The statistics for this season’s appearances make interesting reading.
| League | League | Cup | Cup | Total | Total | Total | |
| Starts | Sub | Starts | Subs | Starts | Subs | ||
| Apps | |||||||
| Marshall | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Corrigan | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Partridge | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Hammell | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Leitch | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Pearson | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Clarkson | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| Lasley | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Craig | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 11 |
| Craigan | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Adams | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Burns | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| Dair | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Wright | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| McFadden | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Quinn | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| McDonald | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Fagan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
The data is from the Official Site and it shows clearly that we have relied on the first eleven names on the list. In total we have used eighteen players but the reliance on the team which has started the last half dozen games brings both rewards and risks.
There can be no doubt that the settled team which has delivered the goods has developed both a good understanding and spirit. They play for each other in attack and defence. They hunt in packs when the opposition has possession and press until the ball is won. Going forward they have an awareness of position. The sense each other’s presence and act accordingly.
But there are risks associated with this consistency. Players unable to command a regular starting slot must lack match sharpness and when the call comes (as surely it must) they will need a couple of games to get up to speed.
Let’s hope the run continues and the regulars manage to gather many win bonuses before we face the difficulties which could come with changing personnel.