turns out, goals against was also a problem. still...
Goals For wasn't really a problem, we were joint 5th highest scoring team in the division, tied with the lovely Mansfield and Cheltenham on 67. Only bettered by;
Luton Twn 94
Wycombe 79 (they conceded 60 only 5 less than us)
Accy Stan 76
Notts Co 71
Understandably the top three come out on top and then it's 5th placed Notts.
Funny you mention the Goals Against because that theme seemed to be a problem through the division.
The figures show that every team in L2 this season conceded at least 46 or more goals. Meaning a minimum GA = 1.00 per game. I haven't looked at the data for previous seasons but with that mindset you could quite easily extract that if you went into every game believing you needed to score two, to win then you would be more than likely get promoted. This is proven by Luton having just over GF = 2.04 per game. However achieving just over GF = 1.50 per game was probaly enough. Champions Accy only achieving GF = 1.71. We achieved GF = 1.46 but our ratio against was too similar at GA = 1.41. A slight nudge up in GF data (to 1.50) and a nudge down in the GA (to 1.30) and we might have just sneaked those play offs.
I know it's all hindsight but having this data should Town go with an attitude of "score two mentality" or will PB (if here) sure us up and insist on his "clean sheet mentality" for next season?
Interestingly, Wycombe finished 9th last season...finished 3rd this time. It won't take much to get promoted. I would fear Silkmen and potentially Tranmere coming up more than Shakers, Cobblers, Franchise FC, or Pine Villa coming down. Out of the PO lot I back Coventry. The remaining three Exeter are probably the strongest. Anyone that finished below us we have no reason to fear and should be confident of beating next season. One from the Conference always does well and one coming down will do ok too. I'm going to stick my neck out already and put us down for a top 3 finish. A top 7 could look something like this;
1st Town
2nd Tranmere (if promoted May 12th)
3th Notts County
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4th Pine Villa
5th Exeter
6th Mansfield
7th Franchise FC
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8th Silkmen
Yep, call me deluded, i'm happy with that.