Following on from our popular National League Q1 report we find ourselves at the halfway point in what is becoming a quite fascinating season.
Just like our Q1 report we will cast a data led eye over every club, the managers and the players, present our updated NL team of the season so far and look ahead to the next dozen or so games and how the stats see things panning out.
Like last time, a bit of housekeeping. Firstly all data used is from Wyscout so if you see anything that doesn't add up please let us know.
Secondly, just to remind you there are approximately 600 players at clubs in the National League. With this in mind we have restricted the data to players with 500 minutes or more so far. This will mean that some players that missed out in our Q1 report could make an appearance in this report.
Finally, all the team data visualisations include every league game played up to and including 26th December 2022 and has been presented per 90 minutes. The reason for this is because at this point clubs have played differing amounts of games so to use total figures would be a misrepresentation of performance when use in comparison.
Let's get started!
Aldershot Town
Since our Q1 report Aldershot have changed managers, with Mark Molesley shown the door. Ross McNeilly initially took charge on an interim basis, but that was made permanent after a string of good results. In our Q1 Report we wrote that ‘the general consensus around the league is that Aldershot’s performances have actually been better than their results’ and under new boss McNeilly it appears they are finally getting the points to match their performances. After 13 games Aldershot were rock bottom with just 1 win, but since then the turnaround has been astounding. They’ve won 5 of their 9 games since Molesley’s departure, This has seen them rise up to 18th in the table, 6 points above safety at the time of writing.
As mentioned, new boss Ross McNeilly has been instrumental in Aldershot’s improvement in form. He has got them playing with confidence, and they aren’t afraid to go at teams. It’s seen results such as a 3-0 win away at Dorking, where the league leaders actually lost, and a 2-0 win over high flying Southend, both unexpected results. For the most part he has also shored up the defence, keeping 4 clean sheets in those 9 games. However, his side are still sometimes prone to mistakes, as shown by a 6-1 away hammering at relegation threatened Torquay. This could be put down as a freak result though, as McNeilly has got the best out of his players. They see more of the ball (45.1% in Q2 compared to 42.6% in Q1) and overall look a much stronger outfit.
Young attacker Tommy Willard is starting to come good on the expectations many had at the start of the season, scoring 4 goals in 4 consecutive games in October and November. Willard has been synonymous with Aldershot’s turnaround, as he too had a poor start to the season. The 22 year old is a direct dribbler, one with an eye for goal, and he will be targeting double figures come the end of the season.
Loan keeper Luca Ashby-Hammon continues to acquit himself well, with 80 saves to his name so far this season, 5th most in the league. Despite Aldershot’s upturn in form Ashby-Hammond is still kept busy in goal, and his acrobatic saving style has earned him plaudits so far this term.
Left back Ollie Harfield has also had an excellent season, and the 24 year old has proven to be a creative outlet from full back. Harfield has 3rd highest xA total with 5.94, showing the quality of his passing. He only ranks behind Ruben Rodrigues of Notts and Luke Young of Wrexham, showing the esteemed company he finds himself in. Harfield is able to get up and down the flanks with regularity, and he wins a respectable 59.72% of his defensive duels, showing his capability at both ends of the pitch.
Altrincham
A side that often flatter to deceive, Phil Parkinson’s men continue to play good football, and aren’t a million miles away from a playoff challenge. The Robins remain in the bottom half, 2 places better off than in Q1, but as in the first half of the season their league positioning just doesn’t do justice to their performances. They rank 8th for average possession, 51.9%, 5th for passes and 3rd for progressive runs. Most impressively they have the 3rd highest xG total, behind only Notts and Wrexham, showing how good they have been going forward. Their commitment to their attractive playing style is admirable, and for the most part has generated good results.
Phil Parkinson (not to be confused with the Wrexham manager of the same name) turned down high profile jobs in the summer in order to continue to oversee Alty’s transition to full time. So far the jury is out as to whether he made the right decision, but from an Altrincham point of view they couldn’t be happier. In Parkinson they have one of the brightest young coaches at this level, one who is already a specialist in promotion. Parkinson has his side playing possession based football, it’s easy on the eye, which gives him breathing space when the results don’t go his way. A top coach, there’s no doubt that he is the right man for the job.
In the final third Altrincham’s standout performer is undoubtedly Ryan Colclough. He leads the way across the whole league in terms of shots and dribbles, showing how key he is to Alty’s attack. His attacking output has been extremely high too; he has 12 goal contributions this season, 8th most in the league and more than any Altrincham player. This includes 6 goals and 6 assists, showing both his effectiveness in creating chances, but his ability to take them too. There’s good reason that Colclough has plied most of his trade in higher divisions, and there’s no doubt he has the ability to do that again.
The loan capture of Elliot Newby has proven to be somewhat of a revelation. In the 6 games since his arrival on loan from Stockport Newby has scored 4 and assisted a further 2, an incredible return from a midfielder. Altrincham are unbeaten in 6, and Newby has started all of these games, showing the influence he has had since his arrival. Versatile, Newby has played both out on the right but also through the centre, and his goal contributions as well as attacking threat in general make him one of the players to look out for in the second half of the season. Unfortunately for Robins fans Newby has been recalled by Stockport ahead of a permanent move in January, so he will be a big miss.
Another loanee who has caught the eye at Altrincham is Chris Conn-Clarke. The 21 year old Fleetwood midfielder is another who has been versatile for the Robins, with the young midfielder showing the ability to operate in the middle or out wide. He’s also another loan midfielder who has an eye for goal, with 5 goals and 2 assists to his name so far this season. An exciting young talent, Conn-Clarke loves to have the ball at his feet, driving at opponents, as underlined by his 115 dribbles, 7th most in the whole league. He stretches defences, and his youth and exuberance bring another element to Altrincham’s side.
In the defensive third Altrincham have one of the finest defenders in the league in 27 year old Toby Mullarkey. The English defender has shown why he was the subject of big money bids in the summer, and he has been a crucial part of their side this season. A defender who can do it all, Mullarkey is equally comfortable in possession as he is defending on the back foot. Blessed with excellent technique, Mullarkey has a great range of passing, allowing him to play 8.18 progressive passes per 90. Mullarkey is also strong in 1 on 1 defensive duels, winning 66.67%.
Barnet
The Bees were surprise early leaders in the National League, but after 6 games it looked like they had fallen back to earth, and hard. They went on a 5 game winless run, during which time they were on the wrong end of a 7-5 and 5-4 defeat. Clearly they had no issue scoring the goals, but keeping them out was a big issue. So the fact that Barnet now sit in 5th place, with a game in hand on 4th, is a testament to the great work that Dean Brennan and his team have done. They have done so by addressing the defensive issues. Since their 7-5 loss away to Wrexham they have conceded just 7 goals in 9 league games. They’ve also kept 4 back to back clean sheets in that time, showing what a turnaround it has been at the back for the Bees. They have also combined this with a strong FA Cup run, going out in the 2nd Round due to a narrow 1-0 away defeat to League One Accrington Stanley. The signs are clearly positive for Brennan and co, as Barnet have emerged as genuine playoff contenders.
Irishman Dean Brennan can be a polarising character, with his direct interviewing style, but there’s no doubt over the fine job he is doing in London. Brennan has cultivated a hard working side full of individuals with real quality. In recent weeks they have shown a real resoluteness, keeping 4 clean sheets on the spin. A large part of this has been down to Brennan’s decision to switch to a back 5 system, one he made off the back of conceding 7 away at Wrexham. It sees far more defensive solidity, due to the increased numbers they have back, and it allows Brennan to field the talented front players he has at his disposal. This usually involves having 2 technical players in behind big striker Nicke Kabamba, and to this end Brennan has got his tactics spot on. However, in terms of xG the reading isn’t as comfortable for Barnet fans.
Their xG for this season is only 28.05, 7th lowest in the league. This means they have an over performance of 13.95, something which simply isn’t sustainable. This would suggest that Barnet will slow their scoring down over the second half of the season, something which may have already begun to happen, with the Bees scoring 9 in their last 6, a downturn from the 14 in the 4 games before that. The xG against is much better reading for Barnet though, as they are only expected to have conceded 33.14 goals, 5.86 less than their actual total of 39. This suggests they will begin to concede less, and with 4 clean sheets on the bounce there is clear evidence to suggest this will be the case.
Laurie Walker leads the way for saves so far this season, and the 33 year old stopper has been excellent between the sticks for Barnet. Walker has kept 4 clean sheets on the spin, making a whole host of impressive saves, and he’s certainly been a key player for the Bees this term. There could even be an argument that Walker has been the best keeper in the whole division in 22/23, such are the level of his performances. If he maintains his shot stopping in the second half of the season there is a very good chance Barnet will be in the playoffs.
Big forward Nicke Kabamba continues to have an excellent season, and he is perhaps the best example of Dean Brennan’s good work this season. Kabamba had not hit double figures since 16/17, and he had never scored more than 7 in a season at this level. So the fact Kabamba already has 11 goals to his name at the halfway mark suggests this could be the best season of his career. At 6ft3 Kabamba is a rangy forward, but one that combines this with sublime skill and deft finishes. Kabamba has hit the target with 39.13% of his strikes, a decent return.
Barnet suffered a blow when they lost young starlet Ephron Mason-Clark to League One Peterborough, but as part of the deal 22 year old attacker Idris Kanu came the opposite way on loan. Kanu’s arrival transpired to be a master stroke, as the Sierra Leone international not only kickstarted his season but Barnet’s too. A powerful runner, at 6ft Kanu has size but also speed, and he puts it all together to present a frightening prospect for National League defenders. He’s scored 4 goals in 13 games, including an absolute stunner against Wrexham, and he could be crucial in securing a playoff berth.
Boreham Wood
Another side that are firmly in the playoff hunt are Boreham Wood, a side that sit just 2 points outside the top 7. For the Wood the FA Cup run they are currently on is bound to be exciting, but it may potentially have been detrimental to their league efforts, as they have dropped 7 places since our Q1 report. The Wood are still defensively solid, conceding just 23 goals, joint 4th best in the league, but in front of goal they have been poor. They’ve scored just 9 in their last 10 games, which has led to plenty of narrow results. If they are to steal a playoff place they need to be more ruthless in front of goal. They also need to create more chances too; they rank 13th for xG, so they simply need to be better in the final third if they are to be in the playoffs come the end of the season.
Wood boss Luke Garrard remains one of the brightest young coaches in non-league, and it appeared he had looked to become more expansive in the final third. However, it seems he has reverted to type, which isn’t necessarily a criticism, keeping his side as solid as ever defensively. The Wood have played the 7th most long passes, emphasising their direct style, but as discussed his men have been gun shy. A large part of this may be due to taking his side to the FA Cup 3rd Round, where they will have the chance to take their 2nd League One scalp, when they host Accrington Stanley. Garrard is an astute enough coach to keep Boreham Wood in the playoff race, and if he does you have to back the young coach to take them over the line when it matters.
As we mentioned in our Q1 report, Lee Ndlovu remains Boreham Wood’s main threat in the final third. The Zimbabwean forward scores 0.49 goals per 90, the same rate as Wrexham’s Ollie Palmer, joint 21st in the league. He’s the Wood’s top scorer with 7 in 18, including a brace against Oldham which stopped Boreham Wood’s goalless streak of 3 league games. His return from injury could kickstart the Wood’s season as he will spearhead their attack in the second half of the season.
Femi Ilesanmi has shown his versatility in defence this season, operating as both a wide centre half in the back 3 or as a left wing back. He has won 70% of his defensive duels, so he’s been tough to get past so far this term. In fact, most of Boreham Wood’s defenders rank highly in terms of defensive success rate, which comes as no surprise. David Stephens has won 76.56% of his defensive duels, 16th best in the league, and Jamal Fyfield has won 73.02%, 37th best. Fyfield has also popped up with some important goals, a winner away at Torquay and an equaliser at home to York.
In goal Nathan Ashmore continues to show why he could be considered the best keeper in the league. The large shot stopper has shown his agility this season, pulling off saves which shouldn’t be possible for a man his size. He has been instrumental in the Wood having the 3rd best defensive record, making 66 saves along the way this season, 10th most in the league.
Lee Ndlovu has been a talismanic figure for the Wood, and despite playing just 776 minutes he has scored 5 goals. This means he averages 0.58 goals per 90, 13th highest in the league. At the other end of the pitch Femi Ilesanmi has won 73.74% of his defensive duels and also records 12.53 successful defensive actions per 90, the 7th most in the league.
In goal Nathan Ashmore has arguably been the finest keeper in the league, and the 100kg shot stopper has prevented 3.12 goals, the 3rd most in the league. He also has the 4th highest save percentage of any keeper, 78.85%, showing the good work he is doing between the sticks.
Bromley
Andy Woodman’s physical Bromley side have potentially been the biggest disappointment at the halfway stage, despite the playoff hopefuls sitting 8th in the table. Bromley would have been looking to build on a historic 21/22 campaign, where they lifted the FA Trophy, but their season seems to have stagnated somewhat. Bromley are one of only 3 sides who have gone to league leaders Notts and gotten a point, but they are now on a run of just 2 wins in 10 games, a run that started all the way back on the 8th October. And despite playing with a back 3, it would appear their main issue is keeping the ball out. They’ve conceded 16 goals in 9 games, at a rate of just under 2 a game, so they simply have to be stronger when defending, something they managed to do last time out at Southend.
This isn’t something that is often said about Bromley, who are renowned for their physical approach to the game, but it feels like this season their opponents seem to have worked them out. It’s not all doom and gloom though. Bromley sit just outside the playoffs on goal difference, showing just how tight the league is. So while they are leaking a few too many goals, a couple more good results would see them right back in the playoff mix. You can’t write Woodman’s side off, but they’d have hoped they would be in a better position at this point in the season.
Over the summer Woodman was linked with several jobs, but he decided against moving away in favour of taking Bromley on that extra step. Whilst he hasn’t quite managed that yet, he has shown flashes of brilliance. He has used his links with clubs he coached at, namely Arsenal and Crystal Palace, well, bringing in loan players who have performed, showing his strength in recruitment. He’s also stuck with his 5 at the back system, showing loyalty to players who haven’t necessarily performed this season. In some instances this faith has been repaid, with Michael Cheek netting 3 in his last 5 matches, more than he had managed across the rest of the season combined. Woodman is a good coach, one that is likeable, and one that could get this group working. If he does, he might just drag them into the playoffs.
One of Bromley’s unsung heroes is midfielder James Vennings. The 22 year old has been an ever present this season, playing 1,834 minutes, the only player under 30 to do so for Bromley. He adds energy and robustness to the midfield, and his game is extremely well rounded. He mixes good passing range with energetic runs, and he also adds defensive solidity too. He’s completed 87.5% of his passes this season, 13th most in the league. He also wins 60.34% of his defensive duels, a more than decent return for a central midfielder. Extremely well rounded, Vennings adds some much needed balance to Bromley’s side.
Since the Q1 report Adam Marriott has added just 2 goals to his tally, but a striker who has had an upturn in form is Michael Cheek. Readers will be familiar with the talismanic forward, one who has hit double figures in each of his last four seasons. He had an extremely slow start this term, but the big forward remains as important and powerful as ever, and he also remains very much a threat in the air. 2 of his 5 goals have been headers, and as mentioned 3 of these 5 have come in the last 5 games. Clearly, Cheek is beginning to find a bit of form. This could be crucial for Bromley, and Cheek has shown time and time again that he is the man for the big occasions. His winner in the FA Trophy final at Wembley delivered the clubs biggest honour to date, and is the finest example of how Cheek can come in clutch in the big moments. He could still have a pivotal role to play in the playoff race, and if Bromley are still in with a shout with a few games to go, they know this man can rise to the occasion and score goals when most needed.
Omar Sowunmi made our Q1 Report Team of the Season So Far, and whilst he doesn’t make it into the Q2 team, he has still had an excellent season and is comfortably Bromley’s most important player. When he plays well, the rest of the team do. The 6ft 6” colossus is a strong defender, winning 61.54% of his aerial duels, but it’s his attacking threat from set pieces that marks him out from the crowd. Sowunmi has 6 goals to his name so far this season in just 17 games, or 0.32 goals per 90. This is a better scoring rate than the likes of Ryan Colclough, Danny Elliott and Ruben Rodrigues. All of this from the centre of defence. 2 of these 6 goals came in his last 2 games, so Sowunmi is clearly bang in form too.
Chesterfield
A side that is momentarily overlooked in the context of the title race, 3rd place Chesterfield should be very happy with the first half of their season. If you had offered them their points haul of 46 after 22 games they would have snapped your hand off, and they are simply unfortunate that two other sides are having freakishly good seasons above them.
Chesterfield are also the side that have performed best in the big games. They went to Meadow Lane and arguably dropped 2 points rather than gaining 1, and they comfortably dispatched Wrexham at home. Paul Cook has created a side that suits his style. His squad is mainly composed of young talent, and they spread the goals around the squad better than any other side in the division. Their joint top scorers, Kabongo Tshimanga and Jeff King, have just 6 goals a piece, and one is a striker who has managed just 731 minutes and the other is a right back. On their day they are unplayable, but the only downside to their season is the odd game where they simply don’t turn up. Halifax away, Maidenhead at home, both are prime examples of where Chesterfield simply don’t turn up, and get beaten by a single goal in a game they would usually win. If they can iron these issues out they can be a genuine force in the division.
Paul Cook has set his side apart from the other 2 big hitters by committing to a 4 at the back system. This allows him to pack his side full of attacking talent, and the introduction of veteran Mike Jones as a holding midfielder allowed this to flourish even further, providing attacking licence to right back Jeff King. It’s resulted in some strong attacking play, with goals coming from all over the pitch. They’ve scored 45 goals, 3rd most in the league, and sit 5th for xG, so aren’t over achieving too much. They also keep 54.8% of the ball on average, 4th best in the division, another sign of the good football being played in Derbyshire. They also complete the 3rd most passes per defensive action against, so they certainly like to use the ball, and keep hold of it.
As mentioned, Chesterfield’s joint top scorer has been right back Jeff King, and the 26 year old full back has undoubtedly been the best in his position. 6 goals, 5 assists from right back in a back 4 is unheard of at this level, and the manner in which he has taken these goals has been superb too. Excellent free kicks and long range screamers on his left foot, King really has got it all in his locker, and he has shown it throughout the season. He’s not just an output machine though, as he gets up and down the flank with regularity. He’s strong in the defensive third too, winning 66.43% of his defensive duels, a figure which is very high for a full back. There is an argument that King is the best full back in the division, such is the strength of his opening half of the campaign, and he has been the Spireites standout player.
Outside of right back the strongest area of the pitch for Chesterfield is the centre of midfield. Cook has gone with a 3 man midfield for the second quarter of the season, and with 4 quality midfielders at his disposal it has meant that Arsenal loanee Tim Akinola has often been left out. In fact, of outfield players he is one of only 2 players who feature in the top 7 for pass accuracy that don’t play for Notts County. His pass accuracy of 89.47% is closely followed by that of teammate Mike Jones, who completes 88.61% of his passes. As we mentioned earlier, Jones has come into the side as an anchorman, playing at the base of the midfield 3 in order to give the other players more freedom to go out and attack. The other two midfielders who have been especially impressive are Ollie Banks and Darren Oldaker, both of whom are serious contenders to be in the team of the season so far. Both exert high amounts of influence and control over a game, and both are technically brilliant. Oldaker has a pass accuracy of 87.29% and Banks 82.66%, just highlighting the quality Paul Cook has at his disposal in the middle.
Chesterfield also recently added Ash Palmer from Stockport, an experienced defender who last season won the National League. He will be hoping to make it two promotions from two, as he looks to add that little bit of extra experience and security at the back. Another mention must be given to exciting winger Jesurun Uchegbulam, who has played his part from the bench this season. The 21 year old has been content with his limited opportunities, and when he has entered the action he has frightened defences with his direct running style and blistering pace. He’s added 2 goals from the bench this season, and he may be Chesterfield’s secret weapon in the second half of the season.
Dagenham & Redbridge
Looking back on our Q1 Report summary of Dagenham it initially appeared as though we had been slightly harsh on Daryl McMahon’s side. However, the basis for the criticism came in the fact that they sat 11th despite investing heavily in the summer, and despite the fact that they were one of the favourites for the playoffs. In fairness to the Daggers, they have played the fewest amount of games in the league, but their last ldefeat provided Torquay with their first win in over a month. The statistical signs aren’t particularly great for Dagenham either. They have an xG of just 27.73, 6th lowest in the league, but they have actually scored 35, an over performance of 7.27. This would normally suggest that their current scoring rate isn’t sustainable, and therefore a possibility that Dagenham’s scoring will slow down.
They have however improved massively in the defensive third. At the time of the Q1 report they had conceded 29 goals, 3rd most in the league, but since then they’ve only conceded an impressive 7 goals, something which means they have improved to having just the 8th worst defensive record. Whilst it’s still not ideal, it is certainly a stark improvement. In the Q1 report we suggested that ‘The Daggers are the division’s entertainers’, but on both fronts they have slowed down. If they can win their games in hand they will be in with a shout of the playoffs; they sit just 1 point outside of the top 7. However, games in hand and points on the board are two very different things, so time will tell for McMahon’s men.
Significantly less pressure is on Irish coach Daryl McMahon, no doubt aided by a cup run which saw them narrowly miss out on the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. McMahon has committed to playing with a back 5, with 2 very attack minded wing backs now at his disposal following Joel Taylor’s loan arrival from Notts County. McMahon has stuck with the 3 centre back system despite not having an abundance of fit central defenders. It’s meant he’s used midfielder Harry Phipps as a makeshift defender, and while his commitment to the tactical identity could be admired others may see it as stubbornness. Despite having 5 defenders Dagenham haven’t performed too well in defence; they rank 5th for xG against, showing how often they concede high quality chances.
Dagenham have been without star striker Paul McCallum for the last few months, but 24 year old Josh Walker has stepped up in his absence. He has partnered Junior Morias up top, and between them the pair have formed one of the best strike partnerships in the division, firing a combined 14 goals between them. Both carry bags of pace, with Walker especially looking to get in behind to stretch the lines. Walker attempts the 22nd most dribbles per 90, 5.69, showing his willingness to get on the ball. Morias has had a particularly strong season, once again showing why many believe he could play in the EFL. His free kick against Wealdstone was a particular highlight, dipping the ball into the near side top corner to score one of the best goals of the season.
Midfielder Matt Robinson continues to be an ever present this season, showing why he is one of the best in the division. Robinson is all action, has an incredible engine and work rate to match. Robinson has played every minute of Dagenham’s season, the only outfield player to do so, showing his importance to that side. Robinson has played more passes than any other Dagenham player, 63rd most in the league as a whole, and he’s also won an impressive 66.25% of his defensive duels. He is strong in all aspects of the game and is a key man for the Daggers.
Dorking Wanderers
Arguably the success story of the first half of the season, Dorking have done the best of the 4 promoted sides, something a scarce few would have predicted. Marc White’s side are well followed due to the YouTube series about them, but their commitment to playing attractive football might not be mentioned enough. They’ve scored 43 goals, 12 more than any side in the bottom half, and 4th most in the division as a whole. Dorking also sit 10 points above the danger zone, so if they continue in the way they are they should ensure safety. Dorking have also played the most games of any side in the division, so only need to maintain their levels for another 22 games. Despite the positives though, Dorking are abysmal defensively. They’ve conceded the most goals in the league (55), and despite scoring the 4th most they actually have the 5th worst goal difference in the league. White’s men should be fine, but if they are dragged into a relegation scrap it will be due to defensive errors rather than an inability to score.
Owner-come-manager Marc White deserves an immense amount of credit, mainly for the way he has his side playing. Dorking like to dominate the ball and attack, as evidenced by averaging 58.00% possession, 2nd most in the league. Dorking play an attractive brand of football, and it results in goals. White is extremely good at getting his side finishing well, and they take a large amount of shots, 5th most in the league. They also like to get their wing backs forward, and get balls into their front 2. They rank highest for crosses, and 4th for touches in the box, showing they are very much a side who play on the front foot. Their tactical shape allows them to commit men forward; they play a 5-2-1-2, although the wing backs push on high up the pitch.
Dorking’s star man is undoubtedly James McShane, a player who at 31 is enjoying the best season of his career, and could be in the conversation for player of the season. Versatile, McShane normally operates as an attacking midfielder, but he’s able to play slightly deeper or up front, and regardless of where he’s played he manages to find the back of the net. McShane has 15 goals to his name, and if it wasn’t for Macaulay Langstaff having a crazy season McShane would be one of the favourites to be top scorer. He also has the 4th highest xG in the league, showing his goalscoring form is no fluke. A dangerous player, if McShane sustains his form he is sure to be of interest to a whole host of clubs; fortunately for Dorking he recently signed a new deal.
Diminutive forward Ryan Seager has played in each of Dorking’s 25 games so far this season, the only player to do so, and he’s shown an eye for goal during that time. Seager has 11 goals to his name, 6th most in the league, following on from last season where he scored 27 for Hungerford Town. At 5ft 9” Seager isn’t the biggest of forwards, but his clever movement and sharp finishing make him a real threat. Seager is extremely accurate in front of goal, and he has the 2nd best shots on target % in the league, behind only Cedwyn Scott of Notts. Seager hits the target with a staggering 62.22% of his shots, and he will be targeting 20 goals come the end of the season.
Eastleigh
Eastleigh continue to make a surprise playoff push, and they owe much of that to their fantastic home form. Eastleigh have picked up 26 points at home, 4th most in the league, and the only sides who have claimed more are the current top 3. This is a staggering 81% of all of their points, so Eastleigh are very much a side who rely on home advantage. They’ve also not drawn a game since we published our Q1 Report, so their second quarter has been quite decisive. Perhaps most peculiarly is the fact that they are the only side in the top half who have lost more games than they’ve won. It would be a genuine surprise if Eastleigh made the playoffs, but something that isn’t beyond the realms of possibility at the halfway stage.
Spitfires boss Lee Bradbury is one of the few managers who seems to change his tactical shape every week. In their last 3 games they have operated with a 4-3-3, a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-1-4-1, and he has used a 4-4-2 earlier in the season too. Whilst the shape changes, the way in which he likes to play the game does not. Bradbury likes his side to be solid defensively, soak up pressure and then look to steal the game by scoring on the break. It’s a tactic that works well at home, as buoyed by their home support their defence often holds out. They don’t tend to commit men forward in large numbers, possibly a factor behind them scoring just 27 goals. Only 5 sides in the division have scored less than Eastleigh, so their high league position is a testament to their ability to keep games close.
Eastleigh have one of the youngest sides in the division, with an average age of just 24.8 (4th youngest). They have a crop of exciting talents, especially in defence, with the likes of Corey Panter, 22, Vincent Harper, 22, and George Langston, 20. The pick of the bunch though is right back Brenna Camp, who at 22 is already gaining a reputation for being one of the best full backs in the league. Strong, quick and not afraid of a challenge, Camp wins a very impressive 65.83% of his defensive duels. He also makes 5.34 interceptions per 90, again reinforcing his importance to Eastleigh’s defence.
Shielding the back 4 is 6ft 5” midfielder Ousseynou Cisse. The huge Frenchman joined from Oldham in the summer and has even been described as the coup of the season by some. There is a suggestion he may even be the subject of interest in January, such are the strength of his performances this season. He combines height and physicality with great technique, and when he’s playing well he looks a cut above this division. A Mali international, Cisse wins 62.32% of his defensive duels, impressive for a midfielder, and also possesses a goal threat too. He has 2 to his name already this season, and he is sure to be a key man for the Spitfires.
Gateshead
When the Heed made the step up into the National League without their 2 top scorers it was always going to be tough, but even the most pessimistic Gateshead supporter wouldn’t have thought they’d be just 4 points above bottom at the halfway point. Mike Williamson deserves credit for sticking to his principles and trying to get Gateshead to play the way that got them promoted, but it’s made them too easy to beat at times. They simply haven’t got the quality to play that way this season, and it’s led them to looking ragged at times. They’ve committed the most fouls of any team, 258, and they’ve also won the 2nd fewest games in the league too (4). Perhaps most worryingly, only 5 sides have scored fewer goals than Gateshead this season, a far cry from the side that smashed in 99 goals last season. They’ve actually scored slightly more than expected too, with their actual goals tally of 28 being 1.30 higher than their xG of 26.70. This suggests they won’t start scoring any more any time soon. There are some positives to take though, as the arrival of Danny Elliott seems to have given them more threat. They scored 5 in the FA Trophy against Gloucester, so there are signs that they might be able to turn it round.
Young coach Mike Williamson is extremely unique in that he has actually played 3 games for Gateshead this season due to defensive injuries. The 39 year old player coach likes his side to play an expansive attacking brand of football, and when he gets it right it is great to watch. Gateshead rank 7th for possession, 52.50%, but despite their domination of the ball they have recorded the 3rd fewest shots. It’s therefore no surprise that they’ve struggled in front of goal. Williamson’s hands were tied when Notts County poached both Langstaff and Scott, but the major issue lies in the inability to replace them. Gateshead’s top scorer is Adam Campbell with 6, but he was already with the club, and 2nd top scorer Paul Blackett no longer plays for the club.
It’ll be no surprise to regular readers that we are going to highlight Greg Olley as Gateshead’s key man this season. He’s been missing through injury the last few weeks, but that hasn’t stopped him being one of the most creative players in the league. Olley has played the 3rd most smart passes in the league, showing what a supremely creative midfielder he is. Olley might only have the 2 assists to his name this term, a far cry from his 20 of last season, but he has shown he’s not just a creative midfielder. Olley has been robust defensively too, winning an impressive 68% of his defensive duels.
Adam Campbell has also been impressive for the Heed this season, and as mentioned he is their top scorer. He’s also one of the 2 men who have played more smart passes than teammate Greg Olley (the other being Rodrigues of Notts), showing he has creative ability too. He will be hoping to establish an understanding with new forward recruit Danny Elliott, who has looked like the Heed’s most threatening player since arriving from Boreham Wood a few weeks ago.
In defence Kenton Richardson has been the key man. He has been used in a variety of defensive positions, most commonly in the centre but also at left back and his favoured right back position. The 23 year old defender has shown real promise since arriving from Sunderland in the summer, and he’s been extremely solid at the back. Richardson has won a very impressive 71.23% of his defensive duels, showing how strong he has been at the back.
FC Halifax Town
Despite being the 2nd lowest scoring side in the division, Halifax find themselves in 14th place, just 2 points outside the playoffs. This is a remarkable turnaround from where they were in the first quarter, where they were just outside the relegation places. In our Q1 Report we wrote that Halifax ‘will be focusing on avoiding a relegation scrap’, but due to their good form there is a decent chance they will be in a playoff race.
They ranked 11th for xG in Q1, but have dropped to 17th, so the news isn’t as positive there. However, since Q1 Halifax have only conceded 9 goals, a very good effort. They’ve won 5 of their last 8, and since the Q1 Report they have only lost 3 games, all away from home, to Yeovil, Wrexham and Altrincham. After Barnet Halifax have arguably had the strongest Q2 performance considering their first quarter, and if they continue in this form they will get themselves a top 7 finish.
Former assistant Chris Millington has survived a few scares as Halifax manager, but now seems to be flourishing as boss. He has found a way to adapt the style which provided the Shaymen with a playoff space last season. And the way things are going, you wouldn’t bet against them doing it again.
Halifax have a good blend of youth and experience, and of the few remaining stars from last season Jesse Debrah has continued to excel in defence. Tall, quick and confident, Debrah has won a gargantuan 78% of his defensive duels, 12th best in the division. Debrah is confident on the ball too, and is crucial to the way in which the Shaymen build up. He has completed a tidy 76.25% of his passes, and has been at the heart of a defence which has conceded just 27 goals.
Another player who has continued his good form from last season is central midfielder Kian Spence. There is good reason he has been linked with Championship clubs, and Spence has shown his class once again this season. A silky midfielder, Spence has completed 81.04% of his passes and also won an impressive 64.54% of his defensive duels, underlining his importance to Halifax in the middle of the park. A well rounded midfielder who won’t be playing at this level for long.
6ft 7” keeper Sam Johnson conceded the fewest goals in the league last season, and whilst he may not claim this accolade again he has still put in some admirable performances. Johnson has made 53 saves, 12th most in the division, and he’s also kept 8 clean sheets, 3rd most in the league. Johnson has shown yet again what a dependable pair of hands he is, and he is sure to be crucial if Halifax are to make a late playoff push.
Maidenhead United
For a part time outfit Maidenhead continue to defy the odds, and currently sit 8 points safe of relegation. This is way ahead of target, as Alan Devonshire is simply tasked with keeping the Magpies in the division. They only sit 5 points outside of the playoffs, so they are actually closer to promotion than relegation as it stands, which is a testament to the amazing work Devonshire is doing. Only 1 side in the bottom half has won more games, and Devonshire builds his side on defensive solidity. He has also cultivated a young squad, one which works hard and has youthful exuberance.
As mentioned, Alan Devonshire is a coach that builds his sides on defensive solidity. He’s also one of the oldest coaches in the division at 66, and he could be viewed as one of the most traditional too. Devonshire usually operates with a flat 4-4-2, and often uses full backs in the wide midfield areas to provide extra solidity. Devonshire is a direct manager; Maidenhead rank 4th for long passes, and 3rd for passes to the final 3rd, showing that they look to get the ball up the field, and quickly. Devonshire is also a good recruiter, and has added young players that fit his system. Cole Kpekawa and Zico Asare are prime examples of this, young hungry defenders who embody his philosophy.
Emile Acquah is the biggest threat for Maidenhead, and is another young talent that is shining at Maidenhead. He’s also one of the best target forwards in the division, and at 6 ft 1” he poses a threat in the air. The 22 year old has 8 goals to his name, making him Maidenhead’s top scorer, and his goalscoring isn’t his only skill. Acquah is extremely strong, owing to his muscular physique, and so his hold up play brings others into play. He’s a great focal point for the side, and suits their direct play perfectly. He also has real potential, and may not be a Maidenhead player for long.
Hungarian keeper Dan Gyollai has been solid, making 47 saves along the way this term. This only equates to 1.98 per 90, 4th lowest in the league, a testament to the good work his defence does in limiting shots. Cole Kpekawa is the key man in that defence, and the left footed centre half is one of the most effective in his position. The 26 year old has won 66.67% of his defensive duels, and as left footed centre backs are hard to come by, Kpekawa is hot property.
Right back Remy Clerima is one of the most versatile players in the league, having operated in his favoured full back role, but also in the centre of defence or to the right of midfield. The Frenchman brings good experience to an otherwise youthful side, and his ability to play in a variety of roles is invaluable. The 32 year old has won 68.82% of his defensive duels and 57.27% of his aerial duels, showing what a dependable option he is for Maidenhead.
Maidstone United
Newly promoted Maidstone are in serious danger of returning there. They are one place above the relegation zone, but have played 25 games, the most in the division. The sides in the relegation have at least a game in hand, and in Oldham’s case they have 3 in hand on Maidstone. They’ve also conceded the 2nd most goals, 54, in the division, and have the worst goal difference in the whole league. That all makes for pretty bleak reading, however they do rank 10th for xG, which suggests they are at least getting something right in the final third. However, with just 21 games left to save their season Maidstone need to start picking up results; 4 losses at the bounce at this stage simply isn’t good enough.
Boss Hakan Heyrettin has plenty of credit in the bank from earning them promotion, but in the first half of this season he hasn’t inspired the Stones. In our Q1 Report we wrote that things weren’t ‘going according to plan’, and in the 12 games since he has done little to rectify it. In fairness, Heyrettin seemed to have turned things around in November, where his side only faced defeat once in 5 games, and also won 2 in that period. But a disastrous December has them sitting just above the precipice. But for now Heyrettin is just about doing his job. He has been tasked with keeping them in the division, and as things stand he’s doing so. Time will tell if this will be the case at the end of the season.
Midfielder Regan Booty has been an ever present for Maidstone this season, and in fact he has played more minutes than any player in the National League. As a result of these minutes he ranks quite highly in the passing stats, something he is aided with by the fact that Maidstone build their attacks through him. He has completed the 2nd most Deep Completions in the league, behind only Ruben Rodrigues. Booty has a cultured left foot, and it’s great to see a player once ravaged by injuries finally play plenty of football.
Maidstone may have struggled going forward but that hasn’t stopped Roarie Deacon from laying on 8 assists, joint most in the league. The 31 year old has been used in a variety of roles, even wing back, but wherever he plays he still creates. Deacon is an excellent ball carrier too; he’s attempted 118 dribbles this season, 9th most in the league, so he’s certainly a key man for Maidstone.
Notts County
The Magpies are league leaders for the second quarter in a row, and they also remain the only side to lose just 1 game so far this season after they maintained an unbeaten second quarter. They also now lead the way in terms of goals scored, 63, almost 3 per game, and they have a 4 point lead at the top, albeit having played a game more. Things are looking very positive for County so far.
They also continue to top almost all passing charts due to their style of play. Defensively they are resolute too, conceding just 22 goals, joint 3rd least in the division. They’ve also had the most shots, completed the 2nd most crosses, and overall are having a stellar season.
Manager Luke Williams must take a lot of plaudits for the work he has done at Meadow Lane. To say he’s never managed at this level before, in what is an unforgiving league, you really cannot tell. He consistently makes the right decisions and also manages his squad well. Williams has taken the direction of operating with a smaller unit, and has therefore been able to maintain squad harmony as a result. He also has decent pull as a manager too, as the recent addition of John Bostock showed.
The star man for Notts has been Ruben Rodrigues, who continues to show he is several levels above the National League. Rodrigues has 15 goal contributions, 6th most in the league and the most of any non forward. It’s in the creative charts that Rodrigues excels though. He tops the charts for key passes, smart passes and deep completions, showing how imperious he is as a playmaker. His decision making has improved this year, as has his defensive work. He's been involved in the joint 31st most defensive field and has won an impressive 60.14% of them, showing how involved he has been in that aspect of the game too. An early contender for player of the season.
Talisman Macaulay Langstaff has caught the headlines with his goalscoring form, and with 21 goals in 22 games it’s easy to see why. It’s no surprise the 25 year old forward has been linked with 7 figure Championship moves. Langstaff scores at a freakish rate, a run that has seen him score all different types of goal. He ranks 2nd for total shots taken and 7th for shot accuracy, but most importantly he leads the charts for goals scored. A true finisher, Langstaff could hit 40 goals by the end of the season.
In truth Notts have had key performers all over the pitch. Adam Chicksen is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance, scoring 7 goals, more than his career total combined, all from left back. Midfielder Matty Palmer has both played the most passes, 1914, and has the highest pass accuracy, 93.42%. Striker Cedwyn Scott has put up an impressive 11 goals making him joint 6th top scorer in the league. This also puts him at 0.76 goals per 90, 3rd best in the league behind Langstaff and Quevin Castro, both of Notts. Scott also has the highest shot accuracy in the league, 68.57%, so he is having an impressive season complimenting Langstaff. Skipper Kyle Cameron has also led by example this season. Alongside his leadership is his ability on the ball, playing the 2nd most passes in the league, and also his defensive strength, winning a massive 75.25% of his defensive duels.
Oldham Athletic
The first of the 2 sides that dropped into this league due to relegation, the Latics are staring down the barrel of yet another drop in division. Oldham may have played just 22 games, but they are also 22nd in the table having amassed just 20 points. They have the 4th worst goal difference in the league, -14, and have also scored the 3rd fewest goals. This all makes for bleak reading, and it’s even more bizarre when you consider that Oldham have by far the biggest squad in the league. Their squad is so big that recent additions Peter Clarke and Joe Nuttall had to take shirt numbers 42 and 45 respectively. Off the field issues have been the topic of conversation in Oldham for a long time, but if they don’t sort themselves out on the field they will be playing in the National League North next season.
Former Everton manager David Unsworth was a big name appointment, but one that still raised a few eyebrows. He’d never managed at this level before, and hadn’t really shown in previous jobs he had the tools to keep them up. What has transpired has been pretty close to that assessment. In the 13 league games since he took over Oldham have won just 2, one of which was against Torquay who are actually below Oldham. That run also includes 8 losses, and only 13 goals scored. It’s hardly an inspiring run of form, especially when you consider that in their first 9 games they actually amassed 11 points, 2 more than they’ve managed under Unsworth.
Oldham have a long list of players, but scarce few stand out as top performers. One constant is Ben Tollitt, who has found the net no matter the role he has played in. Used as a central midfielder, winger and centre forward at various points throughout the season, Tollitt has 9 goal contributions, joint 21st best in the league. Tollitt also continues to be one of the league’s most accurate strikers. He ranks 3rd for shot accuracy, underlining his threat.
Oldham have also recently added striker Joe Nuttall from relegation rivals Scunthorpe. The move is not only shrewd in that it makes a rival weaker, but it also guarantees goals. Nuttall has 10 goals already this season, joint 9th best, and he even scored on debut at Meadow Lane against Notts County. His goals may be crucial come the end of the season.
Scunthorpe United
Whilst it was grim reading for the first of the relegated sides, it’s even worse for Scunthorpe. They once again find themselves rooted to the foot of the table, and are another side who could realistically face back to back relegations. Scunthorpe have won a divisional low 3 games, have conceded 49 goals, 3rd most in the league, and after 24 games have just 16 points. That leaves them 5 points off of safety, but the warning signs are there already for the Iron. Off the field issues have taken their toll, and they are already onto their 3rd manager of the season. We praised how they had gone on an unbeaten run of 6 games in our Q1 report, but since then they have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 9, including 6 on the spin. They are in big trouble, and even lost top scorer Joe Nuttall to Oldham too.
Last time we praised Tony Daws for the job he had done, but since then he has stepped back from being interim boss. Michael Nelson stepped forward to fill that role, although that does mean Scunthorpe are still without a permanent manager, something which has been the case since early September. Nelson has only managed 3 league games, losing 2 and drawing 1, so there’s not a lot that can be said about his managerial stint. It’s been extremely brief, and for Scunthorpe’s sake they will hope a permanent boss will be installed soon.
Canadian-Northern Irish forward Caolan Lavery has scored all 4 of Scunthorpe’s goals in the last 5 games, something which has made him their top scorer following Joe Nuttall’s departure. Lavery is a pacey forward, who looks to get in behind defences, and of late his finishing ability has been particularly strong.
Teenage loanee Rob Apter continues to shine, and is one of the few Scunthorpe players that deserves credit so far this season. He has the rare ability to run a game on his own, and has scored in 4 of Scunthorpe’s draws. His goals come at crucial times, and for a teenager he has equipped himself well at this level. He loves to show for the ball js drive at the opposition, something which sees him rank 10th for dribbles per 90.
Vastly experienced midfielder Jacob Butterfield has shown flashes of brilliance, chipping in with 3 goals from central midfield. He’s completed 82.19% of his passes and is another player that scores when it matters most. 2 of his 3 goals have come in wins, showing his overall influence on the side. He also plays 37.77 passes per game, showing that the vast majority of the Iron’s play comes through him.
Solihull Moors
Since our Q1 Report Solihull have dropped 2 places and also have had the 4th biggest negative points per game swing of any side. They’ve won just 1 of their last 7 games, and that was against a side in the relegation zone. That being said, they still sit inside the playoffs, just, but things need to change if they are to hang onto that spot. Solihull are a side that have stuck to their principles though; they rank 3rd for average possession, 56.7%, and have also played the 3rd most passes as a result. They play good football, but for one reason or another it simply isn’t clicking right now. In the Q1 Report they were the division’s 3rd highest scorers, but they have now dropped to 8th, 5 places lower.
Losing a playoff final is likely to affect any manager, so the fact Neal Ardley has lost 2 in 3 years is likely to have hurt even more. The fact he has got his side going again and currently sits in the playoffs is a real statement of his character. He’s also committed to playing a passing brand of football and managed to retain the vast majority of his squad, another indicator he is a manager that has the backing of his players. He does however face a task in turning them round before it’s too late. Ardley is a strong recruiter, so if he needs to add reinforcements he should be capable.
Andy Dallas may be out of contract in the summer, but he’s having his best season yet. The 23 year old forward is probably the best forward in the league outside of Mullin and Langstaff, and Dallas is perhaps the most well rounded of the lot. Dallas has 17 goal contributions, 3rd most in the division. What’s most impressive is the split of these contributions; 9 are goals and the other 8 are assists. This just highlights what a well rounded forward he is. He is joint top of the assists charts, showing what a strong creator he is, and he’s also the 5th most accurate shooter in the league, 52.5%, showing how potent he is too.
Wide man Ryan Barnett has been at it again this season, and leads the way in several stats. Barnett has played 136 crosses, more than any other player. This shows how active he is in wide areas, a crucial part of Solihull’s play. Barnett also likes the ball at his feet, completing 132 dribbles. This is the 5th most in the league, once again showing his ability in wide areas. Barnett dominates in these areas, and at just 23 he has a bright future ahead of him. An electric player and a joy to watch.
Young keeper Louie Moulden has recently lost his place to Ryan Boot, who has returned from injury. This may seem harsh on a keeper who has a save percentage of 73.84%. But in fairness Boot is one of the best keepers in the league, and has proven it over several seasons. He’s made 24 saves in just 540 minutes, an average of 4 per 90, which puts him joint second for saves per 90. This shows he’s been active, and often.
Southend
At one point Southend looked like they could be the best of the rest, but a recent downturn in form has put paid to that. However, they still sit in a play off place, and should be extremely happy with their season so far despite the off the field issues. Southend’s success has been built on defensive solidity. They’ve operated with a 5 at the back system, and have conceded just 20 goals as a result. That makes them the second strongest defence in the league, an impressive achievement at this stage. Southend’s main issue lies in front of goal. They have fired in just 30, the same amount as Maidstone who sit in 20th. Their misfortunes in front of goal have cost them of late, and they now sit just 1 point above the sides chasing them, 2 of which have a game in hand. But for now the Shrimpers are in the playoffs, and should be in that conversation come the end of the season.
Kevin Maher has won plenty of plaudits this season, and it’s easy to see why. He’s finally got his side performing, and has made them one of the toughest sides to break down in the division. He recovered from a slow start and has now got them playing, especially at home. Southend keep 51.3% of the ball on average, 9th highest in the league, showing their commitment to playing a possession based style. However, this has dropped off since the Q1 Report, where they ranked 7th, suggesting they’ve gone slightly more direct in recent times. The fact they’ve conceded so few goals is no coincidence; they’ve faced the 4th least shots in the league, as Maher has got his men playing as a cohesive defensive unit.
As expected for a side who have conceded just 20 goals, their key men are mainly in defence. Polish defender Kacper Lopata was highlighted in our last report, and he’s continued to excel. The 21 year old has won an impressive 72.22% of his defensive duels, showing how strong he’s been at the back. At 6ft5 Lopata is strong in the air too, winning 63.11% of his aerial duels. He plays in the centre of the back 3, and since his arrival he has transformed the Shrimper’s fortunes.
To his right is central defender Shaun Hobson, another young defender who’s had a great season. Hobson was named the National League Player of the Month for November, after he helped his side to 4 clean sheets. The 24 year old has been extremely solid, and has won 67.18% of his defensive duels.
Winger turned wing back Jack Bridge is another that has caught the eye this season, and his positional transformation has been a resounding success. Bridge is certainly in the conversation for best left wing back in the league, and that is in spite of the fact that he is actually a natural right footer. Bridge carries incredible amounts of attacking intent due to him being a winger naturally, and often puts defenders on the back foot. Bridge plays 5.88 crosses per 90, 4th highest in the league, which just highlights his threat from wide areas. He’s creative too, playing 1.1 key passes per 90. He also ranks 2nd for dribbles per 90, 8.79, so Bridge certainly loves having the ball, and is one of the most dangerous players in the division with it.
Cav Miley has been a machine in midfield for Southend, and the all action midfielder has been everywhere this season. He ranks 2nd for the amount of defensive duels he’s been involved in, showing just how active he has been in the middle of the park. Of these 227 defensive duels Miley has won 66.96%, a massive amount for a central midfielder, once again solidifying his place as one of the finest in the league. Miley has also played nearly 1000 passes at a completion rate of 83.99%. A well rounded midfielder, Miley has been a key cog in Southend competing at the top end of the table.
Torquay United
To say this season has been a disaster for Torquay would be an understatement. Not only did they lose the majority of their key players but they also failed to adequately replace them. They’ve stuck with experienced Gary Johnson, and whilst their fan base is divided over whether or not that’s the right choice, it now appears they’ll be relying on the 67 year old to get them out of this mess. Torquay have won just 4 games, with only Scunthorpe winning fewer, and they’ve amassed just 19 points, again with just Scunthorpe earning fewer. They’re 2 points from safety, so a big result their way could change things, but they haven’t taken their chances against sides around them at the bottom. Against the other 5 sides in the bottom 6 they’ve drawn 3 and lost 3. If they can’t pick up points against the sides around them then they are going to struggle to stay in the division.
Nobody can dispute the career Gary Johnson has had. However, questions must now be raised as to whether he’s the right man for the job. The 67 year old is the oldest coach in the league, but he opted for a youthful rebuild. Torquay have the 5th youngest squad in the league, and so far Johnson has been unable to pass his experience on. He hasn’t been able to motivate his players, and he was under pressure at the time of our Q1 Report, so the fact he’s still in the job may come as a bit of a surprise. Johnson to his credit has used a variety of systems, and is clearly trying to find something that works, but as of yet he’s been unable to do so.
In our Q1 Report we highlighted Mark Halstead as Torquay’s top performer, and in the second quarter he’s been just as important. Halstead has made 74 saves, 7th most in the league, and has kept Torquay in games when they’ve struggled. He has a very respectable 69.1% save percentage, and he acquitted himself as a solid National League keeper.
To Gary Johnson’s credit he knows when and how to recruit. Two loan additions have really impressed since signing, Dillon De Silva from QPR and Mark Ellis from Barrow. De Silva is in the conversation for speediest player in the league, and he loves to get on the ball. He attempts 7.42 dribbles per 90, 5th most in the league. He’s a dangerous attacker and gives Torquay some much needed threat.
Ellis is a defender well known at this level. Tough as old boots, Ellis is notoriously good in the air. The 34 year old already has 2 goals in 9 games so not only adds defensive organisation but also a goal threat too. Ellis has won an absolutely massive 77.55% of his defensive duels and 62.5% of his aerial duels, showing what an impact he has made on the south coast.
Wealdstone
We were full of praise for Wealdstone in our Q1 Report, but almost immediately after it seemed to start going downhill for the part time outfit. However, our top boss from the Q1 Report Stuart Maynard has turned things around, as Wealdstone sit outside the playoffs only on goal difference. This is 2 points closer than last time as the Stones go from strength to strength under Maynard. They’ve continued to play their attacking, attractive brand of football, as evidenced by them registering an average possession of 54%, 5th best in the league. They’ve also dealt with losing their star man Rhys Browne to playoff rivals Woking. Browne was Wealdstone’s top scorer before he departed, so Wealdstone’s continuance of form is even more impressive.
We recognised Maynard as our manager of the opening quarter. He’s one of the most impressive coaches in the league, getting a part time team within touching distance of the playoffs. He’s done so by getting them to play passing football; Wealdstone have played 9598 passes, 4th most in the league. We also spoke last time of Maynard’s ability to get a striker scoring and then moving them on for profit. It’s a crucial part of Wealdstone’s plan, and after Browne departed Olufela Olomola has stepped up to the plate. 6 goals in 19 games isn’t a bad return, and it’s almost certain that Maynard will continue to get the best out of his players.
We spoke very highly of both Sam Howes and Jack Cook in the last report, and both have maintained their superb form this season. Howes has made the most saves in the division, 89, and a save percentage of 71.77%. Howes has been excellent, has kept his side in games on his own and continues to equip himself as one of, if not the finest keeper in the league.
Jack Cook has been a rock at the back, and he also continues to have the best season of his career. The 29 year old has 3 goals to his name, but it’s in the defensive third where he excels. Cook has won 80% of his defensive duels, an absolutely astronomical figure. That’s the 4th best defensive success rate in the league, just underlining his ability as a central defender. Cook is a leader too, and if he wants to he certainly has the ability to play at a higher level.
One of the more underrated players so far this campaign is Alex Dyer. The midfielder played under Graham Potter in Sweden, and you can see his experience when he plays. The 32 year old has competed 89.4% of his passes, 13th best in the league, showing his ability with the ball. Dyer plays 56.46 passes per 90, 7th most in the league, so once again Dyer ranks incredibly highly when it comes to passing. He is a calming influence and a consummate professional, perhaps one of the few players at this level that is truly underrated.
Woking
The Cards are surpassing all expectations, and were it any other season they would be genuine title contenders. Woking have been imperious, and currently sit in 4th place, 4 places better off than in our Q1 Report. Woking are almost guaranteed to get a playoff spot, and they’ll fancy their chances in a straight knock out scenario. Only the top 3 teams have lost fewer games than Woking, and they have the 4th best goal difference too. They are an extremely balanced side, having both a strong defence and capable attack, and it’s no surprise when you look at their manager Darren Sarll. Woking went on an unbeaten run between 22 October and 10 December in the league, typifying the strength of their season so far.
Sarll won the November Manager of the Month for Woking a whole year after he won it as Yeovil manager, showing what a top manager he is. He has cultivated an attitude of winning at Woking, and long time followers of the 39 year old would not be surprised. He was poached from Yeovil, and has never looked back. Sarll has made Woking solid, leading them to having the 4th lowest xG against. Their xG against is 22.49, just 0.51 lower than their actual conceded, suggesting they will be able to maintain their solid start. They also rank 8th for xG, so it’s no surprise that they are in the playoff mix. Bizarrely, 4 of their 6 losses have come at home. They rank 7th for home form but 3rd for away, so they are actually stronger on their travels. As such, Sarll has created a side capable of playing under pressure, a good sign if they are to head into the playoffs.
As mentioned, Woking has built their side on solid defending, and a key part of this has been central defender Scott Cuthbert. The vastly experienced 35 year old joined in the summer and has made an instant impact. Cuthbert has been a rock at the back, winning 77.98% of his defensive duels, 10th most successful in the league. He’s led his side to 4th place at the halfway mark, far beyond expectations, and his leadership and organisation has been crucial. Cuthbert has also been excellent in the air too, winning 67.14% of his aerial battles. He’s been a leader, and fully deserves the plaudits that are coming his way.
Midfield general Rohan Ince continues to impress and show that he is a few levels above the National League. A massive midfielder blessed with an excellent passing range, Ince has been a crucial cog in Woking’s promotion charge. As well as being one of the best midfielders to watch from an aesthetics point of view Ince combines his technical ability with sheer physicality. At 6ft 3” he is an imposing figure in midfield, and excels at both sides of the game. Ince wins a very impressive 65.6% of his aerial duels, an even more impressive 70.27% of his defensive duels and a more than decent 79.77% of his passes. Ince is as well rounded as they come, and is having an excellent season.
Woking are blessed with a wealth of strong attacking options. Striker Reece Grego-Cox has 9 goals already, James Daly has 6 from wide areas and Padraig Amond has 4 goals and 5 assists. However, for our money the pick of the bunch is Rhys Browne, who made a big move across from Wealdstone. Browne has 11 goals, making him joint 6th top scorer in the league. He’s already established himself as a key man at Woking, taking over penalty taking duties. Browne scored last time out, and will be looking to kick on in the second half of the season, where a career best 20 goal haul is a distinct possibility.
Wrexham
If you had told Wrexham fans at the beginning of the season that they would have 53 points at the halfway stage they would most likely have bitten your hand off. So the fact they remain 2nd in the league just goes to show how ridiculous this season has been. The heavily backed Welsh side have been immense, especially at home, where they have won 100% of their games. They also have the 2nd best away record of any side in the league, so it’s no surprise to see them right up there. They have arguably the most talented squad, and have kept the best defensive record so far this season. Keeper Mark Howard has 10 clean sheets, and Wrexham have conceded just 18 goals in 23 games, a divisional best. The Dragons are also one of just two sides to hit the 60 goal mark already, and they are potentially in a 2 horse race for the title.
Arguably the most disrespected manager in the league, Phil Parkinson has maintained Wrexham’s offensive on all fronts this season. He’s taken them to the 3rd round of the FA Cup, and has them within touching distance of leaders Notts County. Whilst he may not be the most astute tactician, Parkinson certainly knows how to get his side to win. At home they are unbeaten, and a side doesn’t achieve that by having poor management. The biggest criticism that could be thrown at Parkinson is his unwillingness to change his tactics away from home. Some may have a point here; Notts County are 7 points better off away from home. However, Wrexham still have the 2nd best away record, so Parkinson is certainly doing a good job.
Much like Notts, you could mention almost the whole side when talking about star performers. In defence there is no disputing that Aaron Hayden is having a season to remember, and is arguably the best defender in the whole league. Hayden is athletic, a good reader of the game and strong in the tackle too. It’s going forward though where he’s earned the most plaudits. 10 goals from centre back is a ludicrous goal tally, one which sees him joint 9th in the scoring charts. The 8 players above him all play upfront (with the exception of James McShane who has also operated in midfield), just showing what an achievement his goal tally is. An influential player, one who is destined to play in the upper echelons of football.
Star striker Paul Mullin has had yet another outstanding season, with 22 goal contributions, 17 of which are goals. This puts him 2nd in both goal contributions and goals scored, and the Scouse striker is showing his class on a weekly basis. Last time out he smashed a hat trick past Solihull, and Mullin’s overall game has been strong. He’s bullish, works hard and most importantly knows where the net is. If he keeps scoring at this rate he will easily pass the 30 goal mark, a truly brilliant return.
Central defender Ben Tozer often goes unnoticed in this star studded side, but he’s been at the heart of a defence which has conceded the fewest goals in the division. Tozer also possesses an extremely long throw, a weapon Wrexham exploits time and time again. He’s comfortable in possession, completing an impressive 83.77% of his passes, and he’s essential to the way in which Wrexham play.
Yeovil Town
The Glovers are the only side in the league who are yet to score 20 goals, giving them the worst attack, but they are also one of only 5 sides to have conceded 22 or less. As such, it’s fair to say Yeovil are really strong defensively, but woeful in front of goal. This makes for fairly dull viewing, but Glovers fans won’t care as long as their National League survival is ensured. The sacking of Chris Hargreaves seemed harsh at the time, but the fact they’ve been able to replace him with a coach the calibre of Mark Cooper suggests it was the correct call. However, despite the positive changes under their new boss, their xG data doesn’t make for great reading. Whilst it’s true they’ve scored 2.77 less than expected, something which suggests they’ll score more soon, they have conceded a massive 13.06 less than expected. This simply isn’t sustainable, and suggests Yeovil will start conceding more soon.
As mentioned, the recent appointment of Mark Cooper was certainly a positive one, and is arguably the coup of the season. Cooper has shown his class numerous times, managing at higher levels, and already he’s made them a harder outfit to beat. In the 8 league games since his arrival Yeovil have lost just 1, and that was by a 1-0 margin away to 4th place Yeovil. That includes an unbeaten run of 6 games, during which time they travelled to Meadow Lane, and became the first side to keep a clean sheet against the league leaders. In those 4 games they’ve conceded just 4 games, another sign of the strong start Cooper has made with the Glovers.
Any side that has conceded that few goals need a strong keeper, and in Grant Smith Yeovil have one of the best. Smith has made 80 saves, 6th most in the league. He also has an absolutely massive 78.43% save percentage, reinforcing just how strong his shot stopping is. As mentioned, he became the first keeper to keep a clean sheet against Notts County, and on that afternoon he was at his best, making save after save. His heroics have earned his side several points, and he’s been their best player so far.
Yeovil have struggled for goals, so it’s no surprise their top scorers have just 4 goals each. Centre forward Alex Fisher has used his experience and height to score goals, and he has come up big for the side when needed. At 6ft 3” he is an aerial presence, and has been a threat from corners. 22 year old Malachi Linton is the other forward with 4 goals to his name. The exciting young talent scored the winner and only goal at home to Halifax, and his goals could be crucial. Whilst Yeovil have struggled for goals, they will hope the loan signing of Jordan Maguire-Drew will improve them dramatically in that regard. A tricky attacker, the 25 year old won promotion last season with Grimsby, and was highly sought after before his move to the Glovers.
York City
A side that have really dropped off, York have had the 2nd biggest downturn in points per game since our Q1 Report. They have lost highly rated boss John Askey, who in many people’s opinions was sacked prematurely, and now find themselves in 16th place. Whilst they don’t look in any danger of even being dragged into a relegation battle they look a long way off contending for a playoff spot as they once did this season. York are about as mid table a side as it gets. They’ve scored 26 and conceded 27, neither totals particularly impressive or concerning, and they’ve won 7, drawn 7 and lost 10. In short, York have been pretty average. It’s not a bad debut season in the National League, but considering they once looked like playoff contenders York fans may be a little disappointed.
New boss David Webb has only been in charge for 1 league game, so there isn’t a great deal to talk about when it comes to the new coach. He has an incredibly impressive coaching CV, but he’s never held a top position before, so it’s somewhat of a risky appointment. His opening game was a 3-0 loss at home to Gateshead, a side who are currently in the relegation zone. It wouldn’t have been the start he would have hoped for, so it’s no wonder he said they are going ‘back to the drawing board’ following the defeat.
Midfielder Dan Pybus has been excellent for York this campaign. A real all action midfielder, no player has been involved in more defensive duels than Pybus, 283, 56 more than 2nd place. He has only won 58.66% of these, but that’s not a bad rate for a midfielder, especially considering the sheer amount he’s been involved in. The 25 year old has played 2,230 minutes too, and has been an ever present for York. Only 19 players have played more in the entire league, and he’s been a key man for the Minstermen.
Talking of defensive duels, central defender Maxim Kouogun has been involved in the 3rd most across the whole division. The 25 year old defender has won a whopping 74.87%, the 27th most successful of any player in the league. The 6ft defender is athletic, reads the game well and times his challenges brilliantly. He’s a player who has received plaudits across the entirety of the season, and it won’t be long til he draws EFL interest.
York have scored just 26 goals, and 9 of these have come from captain Lenell John-Lewis. This means he scores 34.6% of their goals, a huge amount. The 33 year old is vastly experienced, and when he hasn’t played York have struggled to threaten. At 5ft11 he isn’t the tallest of strikers, but his sticky frame makes him extremely strong. He’s also hit the target with 39.66% of his shots, so he’s a constant threat, and a key man for York.
Lets take a closer look at the data now, starting with some of the attacking stats.
The tables above show us the shots per 90 minutes and shots on target percentage (SoT%) for each club for the season so far.
As expected Wrexham, Notts Co and Chesterfield average the most goal attempts per 90 minutes, however, where Notts continue to score highly in SoT% both Wrexham and Chesterfield's shot accuracy drops. The margins are very tight but it is an indication that hitting the target more increases goal scoring opportunities, further confirmed by the fact Notts County have scored the most goals in the league to this point.
Next we can look at how these shots have affected the goal scoring metrics.
Again, we see the usual suspects at the top of the goal scoring tables with very little to separate Wrexham and Notts Co, just 0.08 goals per 90 minutes.
However, if we look at this in context with the xG data we can see that Notts are creating higher value goal scoring opportunities at 2.20 xG per 90. With The Magpies averaging 2.42 goals per 90 minutes it suggests they are pretty much scoring at an expected rate.
Wrexham are scoring 0.45 goals per 90 minutes more than expected, and whilst that doesn't sound a lot it equates to an extra 22-23 goals in a season. This would suggest that Phil Parkinson's players are either making more of the opportunities created than expected or are possibly over performing slightly in front of goal. Normally there would be a question over how sustainable that would be over the course of a season, but you get the feeling that isn't going to be a problem for the Welsh outfit.
A few interesting outliers worth a mention. Firstly Barnet who currently find themselves in a rich vein of form are scoring 1.77 goals per 90 so far this season, 0.49 more than their xG of 1.28 seeing them move firmly into the play off picture.
Halifax had a dreadful start to the season but have put in some decent performances of late, however, they are still averaging just 0.92 goals per 90 minutes. This compares to an xG that has increased slightly since Q1 to 1.23 per 90 suggesting that improved results should continue into the second half of the season.
Despite sitting a couple of places above the relegation zone Yeovil will need to dig deep if they are to avoid being dragged into a battle for survival during the second half of the season. A number of goalless draws and defeats sees the Glovers rock bottom of the goal scoring and xG tables, a worrying trend that could spell disaster if not rectified.
Moving onto the defensive stats now and, as was the case in Q1, Torquay have invited the most attempts on their goal, 15.39 per 90 minutes. However, this is an improvement on Q1 where they were shipping 19.69 shots per 90.
Notts County continue to lead the way when it comes to keeping shots at bay, restricting opponents to just 6.35 attempts on goal per 90 minutes.
Wrexham currently have the best defence, conceding just 0.75 goals per 90, closely followed by Southend who, despite losing 3 of their last 4 find themselves with the second best defence for the season so far.
Previously we produced an xPTS table compared to actual points. However, for this report we felt it was more important to see how clubs have fared in Q2 compared to Q1.
The table below shows how a clubs xG in Q2 has impacted their xPTS in comparison.
As expected both Wrexham and Notts County have actually continued to improve their xPPG since our first report.
Additionally you can see that the likes of Torquay and Aldershot for example have improved their expected performances in this quarter.
At the other end Boreham Wood appear to have dropped off a cliff in a big way and this will most likely be evident in the actual PPG gained in Q2.
Looking at the actual PPG tables below we can see how xG data helps to identify the likely performance trajectory of a club.
Halifax, Barnet and Aldershot all recorded improved xG data in Q2 meaning they also increased their xPTS in the same period. This has resulted in massively increasing their actual PPG compared to Q1.
However, Oldham, whose xG/xPTS data all pointed towards an improved Q2 actually saw a drop in their accrued PPG.
It will also be a little concerning for the likes of Bromley, Solihull, York and Boreham Wood who all suffered during this quarter.
So what does that all mean when it comes to the current standings?
Below is the National League table as of 26th December 2022. The second column shows a clubs change in league position since our first report.
No change for three top three although it does appear that both Notts Co and Wrexham are starting to stretch their legs a little.
Barnet see themselves jumping a massive 10 places to 5th and despite some recent inconsistency Southend continued to improve.
Credit also to Halifax, Altrincham and Aldershot who have improved during this period.
York City were looking like play-off contenders in Q1 but have suffered the most in Q2 dropping 9 places, closely followed by Boreham Wood who have slipped 7 places from 6th to 13th.
As the table starts to take shape at the halfway stage we can see some patterns emerging. The title challenge looks to be between Notts Co and Wrexham, although Chesterfield will no doubt have something to say about this.
There are only 3 points separating 6th down to 15th meaning the fight for play-off places should really start to heat up over the next quarter.
At the bottom it looks increasingly worrying for Scunthorpe and with Aldershot improving it means we could see the bottom 6 scrapping it out for safety. However, a continuation of the poor form seen for York could see them getting sucked into that battle.
That takes us nicely onto players and our National League best XI for the season so far.
Like our previous report we decided to go with a 3-4-1-2 formation. Not only did this allow us to get as many of the players we considered ‘must picks’ into the side, but the wing back system is the one favoured by the top 2 sides in the league so it seems the natural shape for our side.
We’ve selected players from the list based on performances, but also in keeping with our approach to football statistics. We’ve tried to eliminate bias by using quantitative data to ensure we are selecting players on merit.
Goalkeeper - Laurie Walker - Barnet
Barnet have had an incredible season, and this is in no small part thanks to their keeper. Laurie Walker has been an excellent shot stopper, making 87 saves, 3rd most in the league. He’s got a save percentage of 69.6%, a decent figure, and he’s been pivotal in pushing Barnet up 10 places since our Q1 Report, more than any other team.
Right Wing Back - Jeff King - Chesterfield
He made it there last time and he’s done it again. King has maintained his levels since our Q1 Report, so he goes into the side fairly comfortably. King has 6 goals from right back, including 2 free kicks, and he’s been the star man of the side that currently sit 3rd. He’s strong going forward and defensively, so King seems a natural selection here.
Right Centre Back - Aaron Hayden - Wrexham
10 goals from centre back and playing a crucial part in the best defence in the league, he was one of the first names in this side. To be the league’s 9th top scorer from centre back is some achievement, and when you factor in his defensive strength he’s straight into the team.
Central Centre Back - Ben Tozer - Wrexham
As with Hayden, being a crucial part of a defence which has conceded just 18 goals makes you a strong candidate for this side. Tozer has his long throw too which is a big threat, and he has 4 goals too, which is an excellent return. He’s also won a very impressive 74.19% of his defensive duels, so Tozer joins his teammate in this back 3.
Left Centre Back - Kyle Cameron - Notts County
Captain of league leaders Notts County, Cameron has been vital to the Magpies title charge, and he’s shown both leadership and ability from left centre back. He made the team last time, and is the 2nd player to return this time round. He wins 75.25% of his defensive duels, an excellent return, and he also has bundles of ability on the ball. Cameron has played 1,694 passes, 2nd most in the league, and he completes a massive 88.37% of his passes, 16th best in the whole league.
Left Wing Back - Adam Chicksen - Notts County
Last time out we said that left wing back was the toughest place in this side, and this man missed out all together. However, this time around he could not be ignored. Chicksen has had the season of his life, notching 7 league goals from left back. He’s also been solid defensively, and we don’t believe anyone could have any arguments with this selection.
Central Midfield - Cav Miley - Southend
Cav Miley has been an all action midfielder for Southend, and has been one of, if not the best defensive midfielder in the league. He’s been involved in the 2nd most defensive duels, and has won an impressive 66.96% of them. He’s also been competent on the ball, and in this side we’ve opted for balance. Miley will anchor the midfield as he has for playoff hopefuls Southend.
Central Midfield - Ruben Rodrigues - Notts County
Where do you start with this man? He’s played the most key passes, smart passes, deep completions and has the most expected assists. He also has 15 goal contributions, 6th most in the league, all from midfield. He’s also shown a defensive side to his game, winning 60.14% of his defensive duels. He’s not only the third player to make it into both the Q1 and Q2 teams but he’s also our player of the season so far and this is backed up by Wyscout who currently have him as the #1 ranked player in the league.
Attacking Midfield - James McShane - Dorking
This man made it into the Q1 team as somewhat of a surprise inclusion, but fans of the National League will be well aware of this man by now. 15 goals from midfield is just a ridiculous return, and it also makes him the league’s 3rd top scorer. He’s fired a newly promoted Dorking into safety, and if he hadn’t recently signed a new deal there would be no doubt over considerable EFL interest.
Striker - Macaulay Langstaff - Notts County
21 goals, 22 games, you can’t ask for more from a striker. The league’s top scorer, Langstaff has been potent in front of goal. A real fox in the box, Langstaff is capable of scoring all types of goals, but it’s his reading of the play and his positioning that gets him the vast majority of his goals. A striker that could genuinely break Ricky Miller’s record, Langstaff simply had to be in this team.
Striker - Paul Mullin - Wrexham
The front 3 of this side is unchanged from the Q1 team, and it’s no surprise when you consider Mullin has smashed in 17 goals this season. The man who has scored the most goals in the entirety of 2022, Mullin is a talismanic forward who is the star player in a side full of stars. A striker whose overall game is exceptionally strong, Mullin will continue to rack up the goals throughout the season.
Bench
Centre Back - Scott Cuthbert - Woking
The 35 year old has been instrumental in Woking’s 4th place position, and he has won 77.98% of his defensive duels, 10th best in the league. A real leader and strong defender, Cuthbert warrants his place in the side. He narrowly missed out on a starting spot, so will have to settle for a place on the bench here.
Wing Back - Jack Bridge - Southend
The second Southend representative in this side, we needed a wing back that covered both sides, and in Bridge we have that man. A wing back who has excelled, Bridge has played on the left flank for Southend despite being right footed. His natural foot suggests he’d be comfortable on the other side, making him a perfect option here. He’s played 1.1 key passes per 90, 4th most in the league, and the former winger still carries extreme attacking threat.
Central Midfielder - Matty Palmer - Notts County
A player who may be extremely hard done by not to be included in the first 11, Palmer has been an instrumental controlling force in the league leaders midfield. Palmer has completed more passes than any other player and also has a higher completion rate than any other player, so he’s certainly been brilliant in possession. Capable of controlling any game, and playing a few levels below where he should be, Palmer makes this side having narrowly missed out on the Q1 team.
Attacking Midfield/Winger - Ryan Colclough - Altrincham
Attack minded midfielder Colclough narrowly missed out on the first 11, and this was in part due to the system used. Colclough has attempted the most dribbles of any player in the league, and has also taken the most shots. He has 13 goal contributions, 8th most in the league, and all of this for a mid table side. Colclough has had yet another excellent start to a season, and if he doesn’t have suitors high up the leagues it will be a real surprise.
Striker - Andy Dallas - Solihull
Our bench striker for the 2nd quarter report in a row, Dallas hasn’t done quite enough to force his way into the starting 11, but he certainly deserves to keep his place on the bench. The key man for a Solihull side who sit inside the playoffs, Dallas has 17 goal contributions, 3rd most in the league, just behind the starting 2 strikers. Of these 17 constructions 8 are assists, which is more than any other player has managed. An attacker who is equally capable of creating as he is finishing, Dallas is out of contract in the summer so will not be short of interest.
Manager - Darren Sarll - Woking
A real toss up between 4 managers, Woking’s Darren Sarll just gets the nod for taking a side who finished lower mid table to 4th place at the halfway stage. The other managers considered were Luke Williams of Notts and Phil Parkinson of Wrexham, who have both obviously done an excellent job, as their sides both have more than 50 points at this stage. Dean Brennan was also a strong candidate, as he’s taken Barnet up 10 places since our Q1 Report and turned them into real playoff contenders. He too has taken a side who were lower mid table to playoff contention, so he certainly deserves a mention.
However, for us Sarll has done just enough to get the nod. He won the manager of the month in November, and has led a Woking side into playoff contention. In another season they would likely be in a title challenge, and we can’t underestimate the astounding job he’s done.
Hover or click players for more info:
Closing Thoughts
In our last report we suggested that Wrexham and Notts County would start to pull away from the chasing pack and that appears to be the case, suggesting their is no reason why either should not continue in Q3.
We also had some concerns over Chesterfield who ended Q1 with 3 straight defeats, but Paul Cook appears to have steadied the ship again and it would be dismissive not to consider them as outside title contenders.
The data also suggested that Bromley and Boreham Wood would be firmly entrenched in the play-off places and despite both clubs currently just sitting outside the top 7 it would be wrong to suggest they have had a good Q2.
Woking have rallied in Q2 and sit ominously in 4th place just 3 points behind Chesterfield, albeit having played a game more and there is no reason to believe they won't continue their solid form into Q3.
Just below Woking sit Barnet and as already mentioned they were one of the biggest winners of Q2 seeing a giant leap of 10 places since the last report.
Wealdstone have maintained their solid start and will be pleased to see themselves challenging for the play-off's. To be fair just maintaining their form in the season so far will be a big achievement.
Altrincham have improved on their Q1 performance and are another team who look like they could be serious contenders for a play-off spot if they can just find a little something extra at both ends of the pitch.
York City were looking strong at the end of Q1 and were a team we tipped to be in and around the play-off's by the end of Q2. However a drop of 9 places in the league leaves them 5 points adrift of the top 7 and their target now must surely be to establish themselves in the top half and do enough not to be entering the final dozen or so games in danger of a quick return to NLN.
Down at the bottom end things continue to look gloomy for Torquay albeit they have dragged themselves off the foot of the table at the expense of Scunthorpe who don't look like turning things around any time soon.
Of the rest both Maidstone and Gateshead will spend the next quarter trying to pull away from the relegation zone along with Yeovil and Aldershot with the latter looking the most likely to make gains over these next dozen games or so.
That pretty much wraps up our National League Q2 report. A tremendous amount of work has gone into this report, one that we feel is quite possibly the most comprehensive data led analysis of the National League.
All that remains is to thank you for reading and we would love to hear your thoughts and any feedback, simply reach out to us on twitter or use the comments section below.
Your Notts County Stats Team:
Richard - @notts_stats
Tom - @tomhwilliams23
Colin - @Colin_Sisson
Data: Wyscout