January 2025 was an odd month all told; slow to ignite on one hand, but an uplifting start to the new year on the proverbial other. Out of the revelry (no pun intended) of the windswept New Year’s Eve we had, Boro’ plonked five more fixtures on their “done” list. In the early part of the month, we couldn’t buy a goal or a win. Yet, that soon gave way to three straight wins; two of which counted for something as being in the league.
The other was the Vertu Trophy.
So, the question literally no-one is asking is: how did we stack up after 26 league fixtures in years gone by? Is this a best-seller season, cult classic collectible, or grim hammer horror?
League One comparison at this stage
Let’s take a positive look at things. Boro’ came out of December on 29 points from 21 games. That was 10 points down on last season (2023-4) and 10 points up on our worst performance in the third tier (2013-4). That’s now shifted somewhat, more so on the latter marker. We are also closing the gap in terms of Goals For when contrasted with our relegation year. And, all things considered, only being one win behind 2011-2 and 2012-3 at this stage ain’t bad.
FACT:
The collapse of the Gary Smith regime gathered speed over this five-game period during the 2012-3 season. After 21 fixtures, Smiffy’s squad were on 37 points and five ahead of where we were at in 2011-2. With another five matches under their belt, that class only added a measly three more points. And that now means 2012-3 season slips into “third-best” when it comes to an at this stage comparison. Revs’ class of today may well overtake that at next check-in.
| Season | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | GD |
| 2023-4 | 26 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 38 | 25 | 46 | 13 |
| 2011-2 | 26 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 39 | 23 | 42 | 16 |
| 2012-3 | 26 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 34 | 36 | 40 | -2 |
| 2024-5 | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 23 | 24 | 37 | -1 |
| 2013-4 | 26 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 24 | 44 | 22 | -20 |
Are there any notable lookalike seasons?
We have two lookalike seasons in which we had reached 37 points from 26 league outings. In one corner, our debut GM Vauxhall Conference campaign saw us on 11 wins and 11 defeats. It also had us on 41 goals scored, which nearly double where we’re at now. To be fair, there was a Boro’ side with Barry Hayles and Martin Gittings in it. In the other corner is Graham Westley Mk II’s first season back; one in which the playoff push was mounting nicely.
| Season | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | GD |
| 1994-5 | 26 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 41 | 34 | 37 | 7 |
| 2008-9 | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 38 | 39 | 37 | -1 |
The best and the worst after 21 games
| Season | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | GD |
| 1990-1 | 26 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 76 | 16 | 69 | 60 |
| 1985-6 | 26 | 18 | 3 | 5 | 55 | 21 | 57 | 34 |
| 1993-4 | 26 | 18 | 3 | 5 | 56 | 29 | 57 | 27 |
| 1991-2 | 26 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 54 | 28 | 57 | 26 |
The more you look at the 1990-1 campaign, honestly, the more you can’t fail to be amazed. It can be hard enough going five or 10 matches and only losing once in that period. Cloughie‘s first season as manager in the old Isthmian League Division Two North had us on 22 wins out of 26; one defeat all campaign to that point and a ridiculous 76 goals scored. The three ‘best’ that follow are respectable enough with 57 points – but pale hugely into comparison.
| Season | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | GD |
| 2002-3 | 26 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 33 | 36 | 24 | -3 |
| 2013-4 | ||||||||
| 2019-20 | 26 | 2 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 31 | 18 | -16 |
It’s probably about this point when the 2019-20 season puts its hand up and says “look how bad we really, really were”. Boro’ had two wins after 21 games… and two wins after 26 games that year. We scored one in five too; inching onto 15 goals scored. Aside from 2013-4 already discussed above, the other ‘worst’ season at this point was 2002-3. Yet, that was a side on a cusp of a recovery; seven points added between gameweek 21 and 26.
Main photo: Stevenage FC
