notts County do. They’re a great case study into whether teams can get out of non-league attempting to mirror Manchester City rather than playing like a more typically robust non-league side. So far, it’s working. Ian Burchnall’s currently sit fourth in the points-per-game standings and his forwards are scoring goals – Kyle Wootton, Ruben Rodrigues and Callum Roberts have scored 28 combined. One curious note so far is how Notts tend to get stronger in the second half of matches – they have scored just four goals in the opening 30 minutes of matches and 28 in the second half. Evidently, they are more comfortable once games have opened up and opposition legs begin to tire – they have the second best second half record in the division and best record of turning results in their favour (1.86 points after conceding first). If Burchnall’s side are going to win promotion, they will need to resolve issues in the defence – only Richard Brindley has managed to play more than 75% of all available minutes and they have kept just five clean sheets. 

Solihull Moors

Season to date: Pld 22; W 10; D 6; L 6; F 29; A 23; GD +6; Pts 36

Most starts: Callum Maycock & Joe Sbarra - 20

Top scorer: Joe Sbarra - 11

Worst discipline: Jordan Cranston – 3 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 10

Pre-season prediction: 9th 

On the one hand, I believe Solihull Moors can genuinely challenge this season. The squad is settled after a busy 2020 and in Neal Ardley, they have a manager that knows the division and should get the backing from a squad with plenty of nous. It’s the durability of the group that worries me. If Ardley can get Howe, Gudger, Rooney, Osborne, Ball and Newton playing regularly, they have a real chance. If not, it could be a season where chopping and changing systems and personnel becomes quite common, something that isn’t conducive to building a consistent run of form.

I’m probably not too far wrong with my pre-season assessment. Whether due to fitness or preference, Neal Ardley has so far found it tricky to stick to a starting XI this season, making at least two changes for 14 of their league matches and using at least four different formations. However, this has felt like a positive campaign so far. After conceding seven goals in their opening three matches, Solihull Moors have conceded 16 in their last 19 and kept 10 clean sheets during that time. They have also played some exceptional football at times and the development of youngsters Harry Boyes, Callum Maycock and Joe Sbarra is a testament to the club. They are also the best second half team in the division, showing there is a fitness and desire amongst the group. What Ardley needs his defensive core to recover fitness to enable Jimmy Ball to play higher up the pitch and his strikers to step up – only Sbarra has scored more than three goals. That might just help them when it comes to facing off against the division’s best – their last five defeats have come against Dagenham and Redbridge, Chesterfield, Notts County, Stockport County and Bromley. 

Southend United

Season to date: Pld 21; W 6; D 4; L 11; F 19; A 32; GD -13; Pts 22

Most starts: Steve Arnold - 19

Top scorer: Rhys Murphy - 7

Worst discipline: Abu Ogogo – 3 yellow cards, 1 red card 

Clean sheets: 4

Pre-season prediction: 12th 

I expect Southend United to be a more competitive side this season. They have had more preparation time than National League clubs, did a lot of their business early in the window and most have had a full pre-season under Phil Brown. There is still a lot of work to be done before I can be convinced Southend United are a club heading in the right direction. As for the team, they should be solid enough defensively to avoid being dragged down the division but there aren’t many players in the prime years of their career and a youthful attack could be heavily reliant upon Jack Bridge and Rhys Murphy, whose availability has been hit and miss in the last two years, early on. At best, this season will be about setting the foundations for a challenge in 2022/23.

I was probably too kind with my prediction of 12th given that I expected Phil Brown to stay in charge. It was a disaster. Relying on a group of ageing players that had played so little football in recent years was never likely to go well and a change was rightly made. Kevin Maher was a surprise choice from afar but with Darren Currie, who excelled in charge at Barnet, on his backroom staff, there was always a chance this could go positively. It has taken time, but The Blues are beginning to find their feet. While some experience has been retained, particularly Jason Demetriou and Will Atkinson, it’s notable that the starting XI has gotten gradually younger and it has allowed Southend to be more progressive in possession. Dragging themselves further away from the relegation places remains the priority going into the second half of the season and key to that will be Rhys Murphy and Sam Dalby who have scored 12 of their 19 league goals. They also have to get fitter and show more resilience – Southend have scored just one equalising goal all season. 

Stockport County

Season to date: Pld 21; W 12; D 3; L 6; F 39; A 24; GD +15; Pts 39

Most starts: Ryan Croasdale - 21

Top scorer: Paddy Madden - 9

Worst discipline: Macauley Southam-Hales – 3 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 7

Pre-season prediction: 1st 

I’ve had a real tough time selecting who finishes in the top three and top seven but I’ve been pretty confident that Stockport County would win the title this season since they were knocked out of the play-offs. This is a durable squad, one that is strong defensively, adaptable depending on game state and able to unlock defences in all manner of ways. Their primary issue last season was drawing matches at home. With the fans back and an even stronger squad, I think they’ll get over that and win the title.

I posted a statistic on @nlmusings this week: Under Simon Rusk, Stockport County scored 11 goals in 12 league matches. Under Dave Conlon and Dave Challinor, Stockport County have scored 28 goals in 9 league matches. No side has scored 4 or more goals in more matches than Stockport County and all five of those games have come post-Rusk. Talk about a transformation. On paper, this is the best squad in the division. There are players should be playing in League One. Conlon and Challinor have unlocked that. They are going toe-to-toe with teams and, with the exception of defeat against Torquay United, coming out on top. That said, there are bigger challenges to come. It’s understandable as to why fans are getting giddy at the possibility of a title challenge but they have only played one of the top seven since Challinor’s arrival and can’t really afford another slip-up now. 

Torquay United

Season to date: Pld 23; W 9; D 4; L 10; F 36; A 37; GD -1; Pts 31

Most starts: Joe Lewis, Ben Wynter & Dean Moxey – 23 

Top scorer: Armani Little – 10 

Worst discipline: Chiori Johnson – 3 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 4

Pre-season prediction: 4th 

I’ve put Torquay United in almost every top half position at some point this summer. On the one hand, the Gulls are well set for a promotion challenge. Johnson will want to finish the job he started last season and to do that, he has kept a big core of last season’s side – Wynter, Lewis, Moxey, Hall, Little, Lemonheigh-Evans and Wright all remain. The unknown elements are how the group will respond to last season’s heartbreak, whether they have had enough time to recover given their season finished on 20th June and how quickly the new signings get up to speed – as mentioned above, none of them started more than 10 league matches last season. But it’s Gary Johnson. He’s been there, seen it, done it. I think they’ll be up there again.

This has been an unbelievably frustrating season for Gary Johnson and Torquay United but the tide is starting to slowly turn in his favour. They had done a good job early on of beating the sides that will finish below them in the table but couldn’t get past the better sides, despite respectable draws against Notts County, Chesterfield and Wrexham. They finally won back-to-back games in December and that included victories against Stockport County and Yeovil Town. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Asa Hall and Danny Wright have returned to fitness, a couple of summer recruits are starting to find their feet and in Armani Little, they have one of the division’s best players. The challenge now is to kick on in the second half of the season and while a play-off berth may be unlikely, they could just set themselves up for another push in 2022-23.

Wealdstone

Season to date: Pld 20; W 5; D 6; L 9; F 19; A 30; GD -11; Pts 21

Most starts: Jack Cook & Josh Umerah - 19

Top scorer: Josh Umerah - 8

Worst discipline: Ashley Charles – 8 yellow cards

Clean sheets: 7

Pre-season prediction: 22nd 

Being honest, I don’t know enough about Stuart Maynard and his coaching ability. He could completely surprise me and I’d love to see him do so. However, this is an enormous job. There has been a huge squad churn meaning Maynard will need to establish new leaders, an identity on and off the field and set his side to be competitive. That last bit will be tricky – this isn’t a squad that looks particularly outstanding technically, physically, defensively or offensively. It feels like a team that could be reliant on individual moments to win football matches and that isn’t a recipe for success.

I was adamant that Wealdstone would be relegated this summer. I just couldn’t see how this group would avoid conceding goals and how they would progress the ball into the final third. However, The Stones are outside of the relegation places at the (sort of) halfway point of the season and have avoided defeat more often than they have been defeated. Their approach has been clear – if you can stay in a game, you have every chance of avoiding defeat. Only three of their matches this season have been decided by more than one goal (defeats v Chesterfield, Torquay United and Stockport County) and crucially, they are unbeaten against sides currently 15th or lower in the table. If they are to avoid relegation, they have to do more in the final third - only Dover Athletic have scored fewer goals and Josh Umerah is far too heavily relied upon having scored eight of their 19. 

Weymouth

Season to date: Pld 21; W 4; D 3; L 14; F 23; A 42; GD -19; Pts 15

Most starts: Ross Fitzsimons – 21 

Top scorer: Josh McQuoid – 4 

Worst discipline: Ollie Harfield – 2 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 2

Pre-season prediction: 20th 

Weymouth weren’t a bad side last season but it wasn’t hard to see they had a problem defending their box – too many soft goals – and attacking the opposition’s. They rectified those issues with youth and, despite losing the core of last season’s squad, they have gone down the same route this summer. While I’m not convinced they have completely eradicated their issues at either end, the squad has improved and there is a clear identity and belief in what Brian Stock and his team are trying to achieve. It won’t be easy but I have belief they will beat the drop.

Brian Stock was sacked earlier this week and it was probably the right decision if Weymouth are serious about their survival chances. It’s been a tough gig for Stock who has shown signs of being a good coach but ultimately hasn’t backed that up with results on the pitch. While they struggled last season, it felt like The Terras were slowly growing into their National League skin and were helped by some impressive recruitment in early 2021. That hasn’t been the case this time round. There has been a lot of squad churn, new signings have largely struggled to cement their place in the starting XI and Stock has chopped and changed personnel and tactics with regularity. From afar, it feels as though Stock lacked trust in his squad and confidence gradually vanished. He leaves his side in 21st having kept two clean sheets, conceded three or more goals on eight occasions and the second most goals in the final 15 minutes of games. If that didn’t already make them look a soft touch, they also have the cleanest disciplinary record. There is definitely enough ability within Weymouth’s squad to give them a genuine chance of survival but whoever takes the reigns not only needs to restore confidence and shape but give this side an edge and make the Bob Lucas Stadium a far tougher place for opposition teams. 

Woking

Season to date: Pld 22; W 9; D 1; L 12; F 36; A 36; GD 0; Pts 28

Most starts: Tom Champion, Moussa Diarra, Josh Casey & Tahvon Campbell - 20

Top scorer: Tahvon Campbell - 13

Worst discipline: Joe McNerney – 5 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 3

Pre-season prediction: 14th 

When you see well-known names joining in quick succession, it’s easy to get a little excited. I don’t doubt Woking fans have enjoyed their approach to this window – I certainly have as a neutral. Last season felt wrong with Woking simply making up the numbers. I loved their style before that, a bit of a throwback with the aim being to outwork and out fight the opposition, winning individual battles and getting their wingers involved as quick as possible. Is what they’ve added enough to challenge for promotion? I’m not sure. It will be good to see Woking compete again, however.

For a moment, Alan Dowson looked like he’d cracked this non-league business. After two wins from their opening five, The Cards ended Chesterfield’s unbeaten start, thrashed Notts County 4-1 then saw off second place Dagenham and Redbridge in the space of a week. That crazy week feels like a long time ago now and Dowse, as he is more commonly known, has been left frustrated by his team’s inability to do the basics defensively. They have lost nine of their last 14 matches, conceded 25 goals in their last 13 and fans were left angered when the side lost at home to local rivals Aldershot Town after leading 2-1. Their more recent form has coincided with a COVID outbreak that has certainly affected at least three key players and has seen Dowson make 23 changes to his starting XI in his last seven matches having made 16 in the previous 14. The frustration with recent form will be that this side are continuing to score goals – front three Max Kretzschmar, Inih Effiong and Tahvon Campbell have scored 28 goals combined. Dowson will hope that after a couple of weeks without a fixture, things will settle down as The Cards go into the second half of the season. 

Wrexham

Season to date: Pld 22; W 11; D 6; L 5; F 39; A 23; GD +16; Pts 39

Most starts: Aaron Hayden & Ben Tozer – 21

Top scorer: Paul Mullin – 10 

Worst discipline: Harry Lennon – 6 yellow cards, 1 red card

Clean sheets: 10

Pre-season prediction: 2nd 

In Phil Parkinson, they have a manager that knows how to win promotion, how to organise a team and perform in one-off matches. The spine of the squad he inherits is strong and they should have no issues scoring goals. The big question is how this group deals with the weight of expectation – everybody will want a piece of Wrexham this season and it may cause some teething problems as the club gets to grips with its new standing.

Viewing the first half of Wrexham’s season depends on your outlook. They haven’t lost back-to-back football matches but also failed to win back-to-back matches until November. They have conceded two or more goals on eight occasions but conceded just nine in their last 11 matches. They have only lost once in nine matches at the Racecourse yet have won just four and scored only eight. From afar, this season has felt like one of gradual development. The difference with Wrexham compared to Stockport County and Chesterfield, to name two, is that their major changes came this summer rather than last season. Wrexham went into this season with a new CEO, new manager, an overhaul of the squad and, for the most part, its leaders. It takes time to implement new ideas and mentalities within a club but I do believe they are going in the right direction. The challenge for the second half of the season is to start putting away teams at home and put together a proper unbeaten run that can galvanise the fans and take them into the mix for promotion. 

Yeovil Town

Season to date: Pld 21; W 9; D 4; L 8; F 22; A 22; GD 0; Pts 31

Most starts: Max Hunt & Josh Staunton – 21 

Top scorer: Joe Quigley – 6 

Worst discipline: Dale Gorman – 8 yellow cards

Clean sheets: 8

Pre-season prediction: 17th 

Darren Sarll is in for another tough year. The majority of his dressing room leaders have gone, he hasn’t had a huge budget available to enhance his squad and poor relations between supporters and board mean there is a certain pressure to deliver on the pitch. Ultimately, I see Yeovil Town being quite flaky again, occasionally sparkling and scoring enough goals to stage off relegation fears but also conceding too many goals and struggling for consistency.

If you would have asked most people which sides were most likely to go on an eight-game unbeaten run during which they would concede just three goals, few, if any, would have picked Yeovil Town. It wasn’t a run against lesser sides either – The Glovers beat Dagenham and Redbridge, Bromley and Wrexham as they propelled themselves into the top half. The Somerset club appear to have this inner-belief and will to prove people wrong and when the going is good, those qualities shine in spectacular fashion. It’s even more impressive considering that this is such a young squad – only Aldershot Town have a younger team based on minutes played. The issues Yeovil have are budget and discipline. Their squad is one of the smallest in the division and there have been three occasions this season where Sarll has only been able to name two senior players on his bench. They also the worst have the worst discipline with 46 yellow cards and five red cards, showing that their desire to win can often come out in the wrong way. I’m curious as to what Darren Sarll can do with a bit of backing but for now, I believe he’s doing a fine job at Yeovil.