Mid-table, play-offs or somewhere in between?
Bristol Rovers have 57 points from 40 matches with almost “mirror-image” results home and away.
Finishing in the last play-off place, 6th, in Division ONE may require 75 points.
In the last 12 seasons a side achieving 75 points would be in the EFL DIVISION ONE play-offs.
The required number of points to finish in SIXTH place in each of these seasons has been:
(1). 2015/16 Barnsley – 74 points.
(2). 2014/15 Chesterfield – 69 points.
(3). 2013/14 Peterborough United – 74 points.
(4). 2012/13 Swindon Town – 73 points.
(5). 2011/12 Stevenage – 74 points.
(6). 2010/11 AFC Bournemouth – 71 points.
(7). 2009/10 Huddersfield Town – 80 points.
(8). 2008/09 Scunthorpe United – 76 points.
(9). 2007/08 Southend United – 76 points.
(10). 2006/07 Oldham Athletic – 75 points.
(11). 2005/06 Swansea City – 71 points.
(12). 2004/05 Hartlepool United – 71 points.
No side in the last 12 seasons has finished 6th with more than 80 points or fewer than 69 points.
In 10 of the last 12 seasons, the teams who finished in 6th place had between 71 and 76 points.
The two exceptions were:
(1). In 2009/2010 when Huddersfield had 80 points, 7 more than 7th placed Southampton.
(2). In 2014/2015 when Chesterfield needed only 69 points to make the play-offs.
So the target for Bristol Rovers to ensure a play-off place this season is 75 points.
That is a challenging objective and would require 6 wins in 6 games by the end of the season.
What exactly does mid-table mean? Does it mean finishing in 12th place?
How many points are needed for a side to finish in 12th place?
Based on the last 7 seasons in Division ONE 12th place requires between 56 and 65 points.
Sides finishing in 12th position can expect to win 13-18 games while losing 13-20 games.
At present, Bristol Rovers have won 15 games and lost 13 games. Is this mid-table form?
2015/2016 Season
12th Port Vale – Played 46, Win 18, Draw 11, Loss 17, Points 65.
2014/2015 Season
12th Gillingham – Played 46, Win 16, Draw 14, Loss 16, Points 62.
2013/2014 Season
12th Bristol Sport – Played 46, Win 13, Draw 19, Loss 14, Points 58.
2012/2013 Season
12th Notts County – Played 46, Win 16, Draw 17, Loss 13, Points 65.
2011/2012 Season
12th Tranmere Rovers – Played 46, Win 14, Draw 14, Loss 18, Points 56.
2010/2011 Season
12th Carlisle United – Played 46, Win 16, Draw 11, Loss 19, Points 59.
2009/2010 Season
12th Milton Keynes Dons – Played 46, Win 17, Draw 9, Loss 20, Points 60.
Two wins and two draws might well produce 65 points and a probable 12th place or better.
Anything better than 8 points will probably mean a very creditable place in the top 10 at the end of the season.