If only we could score first more often

We've scored the first goal of the game on only 12 occasions this season in 30 games. Only Reading, Barnsley and Luton have managed this less often. Our record when we've scored first is decent - 8 wins, 3 draws and a defeat. That loss came in our opening game at Wigan. In fact, since the appointment of Neil Harris, we've won every league game when we've scored first, bar the home match against Millwall.

We've scored 12 equalising goals (only West Brom have scored more), so we have shown great resolve this season. Since Harris became boss, we've conceded the first goal in 7 league games but have lost only 2. In fact, only 3 other teams have won more points on average after they've conceded first.

The signs are good. We're winning a good ratio of points when we score first, have lots of resolve when we're behind and have a very good points ratio when we've conceded first. If we could rectify the issue of who scores first in games, there's no reason why this team couldn't make a bid for the playoffs.

If we could score the first goal in a game in 12 of our last 16 matches, given our previous record when we score first, we'd end up with 73 points. The points tally of the team in 6th is a bit low this season at this stage, so that could well be enough. If we keep our current form for conceding first, we won't get close.