Whilst looking at our league stats this lunchtime one thing jumped out at me…

Swindon haven’t scored first in a game since the 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday back in early December.

So that’s 12 games where Town haven’t secured the early advantage to at least give the team something to defend.

In this 12 game period we’ve won 1, drawn 4 and lost 7. Thereby taking a measly 7 points from 36 at 0.58 points per game, dropping from 14th to 21st in the process.

Also worryingly is the lack of first half goals in general. Just 3 have been scored in those 12 games against 10 first half goals scored by our opposition.

Compare all this to the first 19 games of the season, up to and including the Wednesday victory.

Town scored first 10 times, winning 6, drawing 6 and losing 7, taking  24 points at 1.26 points per game and scoring 13 first half goals.

Importantly, all of those 6 wins were as a result of Town scoring first! As for the other 4 games; 2 were drawn and 2 lost.

Remember last season?..

Town were so strong when scoring first, only losing after taking a lead for the first time in the final league game at Millwall.

So what’s clear is that when Town travel to Exeter City tonight, the onus is really on the team to make the first impression on the game, get the early goal and build from there to an essential victory.

Come On You Reds!